Home > Archives > December 22nd Xmas Issue > Your Questions Answered - Volunteers help community develop
MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Your Questions Answered - Volunteers help community developAs this issue of the Focus hits the streets, visitors are arriving in the Kaipara in numbers. Holiday homes begin to fill, and in Mangawhai’s case, the resident population triples.
For those of you who were last in Mangawhai a year ago, you will notice some changes. Mangawhai is going through a period of growth, with residential housing activity strong for the second year in a row. In the public realm, St John’s is building its base in the Mangawhai Community Park. It is likely to be joined by the Fire Service. The skate park has further developed, thanks to the efforts of community members. The Museum opened earlier this month, again thanks to the efforts of many community volunteers. Mangawhai Community Park will continue to develop. A community group has been formed to advise on its development. A concept plan has been agreed. It will become a special and important park for recreation, arts and culture over time. The Kaipara District Council will invest in amenities to support it. Growth requires Council to plan. Ex-tensions to the reticulation system for the Mangawhai community wastewater scheme are now under consideration. A community advisory committee is assisting Council to make such decisions. The plant has capacity for many more hookups. Thank you to those who are volunteering their time to assist in these many ways. Engagement and volunteering is strong in all of our Kaipara communities. Council Offices The Council offices in Mangawhai Village have expanded since last year. Council’s building, planning, and regulatory teams are now stationed here. The office in Mangawhai also shares cus-tomer services with the Dargaville office. Please feel free to call in if you have any questions or suggestions to make. The Mangawhai office will close on December 24 and reopen on January 5. Council Governance Commissioners continue to govern the Kai-para District Council. We are working through matters historical that needed to be tidied up, and supporting Chief Ex-ecutive Dr Jill McPherson as she strengthens the organisation. Dealing to history has not been easy. For many years, the Council had not set its rates correct-ly. To attend to this, Parliament assisted Kaipara when it passed validation legislation in 2013. The Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Associa-tion challenged this process earlier this year in the High Court. Their challenge was unsuccessful. The Association is appealing the High Court’s decisions to the Court of Appeal. We urge the executive of the Association to review its decision. It is surely time to bring an end to this costly litigation and to work instead with the Commissioners and the community to enhance Mangawhai and its environment. Dealing to history also involves sheeting home accountability. We are taking legal action against Audit New Zealand, which we believe failed in its duties, and against the former Chief Executive. Over this holiday season, Council’s services will be tested again. Please assist where you can. If you are boating or swimming or surfing, please abide by the boat-ing and swimming safety rules. If you are enjoying the beaches and walking tracks, please do not litter. And if you are enjoying the New Year’s celebrations, please do so responsibly. If you wish to meet with me, I will be in Mangawhai on January 8 & 9. Please either email me to make a time, jrobert-son@kaipara.govt.nz, or call the Council offices on (09) 439 6756. Enjoy the attractions of the Kaipara, from the east to the west coasts, from Mangawhai through to the kauri forests. On behalf of the Commissioners and Council staff, Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. |