There was much debate in the council this week over Waihemo Community Board’s (WCB) request to develop the site, an effluent field for nearby housing.
Councillors heard impassioned pleas from Waihemo Community Board deputy chairman Kerry Stevens and Hampden Community Energy (HCE) chairman Dugald MacTavish about the strategic and safety objectives for the proposal, during the public forum at the meeting.
Mr Stevens, speaking as a Hampden resident in favour of the WCB’s proposal, said the council’s job was to make a ‘‘strategic decision’’ about a community carpark benefiting not only the Hampden school but the entire community.
‘‘Empowering our people, and creating a place to thrive, that’s the big picture for the district ... this proposal should meet the council’s strategic objectives,’’ he said.
Stuart Barnes, a parent of former Hampden School pupils, who also spoke at the public forum, told attendees the school had worked for two years on road safety education, installing parallel parking lines and installing a 30km sign, but that safety issues were still rife.
‘‘It’s on your shoulders if there is the inevitable accident,’’ he said.
Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale and director of strategy, performance and design Joanne O’Neill commended the WCB for whatthey described as the high level of work that had been putinto the parking proposal.
Commercial and property lead Claire Foster meanwhile provided a report to councillors with additional information about the WCB’s proposal.
‘‘We are here to empower our communities and their boards to make decisions for their own community spaces,’’ Mrs Tavendale said.
Two blocks were approved to be developed into an unsealed community carpark.
Councillor Jim Hopkins raised questions that ultimately led to changes to one of the resolutions, that council required a ‘‘compliant effluent solution’’ to be funded by the HCE.
Another resolution noted the WCB approved funding of up to $15,000 from the Hampden Amenity Rate Account as a community contribution towards the construction of the proposed carpark.
Councillor Sven Thelning said he supported the proposal and was comfortable the HCE could cover any cost ‘‘if it was to arise’’.
Councillor John McCone did not support the parking proposal.
‘‘From a business perspective there is $600,000 retail value of the land and it’s a problem that the terms of the lease are for 34 years. This is prime real estate sitting there from a business perspective and why doesn’t the Ministry of Education buy it?’’ Cr McCone said.
HCE chairman Mr MacTavish said the land should be used for ‘‘public purposes rather than private sale’’.
Cr Hopkins voted against the resolution to approve the joint carpark, citing ‘‘affordability’’, as did Cr McCone due to what he believed were missed opportunities for ‘‘land-value’’.
Cr Holding also voted against the resolution, agreeing with Cr McCone on the question of why the Ministry of Education was not funding it.
The resolution to approve the carpark was carried 7-3. Cr Frans Schlack, who represents the Waihemo ward, abstained from voting.
