PRESENT:   Robyn Roan (Chair), Peter Lochhead, Russell Williams, Winsome Griffin, Jo Gravit, Heather Lowes, (incoming treasurer) Beth Bowden, Shirley Sparks, Paula Hardy (incoming secretary), Jim Pringle, Lee Cooper, Judie Burton.

APOLOGIES: Helen Warren, Viv Edwards

MINUTES:   Minutes of meeting held 15 July 2004 were confirmed. Russell/Jo. Carried.

MATTERS ARISING:

Clark Road Intersection    Western Bays is aware of problem but not sure what to do about it as yet. A service request has been lodged. Transit has raised no objection. Currently looking at reducing speed limit in that area. Council says as many people would be for that as against it. They are look into changing the lines on the road, putting in a chevron area (pull in bay).

As far as the school bus stop is concerned, that could be moved into Bethlehem, perhaps could change the small garden areas there to accommodate another bus, could allocate whole changeover area to that. At present change at McGregors in morning and afternoons at Bethlehem. Transit want some input in this, say truck drivers against lowering speed limit. Council very open to discussion. There has been talk of using the Countdown carpark for the changeover, but could be objected to by the many parents who drive back over the Wairoa bridge. A pedestrian crossing at Clarke Road would be very unsafe. The secretary was asked to write to Malcolm Dry dale (Opus), giving support to the proposal to remark the section of the road and also in support of the Bethlehem plan.

Noticeboard:    Peter and Robyn had a meeting with the Lions. They are keen to go ahead. Council keen to get rid of noticeboard at Bethlehem and if no-one claims ownership of that, Heartland can have it. Still difficulty in defining where boundaries are. Peter will have a talk with Hall Committee and will send a letter to Council explaining the situation. Will also ring Frank Brown and find out when the Lions are able to do the work. We have money from the Council for this purpose which needs to be used.

Road Signs:    Nothing further at this stage.

Website:    Winsome requested that all committee members look at the site she has set up so far. Received letter from Kathy Webb (tabled) who said the site looked good. Robyn has been making enquiries. Heather had been to Committee awards and group had got award of $2,500 to set up a website. Winsome put a “What’s On?” on site and Kathy sent some aerial photographs (tabled). Would be good idea if areas co-ordinated their sites. Members to email Winsome with ideas. Addresses:    Te Puna Heartlands Website    Winsome    Te Puna School
Winsome requires photos of Te Puna, some available in Te Puna Centennial magazine (history of Te Puna). Jo suggested that the Website working group needs to work out the purpose of the website. It is to be closely allied with both Transit and the Council and every road featured. The Quarry has a very good website. It takes about 3 months to kick in metatags, and for search engines to Start up. The School has a number of photographs in their archives. Further down the track some form of editorial control needed as far as text, updating, quality, parameters needed.

Trustpower Awards:    Viv and Helen attended, enjoyed the evening and felt the awards were well justified.

Application for Council Grant:    Robyn will put this in, applying for $200.

Questionnaire:    Play Centre replied that they prefer to stick to bright colours, playground should be similar to the one in Te Puke.

FINANCIAL REPORT:    Auditor to be Randall Donne. Statement of Receipts & Payments tabled. Moved: Heather/Peter that statement is accepted.
Letter received from Incorporated Societies, copy to be returned. Heather will hold other 2 copies. Moved: Robyn/Peter that letter is sent to Randall Donne thanking him.
National Bank holding previous cherub books (Ratepayers), Peter will go into Bank to see them about that.

CORRESPONDENCE:
­Inward:    Letter dated 6 August 2004 from Registrar of Incorporated Societies (Ministry of Economic Development (Companies Office).
Outward:    Letter to be sent to Mark Bougen thanking him for his help with the brochure.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

1. Omokoroa Pipeline:
Jim Pringle reported that the sewerage pipeline has received the go-ahead.
Smart Growth-Te Puna structure plan for Te Puna very important as to what local community puts into it. Not a case of saying what we want but a case of researching options. It would be a worthwhile option for Te Puna to connect in. Serious health issues developing in Te Puna West (notifiable diseases). Need to get community onside to work with the Council and make sure working with Te Puna West community also. Would the new plan involve just Te Puna West or a larger area of Te Puna. As soon as area expands, more expense and greater numbers involved.
In Jim’s opinion waste and water should be separated. He has spent some time with Land Research. Water discharged from Tauranga so clean it “could be put into your whisky”. Vital to look at health factors, septic tanks are now settling tanks and no longer suitable.
Jo warned that Heartland should not do any jumping up and down at present as it would upset matters. Heartland should be stressing that the discharge issue must be Addressed with urgency, so important to get the community onside. The City Council can take the sewerage at the present time (running out 3 years ago, but period has period has been extended and can be increased further).
Jim stressed that the issue must be addressed within the community by following up on asking what this community wants. The committee felt people needed to be told to bring their tanks up to standard right now, not in 2005. Are people aware of how dangerous it is to swim at Te Puna West?
Jo suggested a general letter be sent to both Regional council and District Council as a follow-up to both councils asking what are the steps they are planning to take in view of summer approaching. The matter is clearly high priority for both councils – what is their policy on the funding? There are 140 people in Te Puna West – is it user pays?
It was agreed that we need to maintain a dialogue with both councils. Need a package of selections.
Jim said all sorts of options to be explored and we have to get the community holistically on board. It is necessary to make sure any relevant letters reach the councilors themselves plus a copy to the General Manager. Perhaps another meeting with workshopping could be held to explore the various options proposed.

United Group Representation:    Important to be part of this as it follows the philosophy of Heartland.
Representative group for the community. Initial meeting about 60 people attended (10 community groups).
Robyn suggested that all groups be written to, to ask for a report to see if there is any way we could help and thus giving them a voice.

Quarry Park:    Shirley reported they would like to apply for a grant to buy a piano which would hopefully be housed in the Te Puna Hall. It would cost in the vicinity of $5,000. Moved Robyn/Lee that Heartland to write a letter in support. Carried.

Meet the Candidates Meeting:    Also asking other Kaimai candidates and mayoral candidates.
Suggested date:  Tuesday 7 September at 7.30 in the School Hall.
Flyer to be sent out on Monday 23 August. Robyn to contact Returning Officers for addresses. Also meeting notice to be put in Te Puna News.

The meeting closed at 9.40pm.

Secretary : Judie Burton