Local Government Commission Listens to Raglan Community’s Representation Review Submissions

 

The Local Government Commission’s (LGC) determination released earlier this month makes changes to the Waikato District Council’s proposal to subdivide the community into a rural, urban split and also asks the council to include the three mesh blocks of Te Uku, Te Mata and Ruapuke that were initially excluded.


During the Representation Review process held in July last year, the Raglan Community Board along with local residents submitted to council requesting that the community be expanded to include six mesh blocks comprising rural land and the localities of Te Mata, Te Uku, and Okete. 


In its final proposal, the council only added three of the six requested meshblocks and created the urban and rural subdivisions explaining that it had proposed the subdivision to reflect a desire to maintain a rural voice.


This decision was appealed and at the LGC hearing RCB member Chris Rayner presented that Raglan rural and urban residents move between rural and urban areas for education, work, sports, and shopping, and have the strongest connection to Raglan as a whole rather than to rural or urban areas within Raglan.


“Chris Rayner did a really great job presenting at the hearings,” said Raglan Community Board Chair Gabrielle Parson.


Based on all the considerations, the LGC made the determination to include all six mesh blocks in the Raglan Community Board boundary as requested in the initial review. 

 

“There is little reason to exclude the additional three requested meshblocks from the Raglan Community area given that they all have strong connections with Raglan while sharing in common access to a different level of services in Hamilton. In this respect they are appropriately grouped as a community of interest,” the determination read.


The LGC determination means the Raglan Community Board will represent the additional communities of Te Uku, Te Mata and Ruapuke at the next local elections and residents from those communities will be able to vote to elect members to the community board.


While residents from the rural communities have always had the ability to stand for a seat on the RCB, Gabrielle says that it would be “great to have representation from the rural communities,” now that residents are able to vote.

 

Other RCB News:


Safety issues for pedestrians around the one-way bridge. Cyclist Nick Hammond has raised the question of safety for pedestrians and cyclists after being involved in an accident in the area. Gabrielle says that work is planned for the sea wall around the bridge area so this could be an opportunity to address footpath safety.


Wharf Project tender is due to be awarded on June 20th for walkway, pontoon and safety work. Resource consents have been submitted for the walkway and pontoon but these could take some time to be approved. In early May the draft Whāingaroa Harbour Study will be available for public feedback.


Opposition and support for the World Rally event were in evidence at a community meeting held this wednesday evening in the town hall. 


The World Rally Championship is planning to hold a rally in September around Raglan and the Whaanga coast.  A group of residents on the coast have long complained about the disruption caused by the event and they were present at the meeting. People interested in the economic gain from the event were also there showing their support. WDC will make a decision about the road closure consent.


Matariki Celebration and Public Holiday on Friday 24 June - Raglan Naturally is working with local organisations to plan a community potluck dinner or similar event.

You can listen to the full interview with Raglan Community Board Chair Gabrielle Parson below where she discusses Raglan Community Board issues.