Environment & Services Committee Media Briefs
5 December 2012

Ratepayer feedback sought on future of Makara Dam

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is seeking ratepayer feedback on options for the future of the Makara Dam.

Investigations have been underway to ensure the continued protection of the Makara Valley and Elsthorpe community from the risk of flooding, after a sinkhole was found in the face of the No. 1 Dam, Kokatewai Road, off Kairakau Road.

Several options have been put forward, including reinstatement of the dam and decommissioning the dam and improving stopbanks.

Today’s Environment & Services Committee recommended Council seek ratepayer feedback on the options through a special consultative process, with a hearing held to consider submissions early next year.
The recommendation will be considered by the full council next Wednesday.

Regional Open Spaces

A Regional Parks Network Plan has been developed to manage all the public recreational open spaces owned or administered by HBRC.

The plan is intended to be an overarching document covering all open spaces, with individual management plans to be developed for each area.

The aim of the plan is to allow HBRC to take a considered approach to the use and development of its open spaces for public recreation and enjoyment.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>