Vote Castlecliff
Question 6: Candidate Response
What Our Candidates are Telling Us.
Question 6: Completing the Te PÅ«waha project includes establishing a community facility at the North Mole. Please explain your opinions about this and include your position on WDC funding.
James Newell: I support the port and mole rejuvenation.
Charlotte Melser: The proposed community facility at the North Mole was always in the communities rejuvenation plan. I am in full support of it and understand the requirement for WDC funding. I think it will be a very well-utilized community asset and an appropriate end destination for the Mountains to Sea bike trail.
Jenny Duncan: I encourage the funding of amenities at the North Mole. If funding can be secured from other than rates,i.e. grants, that is way better. Tourism funds are an option. So are Art funds. And NZTA subsidies. The amenities provided need to fit with our communities aspirations. Toilets, showers, fishing facilities and parking to enjoy this amazing location are essential.
Rob Vinsen: Obviously a Toilet in the area is necessary, but I like the idea of a Tidal Pool for safe swimming. A Tidal Pool adjacent to the North Mole would work well.
Julian Bailey (Rural Community Board - Kaitoke subdivision): I have been a resident in Castleciff since there were toilets at Morgan Street Beach, the Pavillion was brand new, and beauty pageants and Dig Ins were the things to do. All those facilities are now gone or defunct. If the feasibility study and argument for, support the creation of a ComFacility, I would lobby WDC Support. Is it in the District or Council Development Plan?
Rory Smith: A community facility at the North Mole makes a lot of sense. It also can become an effective endpoint for the Mountains to Sea, Te Awaroa national walkway and National Cycleway visitors. I would consider that a community facility at the North Mole would be good for all of Whanganui and many of its visitors therefore the funding would be looked at with a more universal criteria.
Alan Taylor - Horizons-Whanganui Constituency: While supporting this from the outside, I won’t comment on WDC funding. That would be inappropriate.
Glenda Brown: A community facility at the North Pole (if it is in the plan and budgeted for) is a great idea for the public to use - encouraging people to stay a while and enjoy the environment.
Scott Phillips: I haven’t had a lot of time to read through all the ideas and funding etc, but sorting the issues with a long-term focus is important. It is always better to do it properly in the first place so it doesn’t need re-doing.
Daniel (DC) Harding: A community facility at the North Mole has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid. I remember having a meal in Christchurch on New Brighton beach with a view of the beach – I remember thinking then – this is what we need. The New Brighton model is a great example of what we can have – a library, restaurant/café and a surf club (separate to surf life saving). Council would need to gather the overall voice of the community to determine if funding would be supported – however, on the surface, council could play a role in this. It could be at the development of partnership level where council negotiates with the central government around funding that aligns with growth policies of the provincial areas.
Ross Fallen: This would be a natural community-wide outcome (see question 10). I support ongoing council funding of the North Mole and adjacent coastal areas as well as historic buildings and cultural sites near the awa and coast. We need to look at our entire suburb and not become life addicted to just the coast as we are inland, urban, rural, industrial, and residential. We also need to develop greater capacity with funding grants through various agencies and foundations so that the facilities we offer such as the areas we fish, swim sail, where our children play, the sports we indulge in, safe parking and associated toilets and showers. And let’s not forget access for the disabled so that, they are not simply passive watchers from inside a car currently in notable parts of Castlecliff.
David Cotton - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: These are decisions for the community to make and again the role of a councillor to support
Andrew Tripe: At the time of writing this, I am trying to understand the commercial model for a completed Port project, so will have to await this information before responding. I am though supportive of any initiatives or projects which create connections within communities.
Kate Joblin: I don’t have a fixed opinion other than to say that it must be a community-led solution. With respectful discussion, a solution will be found that works.
Helen Craig: At a minimum, I’d like to see good fishing platforms on the north mole itself, a good carpark with viewing areas, toilets and good access to the beach. I’d like to see areas where popup catering can be provided. At the end of the North Mole, I’d like to see a statement sculpture as a great photo shoot for the end of the Mountains to Sea Trail and as a focal point for visitors to the area. None of this will be cheap, and Council will need to budget for these upgrades and work really hard to find funding from elsewhere also. This will not be cheap, and I don't believe there is any funding set aside for it yet.
Roy Brown: I am neither for nor against at this stage as I want to do more research and become better informed on this specifically. Again, for me my criteria in evaluating this is based on if it meets a real need and has the support of the community then it should be progressed. We need to use rate-payer funding carefully and prudently and at all times strive to reduce cost, eliminate wasted spend and only invest in projects which show real benefit and great outcomes for the community and city as a whole.
Rodd Trott: Assuming the facility stacks up as a viable commercial (not for profit) entity then go for it. ie it has a commercial base and will not become another financial liability to the community ratepayers. WDC should be helping with planning/fundraising and facilitating partnerships.
Michael Law: If the community backs this and there are enough benefits to be realised, then I see this as a popular and inclusive place for all of Whanganui.
Charlie Anderson: Again I need ideas from the community, but toilets and some sort of shelter would be a great start. Council should fully fund this, within reason, but well-planned public donations could raise huge amounts of cash.
Philippa Baker-Hogan: I strongly support a recreational safe swimming area off the river and some toilet facility/s in this area.
Council is a significant funder of Te Puwaha with a $12.5m cash contribution, as well as transferring $8.8m of Port Assets and $19m Harbour Endowment property to the project. WDCHL (Holdings), which will ultimately oversee our investment, really needs to step up and provide accurate, timely and strategic advice to Council to ensure we reap the financial and community benefit returns of this Joint Venture Partnership.
Dan Jackson: Any facility built at the mole has to be fit for purpose. It has to be attractive, hardy, resilient to vandalism and valued by the community. I believe community ideas should lead the design of any facility there and extensive consultation with all members of the community should take place before anything is built. I would support a good design for funding but it would have to make sense.
Phillip (Bear) Rewiti: Support ongoing investment in the area. Will look at ways central government can invest further.
Allan Wrigglesworth - Horizons, Whanganui Constituency: This is one of my stated intentions – if you read my profiles: to ensure that the Te Puwaha project continues including re-instating the Tanea bank and re-armouring the South Mole.
Hamish McDouall: I am supportive of increasing the accessibility to the North Mole. I’m not sure the current ‘car park’ is in the right place. I would prefer it set back from the beach and raised if that was possible. Toilets and showers would be superb. I can’t imagine a better place to view the sunset.
James Barron: The community views are well developed and need to be listened to. This is te Kaihau O Kupe, This is the climax of the Mountains to Sea journey of both Awa and folk on the shared pathway. This is a premier destination and the reserve classified as a Premier Park – of course, WDC funding should recognise and be commensurate with its importance.