Election Triggered for Raglan Community Board with Nine Candidates Standing

 

With local body elections looming and nominations closing at 12-noon today, councils around the country have been facing challenges with low turnout for people standing as candidates. Locally in Whāingaroa, an official election has been triggered with nine candidates standing for the six Raglan Community Board seats.

 

(listen to the full interview below:)

 

 

 

The candidates standing at the time of print are: Tony Oosten, Dennis Amoore, Kiri Binnersley, Chris Rayner, Satnam Bains, Selena Coombes, Jason Marinovich, Michelle Levy and Ross Wallis. Selena, Jason, Michelle and Ross are new candidates while the remaining five are returning board members.


“It’s so good to see current community board members throw their hat in the ring,'' says incumbent Raglan Ward Councillor Lisa Thomson who will also be standing for re-election.


Low candidate turnout has meant that positions have gone uncontested in past elections. Across 572 elections three years ago, 235 candidates were elected unopposed.


Wharf Receives Official Blessing

An early morning ceremony on Wednesday saw council staff, RCB and hapū representatives come together to officially bless the wharf works that are set to begin next week and includes construction of a new pontoon, walkway, kayak ramp, balustrade and maintenance work.


Price increases in building materials over the past few years has meant that the original costing for the western walkway needs to be reevaluated with more funding required to complete the walkway to the full specifications that were drafted.


Lisa says that the Raglan Community Board, particularly Dennis Amoore and Gabrielle Parson, have worked closely with council staff and contractors to help lead this project and they, “Should be proud of their achievements.”


Community Safety Hui

A hui held at the end of last month involving key stakeholders discussed ways to address community safety in Whāingaroa following a spate of crime. Convened by Kevin Holmes and Lisa Thomson, speakers involved Inspector William Loughrin, the area commander West Waikato and Senior Sergeant Brendan Bland.


Key takeaways from the hui included taking a holistic approach to community safety with the community taking collective responsibility. Police are also encouraging residents to report suspicious activity to police rather than posting only to social media. 


Inspector Loughrin said he is planning to apply to the Better Off Fund to purchase more security cameras for smaller communities across the wider Waikato - including Raglan. Inspector Loughrin said that he would be applying for funding for a high-tech Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera (ANPR)  to be placed at Te Uku to catch suspected criminals leaving Whāingaroa.


Inspector Loughrin also mentioned the challenges they faced with drink driving offences and the harm caused by alcohol and drugs in local communities. They said a collective focus was needed to support local police, and the community could help by volunteering for the Raglan Community Patrol and engaging with their local Neighbourhood Support networks.


 “Community safety involves all of us,” said Lisa.


World Rally Road Closure

In a 12-1 vote on Monday this week, councillors approved the closure of roads in the Raglan and Te Akau areas to allow the World Rally to take place on 29 September. 


As the only opposing councillor, Lisa says that she kept her mind open and understood people felt passionately about the event. For Lisa, it was about the bigger picture around climate issues as well as concerns raised by residents who would be affected by the road closures.


“The Whaanga Coast area is a significant natural landscape that is an incredible taonga area. You have that backdrop of that beautiful coastline and I’m sure that’s part of the reason the organisers are keen to have part of their race there,” says Lisa.


“There is a bigger picture though of the encouragement of fossil fuel extraction and I considered the bigger picture in my vote.”


Council to Enable Return of Raglan Airfield to Rightful Owners

At the full council meeting to be held Monday 15 August, a report will be presented to council seeking approval to engage with the Office for Māori Crown Relations (Te Arawhiti) and other relevant agencies to facilitate the return of the Raglan Airfield to its rightful

owners.


This action follows conversations that took place on the future of the airfield between WDC staff, Mayor Allan Sanson, Councillor Thomson, Mana Whenua (Ngati Maahanga, Newton Whaanau Trust & Papahua 1 and descendants of Te Kopua Block / Tainui O Tainui). More information is available at this link: https://www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/docs/default-source/meetings/agendas-2022/ccl-open-agenda-220815.pdf?sfvrsn=8e3460c8_1


The Local Alcohol Policy is currently open for review. The policy sets alcohol licensing criteria for when, where and how alcohol is sold in the district - like the opening time of local bottle stores. You can give your feedback at this link: https://shape.waikatodistrict.govt.nz/local-alcohol-policy


Consultation on Variation 3 to the Proposed Waikato District Plan - Enabling Housing Supply opens from 19 August 2022. Variation 3 sets the rules for land use, development and subdivision in the Waikato district and the proposed changes, required by central Government legislation, will enable more houses to be built in urban areas.


A memorial service for Bob MacLeod is being held at the Raglan Town Hall at 11am on Monday 22 August 2022.  The community is invited to attend, with family and friends, to remember Bob one year after passing. Overflow for attendees will be at the Raglan Club with a live feed from the Town Hall if the space is full.