My Hastings April 2012

My Hastings ISSUE 2 APRIL 12

Keep up with what’s happening in Hastings District

IT’S WHO WE ARE

meet our motorcycliNG librarian

WHAT’S ON

FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS MONTH

LONG TERM PLAN

have your say on the future of hastings

Soak up the view at Roy’s Hill

EXPLORE OUR PATHWAYS AT COUNTRY2COAST

find out how to register on page 4

have your SAY STONEYCROFT HOUSE HOW THIS GRAND OLD LADY GOT A MODERN DAY MAKE-OVER

vote for your favourite civic square design

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DRAFT LONG TERM PLAN

News

what’s going on in hastings

Upfront Our draft Long Term Plan has now been approved by Council and is ready for you to have your say. I encourage you to take a look at the Plan as it will provide the direction for council from 2012 to 2022.

Find out more about how you can have your say on these projects and more inside this issue of My Hastings.

Until next month,

Soak up the view at Roy’s Hill

We’ve focused on what you consider to be the most important issues that will improve our lifestyle here in the District.

The Plan includes details on the all-important upgrade of Civic Square, the new hockey stadium at the Sports Park, the proposed redevelopment of the Flaxmere town centre and reserve as well as projects which will enhance our local economy. This includes future development of the Whakatu industrial area.

Take the kids, a picnic, your bike and even the dog and explore Hastings’ newest park at Roy’s Hill.

With views as far as Cape Kidnappers on a good day, and over the Gimblett Gravels vineyards, the park boasts 10 hectares of native

trees, a nearly-completed cycle track and a viewing platform on top of the hill.

We’ve been a part of the project along with the Hastings Landmarks Trust and 12 local businesses who’ve become sponsors since 2009. This local sponsorship and

support helped with additional planting, irrigation, a carpark, picnic tables and an information board.

Roy’s Hill is situated off State Highway 50 near Ngatarawa Road - see you there!

It’s who we are Stoneycroft House gets a facelift Want to relive some of Hastings’ history?

Well now you can with the redevelopment of the 100-year-old Stoneycroft Homestead on Omahu Road.

There are 358 people living in Hawke’s Bay who work for us. This month we talked to Carla Crosbie, Hastings District Libraries Community Liaison and Promotions Coordinator, who loves taking her bike for a spin when she isn’t busy working for our libraries.

Educating and entertaining the community is what Carla does best. When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Carla told us it’s working with and for the community.

And it shows. Carla’s smile is infectious and is reflected in the world-class business men and

women, authors and educators she promotes to speak with you at the libraries.

Last month, Sir Bob Jones spoke about what books meant to him to a 140-strong audience.

There’s never a shortage of adult education classes; from learning how to use a cellphone or iPad, to how to change your car tyre or oil. And, if you want to keep the children entertained over the school holidays, Carla promotes popular programmes; from pirate shipwrecks to dragons and castle stories.

This is the stuff that makes Carla’s heart warm. Oh, and getting out on her husband’s Triumph Speed Triple motorbike. She also enjoys

taking her son out fishing.

And when she’s not frequenting our “boutique foodie places’’ you’re bound to find her nose buried in a book of the thriller or urban fantasy variety.

So where does this thrill-seeking, book-worm-goddess see herself in 20 years time? “I’ll still be at the Hastings District Libraries if they’ll have me. I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else’’.

Check out what our libraries can do for you by visiting www.hastingslibrary.co.nz or pop in and say ‘’hi’’ to Carla and give her a smile - you’re guaranteed to get one back.

An official opening of Stoneycroft House is yet to be scheduled. It wil not be held on 22nd April as previously advertised.

When Stoneycroft opens to the public, you’ll get to wander through the newly landscaped formal garden which includes a rose garden, new paving and history boards. Later this year, specimen trees and a heritage fruit grove will be planted.

The homestead has had five owners since it was built in 1875.

The last owners were Dr Diamond Allan Ballantyne and his wife, Sybil. Dr Ballantyne died in 1984 and his wife in 2003.

The homestead itself is occupied by the Hawke’s Bay Digital Archives Trust and is listed on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust register, as are the grounds. You’ll be able to walk through the house and see the work the Trust has been putting together.

The whole family will be entertained at the opening day. Meet Mayor Lawrence Yule, bounce on the bouncy castles and purchase some yummy food. See you there!

Sus’d tip of the month Save energy & money!

• • •

Insulate your hot water cylinder and pipes if they are warm to touch Turn off your hot water cylinder if you are going away for a week or more Close your curtains at dusk

Long Term Plan thE NEXT 10 YEARS

have your SAY

We need your feedback on the draft Long Term Plan. The Plan sets the direction for the Hastings District for the next 10 years.

Some of the key projects are highlighted on this page, but to find out more on the proposed projects go to www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz.

Civic Square

A whole new space to enjoy in Hastings

There you’ll find the full plan and you can have your say online.

