Council invests in playgrounds and Athletic Park car parking

Council’s Assets and Services Committee has approved $540,000 for local projects through its Land Subdivision Account, funded by levies charged to developers for reserves and community facilities.

The funding will see sun shade sails installed at the Mark Smith Reserve in Blenheim, new play equipment at Awarua Park in Spring Creek and the construction of a 56 space car park at Athletic Park in Blenheim.

Council’s Parks and Open Space Manager Jane Tito said this investment reflects the importance of recreational areas to our community and it will help to improve facilities to ensure they meet growing demand.

“Awarua Park currently features two aged pieces of play equipment. Council’s $200,000 investment will allow for infrastructure improvements and the addition of new play pieces, improving the experience and catering for the increased use of the park by the local Spring Creek

Prune hydrangeas with the experts

If you want a good show of hydrangea blooms in your garden next summer, then pop along to Pollard Park next Tuesday and learn from the experts.

Council gardeners demonstrating hydrangea pruning skills to local gardeners last winter children as well as visitors,” Ms Tito said.

“The Mark Smith Reserve in Blenheim, a popular rural themed play area, will also benefit from an additional $40,000 for the installation of sun shade sails. Currently there is no shade provision at this reserve so the shade sails will be a welcomed asset,” she said.

A $300,000 investment in car parking at Athletic Park comes on the heels on the increase in the number of people using that park.

“Council’s recently constructed sprint track coupled with regular use of the park by Marlborough Athletics, cycling, Special Olympics, physio therapy recovery, football, and others has seen an increase in the number of people using this multi-purpose facility,” Ms Tito said. To cater for this, a dedicated car parking area at the gateway from Brewer Street is required.”

“Council is also reviewing the use of Athletic Park and whether changing facilities may be required in the future,” she said.

This decision is subject to full Council ratification.

Taylor River catchment plantings win praise

More than 55,000 native plants have been planted on the banks of the Taylor River and its tributaries in recent years thanks to a joint initiative between Council and the Ministry for the Environment.

The aim of the Taylor River Catchment Improvement Project is to improve water quality in the Taylor River system, project lead

James Mills-Kelly said.

“As well as the plantings, more than 4,000 metres of fencing has been installed to protect riparian plantings,” he said. “The programme has exceeded milestone targets and has been extremely well received by landowners.”

The project received positive feedback the Ministry for the Environment who wrote to Mr Mills-Kelly congratulating him on the project’s completion.

“The Taylor River Catchment Improvement Project is an excellent example of a project which improves the management of freshwater bodies,” the Ministry said.

It also noted the good reputation the project attained within the community through word of mouth.

Mr Mills-Kelly said the project involved ongoing monitoring and documentation of rural and urban water quality in the Taylor River catchment.

“Last winter saw more than 14,000 native trees planted and favourable conditions meant plantings were growing well,” he said.

New tech hub gets funding boost

Marlborough’s new technology and innovation hub in Scott Street, Blenheim has received a boost from the Government’s $200 million Kānoa fund.

Acting Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced the $578,000 grant at the recent naming ceremony for Te Kahu o Waipuna, Marlborough’s new library and art gallery.

Hydrangeas are a versatile shrub that require little attention but careful pruning in winter will keep your plant in shape and helps produce better flowers.

Council’s gardening team are holding demonstrations at Pollard Park next Tuesday and will also be available to answer questions. Pruning will take place in the hydrangea garden next to the white summer house on Tuesday 25 July and there will be two sessions – the first from 9.00 am to 10.00 am and the second from 10.30 am to 11.30 am.

If it’s wet pruning sessions will be postponed to the following day.

Acting Mayor David Croad said the hub, due to open later this year, aimed to foster start-ups and boost the agritech sector, increase productivity and enhance local investment opportunities for entrepreneurs.

“The region’s business ecosystem needs a place where innovative companies can meet with aspiring entrepreneurs, scientists, technologists, investors and business support providers. It's very exciting that we've now reached this stage after two years of prep work.”

Council’s Economic Development team researched other models around New Zealand that serve as centres of innovation. The hub aims to help businesses create more value in Marlborough’s agritech sectors, support startups working on wellbeing and sustainability and create investment opportunity and highly-paid jobs in the region.

Sepuloni said the establishment of the tech and innovation hub would enable Marlborough businesses to build connections.

“It aims to support new businesses to collaborate and develop highly paid employment in Marlborough,” she said. “The investment not only brings creative returns but also financial ones.”

The Kānoa funding will enable Council to extend the scope of the original project, enhance the fit out, add a prototyping room with additional technology facilities and increase the activation programme, Mr Croad said.

“There is already steady interest from potential tenants and groups looking to hold events in the new space - we can’t wait to see this long planned project come to life,”he said.