Masterton Monthly Wrap
The Masterton Monthly Wrap is a roundup of what the Council has been working on over the last month and what's coming up in our calendar.
Accessibility improvements for McJorrow Park playground
Masterton District Council has begun work to improve accessibility at McJorrow Park playground, removing an area of bark chip and replacing it with a soft pour flexi surface.
A path is also being introduced as part of improving access for people with mobility limitations to the Lilypad swing. The work is being paid for using a $28,000 grant from the Trust House Foundation. There will also be two interactive play panels installed.
Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.
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LTP submissions go past 800
A total of 837 submissions were received on the Council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-34 consultation document, more than the total combined submissions received for the LTP consultations in 2018 (339) and 2021 (346).
And with 89 submitters wanting to express their views in person to the Council, an extra day has been added to the hearings process.
Mayor Gary Caffell thanked the community for engaging with the process.
“Staff and elected members did a great job to make people aware of what has been proposed in the consultation document and we have received a lot of feedback about how readable and clear the document was. I want to thank everyone who has made a submission. Of course, the hard work is just beginning.”
Hearings will be held from Wednesday 22 May until Friday. Final numbers will depend on those who take up the offer to speak.
All submissions will be available in the agenda for the deliberations meeting by the Council, to be held on 5 June. The agenda is scheduled to be online on 3 June.
Following the deliberations meeting, the Council will meet on 26 June to adopt the long-term plan.
Pool inspections continuing
Pools come with rules around fencing and access, and Masterton District Council will be continuing pool inspections next month.
A leaflet drop will be carried out in areas in which inspections are planned. This will include information on how to book a time to be present for the inspection, if desired.
Section 165D of the Building Act requires councils to inspect pools every three years to make sure they meet requirements, with warranted Council staff entitled to enter properties to inspect pools at any time.
All pools intended for swimming that hold more than 400mm of water need a building consent for the safety barrier (fence).
Requirements for pool fences are explained on the Swimming Pool webpage.
Common ways in which pool fencing fails Building Act requirements:
- the gate does not close automatically
- the fence has deteriorated, with gaps allowing access or climbing
- vegetation near the fence, inside or outside, provides assistance to climbing
- temporary pools purchased without consideration of fencing requirements.
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Dog registration fees unchanged
Dog owners can celebrate unchanged registration fees for 2024/25 following the Council’s decision to spread the cost of animal control activities from a 20 per cent contribution from general ratepayers to a 30 per cent share of the cost. However, dogs that are impounded will incur increased costs for their owners.
The unchanged fees are:
Responsible owner | $82.00 (25% discount) |
Urban Neutered | $109.00 |
Urban Entire | $188.00 |
Permit Breeder | $109.00 |
Rural 1st Dog | $109.00 |
Rural 2nd and Subsequent | $29.00 |
Dangerous Neutered | $163.50 |
Disability assist | No cost |
Dog in approved foster care | No cost |
The following fees will apply from 1 July
Service | Current Fee | New Fee |
Poundage Fee: First impounding (registered) | $75 | $82.50 |
First impounding (unregistered) | $75 | $100 |
Second impounding | $150 | $165 |
Third and subsequent impounding (within 12 months) | $200 | $220 |
Sustenance fee (per day) | $25 | $27.50 |
Surrender of dog (acceptance must be on prior approval) | $300 | $330 |
Micro-chipping of Masterton registered dog | $20 | $22 |
Application for Permit - keep more than two dogs in urban area | $65 | $65 |
Replacement registration tag | $5 | $7 |
Dog seizure fees | $150 | $165 |
Afterhours dog release (additional to impounding fees) | $150 | $165 |
Bark collar hire (2 week hire, plus bond) | $23+$23 | $23+$23 |
Administration rate (per hour) | $125 | |
Officer rate (per hour) | $190 |
What’s On
Wednesday 22 - Friday 24 May
9am Long-Term Plan hearings
Friday 24 May
12noon Winter firewood giveaway closes - for details check instragram or your email inbox if you are signed up for our emails
4pm Applications close to be included on the Matariki Follow the Stars grants and to be included in the calendar
Wednesday 29 May
3pm Infrastructure and Services Committee meeting
Monday 3 June - King’s Birthday
Wednesday 5 June
9am Council meeting to deliberate on the Long-Term Plan
Monday 24 June
Matariki Follow the Stars events begin
Wednesday 26 June
9am Council meeting
Friday 28 June - Matariki holiday observed
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If you would like to read monthly wraps from 2023 and earlier, you can request them by emailing communications@mstn.govt.nz.