We also encourage you to visit The Voicebox when it comes to your community where you can discuss the Plan with us in person: Hastings CBD

13 April

10am - 3.30pm

Haumoana Township

14 April

10am - 2pm

Farmers’ Market

15 April

8am - 11pm

Flaxmere Village

17 April

10am - 2pm

Nine designs have been selected as finalists of the Civic Square Idea Generation Competition.

Havelock North CBD

20 April

10am - 3.30pm

Havelock North CBD

21 April

9am - 12pm

We want to hear which design you like best and why. Visit www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz or wander into Hastings City Art Gallery between now and 4 May to see these three and the next six designs. Vote for your favourite and these results will play a part in the ultimate selection of the preferred design.

Hockey Park

The designers have all come up with concepts which will enhance the square’s open space and strengthen the public arts, culture and heritage experience.

Hockey Park planned for Hastings Hockey players and fans will be pleased to hear a new hockey stadium is being planned for the Hawke’s Bay Sports Park.

The new stadium will have national and international appeal and will also be a great training venue for Hastings players.

You’ll also be pleased to hear, that NZ Hockey is supportive of the new stadium and has indicated that the facility would host an international women’s tournament and two tests per year. The new stadium would feature a blue turf similar to the one which will be at used in this year’s

London Olympics. The international tournaments have the potential to inject $1.1m a year into our District.

As well as a full playing turf, the stadium would include a half -size practice turf, an 800 seat grandstand, media and player facilities and lighting which would allow the televising of evening matches.

A funding proposal for the hockey facility and other developments at the Sports Park has been included in our Long Term Plan - be sure to have your say at www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz.

Representation Review

We want you to have your say on the way our councillors are elected.

Before the 2013 local government elections, a representation review will determine whether the current ward system for electing Hastings District Councillors should remain and how many councillors are needed to represent you. Council will also decide whether or not to have any community boards.

For more information about the review and to have your say visit www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz or pick up an information pack from any of our Hastings District Libraries or from our Customer Service Centre.

The announcement of the preferred design will be made in late June. Funding for the project remains conditional on the public consultation process and its inclusion in the finalised Long Term Plan.

HOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY You can have your say on these projects and many more in the draft Long Term Plan until 4 May. To do this visit: • Pop into The Voicebox, coming to a place near you in April • Visit www.myvoicemychoice.co.nz For more information: • Read the summary of the plan sent to residents and use the tear off form provided • Visit your local library • Come to our offices, 207 Lyndon Road East, Hastings • Call us on 871 5044 and we’ll post the full plan to you

Landmarks History Talk

Sacred Hill Chill Pill

SpecSavers Hastings Half Marathon

Sunday 8 April 12 - 5pm Sacred Hill Riflemen’s Vineyard

TUESDAY 10 APRIL 5.30PM VENUE: HASTINGS LIBRARY SPEAKER: GUY WELLWOOD SUBJECT: ROBERT WELLWOOD, FIRST MAYOR OF HASTINGS

Cloth Nappy Workshop

Gold Cup Raceday

New Zealand Youth Choir

WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 6.30PM HASTINGS DISTRICT LIBRARY

SATURDAY 21 APRIL 12 - 5.30PM HAWKE’S BAY RACING CENTRE

SATURDAY 21 APRIL 7.30PM HAWKE’S BAY OPERA HOUSE

SUNDAY 15 APRIL 7.30AM ANDERSON PARK, HAVELOCK NORTH

Te Awanga Estate Sunday Sessions SUNDAY 15 APRIL 12PM - 6PM TE AWANGA ESTATE WINERY

Stoneycroft Homestead & Grounds Open Day SUNDAY 22 APRIL Stoneycroft Reserve – 901 Omahu Road (Cnr of Omahu Rd/SH 50A).

Entrance off Omahu Rd.

What’s on!

Real Women’s Series Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay Today Country 2 Coast 2012

SUNDAY 22 APRIL 9 - 12PM SILENI ESTATES

SUNDAY 29 APRIL 8 - 12PM CLIFTON BAY

For more information about events in Hastings District visit www.visithastings.co.nz.

For children’s school holiday programmes at our libraries, visit www.hastingslibrary.co.nz starting Wednesday 11 April.

Meet your councillors

If you wish to contact a councillor, please visit www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/councillors

MAYOR LAWRENCE YULE JP

DEPUTY MAYOR CYNTHIA BOWERS

COUNCILLOR HENARE O’KEEFE JP

COUNCILLOR JACOBY POULAIN

COUNCILLOR JOHN ROIL

COUNCILLOR KEVIN WATKINS

COUNCILLOR MARGARET TWIGG JP

COUNCILLOR MICK LESTER JP

COUNCILLOR ROD HEAPS

COUNCILLOR RU COLLIN

COUNCILLOR SANDRA HAZLEHURST

COUNCILLOR SCOTT HENDERSON

COUNCILLOR SIMON NIXON

COUNCILLOR TANIA KERR

COUNCILLOR WAYNE BRADSHAW

HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL 207 Lyndon Road East, Hastings 4122, Private Bag 9002, Hastings 4156 www.hastingsdc.govt.nz TE KAUNIHERA O HERETAUNGA