Recycling , poorly maintained roads and a call for sports ground fees to stay at present levels were among issues raised yesterday when the Waitaki District Council began hearing verbal submissions on its 2016-17 annual plan.
Waihemo Community Board chairman Geoff Foote said the board was concerned the council would consider spending $222,000 on regulatory services improvements when the "roading network was at an all-time low''.
He called for the sealing of Craig Rd and Factory Rd, and asked for better maintenance of Duncan Rd, Katiki Lighthouse Rd, Nenthorn Rd, Golden Barr Rd, Taieri Peak Rd, Hughes Rd and Switchback Rd.
The Oamaru Steam and Rail Society's Harry Andrew told the council the society wanted to be part of the redevelopment at Oamaru Harbour and extending the railway tracks from the Red Sheds to the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony would increase the railway's prominence for international visitors.
"A Red Shed means nothing overseas,'' Mr Andrew said.
Helen Jansen, of Oamaru, said community events were "largely underwritten'' by volunteers. The Harbour St Jazz and Blues Festival, Steampunk New Zealand Festival and Victorian Heritage Celebrations were all large events that brought visitors and money into the district, she said. She asked the council to consider establishing a "co-ordinator'' position to "actively, meaningfully support the volunteers that have made these events the drawcards they have become''.
The Waitaki Valley Community Society's Carron Cossens spoke on the difficulties faced by the Kurow Museum and Information Centre, which now responds to 13,000 inquiries a year - a rise of 3000 over last year.
To move from the current "boutique provision of visitor information'' to new service-level standards required by Tourism Waitaki, staffing costs would rise by $72,800 and spending on infrastructure, such as an eftpos machine and Wi-Fi network, would require another $20,000. The council gives the society $10,000 a year at present.
Tony Brady, on behalf of 11 community sports organisations, asked the council to continue with its plan to maintain current sports users' fees and noted the end of the sponsorship agreement - worth $30,000 a year - with Whitestone Contracting for the naming rights at Whitestone Contracting Centennial Park, which expires this year.
Te Runanga o Moeraki, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and the Department of Conservation made a joint submission on Katiki Point and their plans to install a locking gate to deter people from using the park at night, and the need to upgrade the existing 30-year-old non-flushing toilet.
The Shag Point Ratepayers' Association's Kate White said a huge number of tourists was now visiting the area but there was nowhere to walk in the area. The association suggested the council consider converting the old railway line into a walkway.
CCS Disability Action Southern Region access co-ordinator Mary O'Brien's told the council some members of the community were unable to use the pool at the Waitaki Aquatic Centre because of safety concerns with the pool's hoists.
The submissions hearings continue tomorrow.
