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.
New Year alcohol-free zones and road closures
To ensure everyone has a great time at the beach over New Year, road closures and alcohol-free zones will again be in place at both Castlepoint and Riversdale Beach.
Alcohol-free zones
6pm Saturday 30 December 2024 until 6am Monday 1 January 2025
Road closures
4pm Sunday 31 December 2024 until 6am Monday 1 January 2025
People living within the road closure area, or renting accommodation, may be asked to provide proof of address to gain vehicular access. Vehicle use within the road closure area is also prohibited.
Two options for Local Water Done Well
Masterton District Council will now be consulting on two rather than three options for the future delivery of water services as part of the Government’s Local Water Done Well reforms.
On 4 December, the Council voted to revoke a decision from 13 November, and exit the Wellington Regional Model for the delivery of water services. Consultation in the first part of 2025 will now seek community views on two options:
- a combined Wairarapa and Tararua water services delivery joint arrangement (known as Wai + T), involving Masterton, Carterton, South Wairarapa, and Tararua district councils
- an enhanced status quo, in-house model, delivering against new Government requirements.
The estimated consultancy costs for Masterton if it remained part of the Wellington model were up to $192,000.
Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils had already decided to exit the Wellington regional model, and Tararua District Council decided last week to exit the Manawatu-Whanganui regional grouping.
Pools come with rules – and costs
Bargain hunters looking for low-cost swimming pools as summer hots up are being reminded that pools come with rules, and potential costs, around fencing and access, to keep them safe for young children.
The law requires pools intended for swimming that hold more than 400mm of water to be contained by a safety barrier or fence at least 1200mm high, to prevent access by a child under five years old. This includes temporary pools.
A building consent may be required for such a barrier/fence, with a fee of $440.
The Building Act requires councils, including Masterton District Council, 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, including temporary pools. The fee for inspections is $205.
Research by Water Safety NZ has found that home swimming pools pose the highest risk of drowning for children under five.
Silent night? Yeah right…
Masterton District Council’s Environmental Services team is reminding Masterton residents that a little consideration for neighbours will go a long way to achieving a quiet festive period.
In the 11 months to the end of November, there were 503 noise complaints, the majority for stereos.
October was the busiest month for complaints, with 55 received. A total of 17 excessive noise directions were issued, and three noise abatement notices issued.
An excessive noise direction means no excessive noise, audible outside the property, must be made for 72 hours.
A noise abatement notice can follow a number of excessive noise directions, and means no unreasonable noise, audible outside the property, can be made for six months.
Breaching an excessive noise direction can result in a $500 fine, and forfeiture of the noise-making equipment, while breaching an abatement notice can result in a $750 fine and permanent forfeiture of the equipment.
Water restrictions introduced
Lower flow levels in the Waingawa River, the source of Masterton’s drinking water, have triggered Masterton District Council water restrictions for the first time this summer.
Garden sprinklers may now only be used on alternate days – odd numbered houses on odd days, evens on even days. Restrictions when flows are low are required as part of the Council’s consent to take water from the river for Masterton.
Restrictions can be found on the Water Restrictions page and through the free Antenno app (available through the Apple Appstore and Google Play).
There are also Council billboards on Chapel Street, near the fire station, on Dixon Street, near Kuripuni, and at the entrance of the Masterton transfer station.
Three Waters Operations and Transition Manager Steve Watt said the start of restrictions was not unexpected.
“Masterton gardeners know how to manage conditions and keep their gardens growing,” he said.
“Restrictions will remain in place until the end of Summer – the end of March – even if we get rain before then.
“We want to avoid changes every time it rains, or we get a few dry few weeks, but if there is a sustained dry period there may be further limits on water use.”
Room at the Inn Christmas lunch
Room at the Inn Community Christmas lunch is running again for 2024 at the Trust House Recreation Centre on Christmas Day.
This free community lunch has been running since 2002, and is open to any person or family needing Christmas love and community on Christmas day.
The food is always plentiful and delicious! Guests arrive from 11:30am, with lunch starting at 12pm. No registration required.
Check out the lights!
Tis the season to check out some of the amazing house decorations put together by Masterton residents to celebrate Christmas.
Enoy the sights, and please respect people’s private property.
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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.
