I have lived in Tawa for the past 29 years, firstly in Linden and more recently in Redwood.   I am married with two adult children.   I work in the telecommunications industry in the city and commute by train.

 

I am standing for the Tawa Community Board to further my interest in contributing to our local community.   I already have a strong involvement in several local organisations; as president of Friends of Tawa Bush Reserves, president of the Wellington Male Voice Choir that meets in Tawa, as a committee member of the Tawa Historical Association and Tawa Progressive and Ratepayers Assn, and as a member of the Rotary Club of Tawa and the Tawa Anglican Church.

 

I believe that Tawa should continue to develop as a suburb of Wellington City while retaining its village-like strong community atmosphere and its rural outlook.

Top 5 Issues

1. Our Future Wellington
   
   Whether you like it or not there are likely to be further electoral reforms for local authorities and I think it is important that there remains opportunities for local people and local communities to be able to have their say heard, and the needs of specific areas addressed.
   
   You have this opportunity today through supporting your Community Board.
   
   I am keen to ensure that this avenues for community participation continues to be available to the Tawa community.
2. Tawa Village growth
   
   I'm not in favour of random in-fill housing in residential areas. However, the business commerical area of Tawa needs more support from the community if it is going to survive in the longer term against the much larger developments in Porirua and Johnsonville. Therefore I envisage a time when more intensive building over the flat area in the immediate vicinity of the existing commercial centres should be encouraged - and this may include residential apartment style buildings. The existing commercial zoning already allows 4 story buildings.
3. Additional Park and Ride Capacity
   
   The regional council has already committed a very large amount of money to upgrading the suburban rail network and rolling stock. We should be encouraging all Wellington region residents to make much greater use of this wonderful public transport network that is the envy of other NZ cities. However, Tawa residents are constrained already by the existing Park&Ride facilities available with Takapu Road, Redwood, Tawa and Linden car parks all often full on weekdays. This situation is only going to get worse when train patronage picks up again as the new trains come into service and as increased residential development beyond Grenada North and Churton Park bring more Park&Ride cars to Takapu Road station. We need more Park&Ride car park capacity at all of the Tawa stations.
4. Protect our Rural Outlook
   
   A feature of Tawa, which is highly valued by the local residents, is its rural landscape outlook. However, development marches on. Within the next 5-10 years the pine trees of Spicer Forest and the private forest above Kiwi Crescent will be harvested.
   
   What do Tawa residents want - a green vegetation outlook - or a repeat of the Bing Lucas residential development on the western hills. Keep it Green I say.
5. Friendly Community
   
   Another feature of Tawa, is its friendly community and wealth of community resources in the Tawa Community Centres, Recreation Centre, Swimming Pool, Bike Park and sports grounds, etc. I believe that we need to continue to give support to our local organisations, and their volunteers, that use these facilities and create opportunities for community involvement to maintain the friendly Tawa.
   
   I am also very supportive of the proposed Porirua Stream Walkway and Cycleway and hope that development of this facility will commence soon. This will provide a valuable addition to the recreation and transport facilities of Tawa.

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