Community matters

The Wallace Takitimu Community Board meeting held on 6 August featured a range of topics. Here’s a summary of key points to keep our community informed.

• Ohai Nightcaps & Districts Doctors House and Surgery Committee: The board has agreed in principle to wind up and distribute the fund back to the community. The final decision on how it will be divided amongst the community will be made at the board’s next meeting on 3 September.
•  Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees Bylaw: The board made a submission during the recent bylaw consultation process. An overview of the submissions received is being presented to Council on 27 August. Staff will then present issues and options to Council for deliberation on 29 September.
• Isla Bank War Memorial: Further restoration work needs to be undertaken on this memorial and the board is currently considering how best to fund this. A large amount of work has already been completed.
• Ohai Hall: The former Ohai CDA had started a process to upgrade the Ohai Hall, including replacing the windows, painting the supper room and purchasing new equipment. A recent grant of $10,000 from the Ohai Railway Fund committee has enabled this project to be completed.
• Funding from the Ohai Railway Fund has been received for two upcoming events in the Ohai and Nightcaps area – a Guy Fawkes display in Nightcaps later this year and the children’s Christmas party.
• Work to upgrade the water main on Main Street is almost completed by Wilson Contracting.
• The speed limit at the entry to Otautau (from the Riverton end) has been decreased from 70kmh to 50kmh following a speed limit bylaw and review by Council.

Community Partnership Fund

Following the launch of our Community Partnership Fund for Ardlussa, a successful meeting was held at Riversdale on 2 July. Remember applications for the Community Partnership Fund close on 30 September. Application forms are available on our  community partnership page or from SDC area offices.

District Initiatives Fund

Applications are also open for the new District Initiatives Fund. As part of the funding review process where it was decided to disestablish the Community Initiatives Fund and create the Community Partnership Fund (which his to be administered by Council’s nine community boards), a separate fund is also being retained for District wide initiatives. This will be allocated by the Community and Strategy committee.

The purpose of this fund is to support the development and implementation of initiatives within the Southland District of a scale which provides benefit to the whole District at least two community board areas. The first round closes on 30 September 2020 and the second on 31 March 2021. Application forms are available on the funding & grants page .

Sport NZ Resilience Fund

The Sport NZ Resilience Fund provides financial support for community-based organisations to cover fixed and operational costs. The first Community Resilience Fund closed on 19 June and generated valuable support to more than 1600 local and 300 regional organisations affiliated to Sport NZ national partners which were immediately impacted by Covid-19.

Sport NZ has analysed what was learnt during the operation period for this fund and has opted to run a second Community Resilience Fund. Again distributed by regional sports trusts, including Sport Southland, the new fund will be $10 million. Eligible organisations can apply for up to $25,000 in support. The fund closes 4 September. More information is available on the Sport Southland website www.sportsouthland.co.nz (external link) .

Nightcaps/Ohai news

Roots from some trees have been damaging graves at the Wairio Cemetery, so the trees have been removed. They will be replaced by rhododendrons. A picnic table will be installed at the cemetery entrance so visitors can enjoy views of the Takitimu Mountains. A water outlet has been requested as there is no water available currently for cleaning graves and watering flowers.
Several other projects are on the agenda.

Rhododendrons and native grasses are to be planted on the Dray section at the entrance to Nightcaps along with the Nightcaps noticeboard.
Bev Evans is calling for volunteers and handypeople with interior experience or knowledge to help with some projects to preserve Nightcaps mining relics and other stored objects. Contact Bev on (03) 225 7861 or 021 167 5378 if you can help.

The Opio Hall Committee has a new project under way which will add to the Heritage Corner history. Thanks to Trish Green and her team for this work.

Wairio is on the map again thanks to the new owners of the Takitimu Tavern. Well done! Residents and locals are encouraged to support this venture.

A fireworks display on Guy Fawkes night is being planned, with an open invitation to everyone in the Wallace Takitimu area to attend. Watch for further details.

A Nightcaps children’s Christmas party is being planned. Watch for details.

If you want to hire the Nightcaps Hall, contact Bev on (03) 225 7861 or 021 167 5378 of Pete on 027 763 7998.