GBG Meeting Notes - 24 November

Held at: Suburban Club 24 November 8am

Welcome from Dot, Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce.

Council represented by Sophie Kelly and Antony Hodgson, Technical Director.

Sophie and Antony immediately began by answering the questions the GBG had provided to them. They also advised on the regulatory aspects of the event.

Here are the issues as they were discussed:

Tickets

Will be available from:

  • BioPaints
  • City Council
  • Tasman District Council
  • Libraries

It was asked if the tickets would be available on line. This was seen as being a very important option. This option is being discussed between NCC, BioPaints and Blueberry IT later this week.

Left over tickets will be at available at the gate on the day.

Nelmac look after the hanging baskets but the council is asking them about availability.

Antony put up an aerial view of the park showing designated areas.

Fencing

Will be 1.8 meters high and will go up on Friday the 12th. It will not be locked down until Saturday afternoon approx 2pm when rehearsals will be taking place. You will be able to wander through as normal up until then. The idea is that the area is contained and special as a concert would be and not open to view from outside the park.

Existing concession holders were concerned that they could not access power and that the positioning of the gates cut them off from the event. They were assured that power would not be affected.

The Food Stall / Toilet block area inside the park is beach side from left of entrance to back of park at the Tennis Courts. Stall holders pay a fee to be there. Sophie suggested that it was maybe $100 but would give the details of the person who runs the contract.

Tony advised that he would pay for those existing concession holders, to be inside the event if they wished. Antony suggested it was wise to think it through. The 3 entrance/exit points gave good access to open park and playground area that children and parents can make good use of during the early evening. Traditionally once it gets dark, everyone comes back into the grounds and settles down for the evening entertainment. It was stressed that these areas were not a babysitting zone and children were the responsibility of their parents. The Tahuna Holiday Park people , who had suggested making a 9 hole golf course felt there was no need if these areas were still open for use. Traditionally once it’s dark that when everyone comes back into the grounds and settles down for the evening entertainments.

There are 3 Entrances. They are broad openings. At the end of the event the fencing will be opened up creating more exit points for easy departure.

Concern was expressed at the positioning of the gates not giving good access to the public to local businesses. The opening up of the fencing at the end of the event will solve end of evening departure and access to those businesses.

Stage is set near the corner Park entrance at Beach Rd and Waikare St Facing out to sea. This addresses noise control issues.

An Arts Twilight Market area is proposed Park side, back of stage by the trees of stage near the Tennis Courts. It is a beautiful area but not suitable to watch the concert from.

Fireworks

A large grassed area is zoned for fireworks at the Rocks Rd end. In this closer position it means an elegant, cascading, lyrical spectacle, choreographed to music can be produced.. Not just big bangs. There will be bangs more like punctuation during the show. It will last 7 – 9 minutes. Permission has been sort with the airport. Having it this way should be the least disruptive for Natureland.

Parking/Roading

Accessing existing parking will be at the gate at Ocean Lodge. Approx 700 to 1000 parks.

Beach Road will be closed 1 hour before the gates open at 4pm. From the traffic lights at Tahuna to the back gate at Waikare St.

Concern was expressed at the affect this would have on traffic flow and access to the Holiday Park. The question was asked whether the route could be altered on GPS as most tourist vans used that. Re routing will have to be through Muritai St. Could there be controlled access provided for those going to the Motels on Beach Rd.

Buses from Richmond have easy access. From Nelson a drop off point needs Is a little more problematic.

Park and Ride from various points have been suggested. Auckland Point School and Tahunanui School. Centennial Park was suggested because of easy ramp access that could provide 100 parks. With regard to Mitre 10 or WOW parking. Concern was expressed by the council at time it would take and number of buses required to shuttle people back to their cars. It was suggested there could be a planned area of queuing for shuttles and buses as some have seen at the Riccarton Races. This could be an opportunity to entertain the crowd or for other sellers e.g. flowers food etc.

Council suggested there could be a charge for parking and this would to go to a charity. The Charity would run the parking and provide security for the area. Tony questioned free tickets to the concert and then charging people for the parking. It was suggested it be a gold coin donation only and if people didn’t want to pay per car they didn’t need too. It was pointed out that mostly people were happy too.

The council are responsible for the security of the event and will talk to the police with regards to any areas of concern and how long to patrol the area after the event.

Summing Up

The meeting finished on a positive note, with the Council saying how good it was to see the enthusiasm for the event from businesses, and participants saying it was good to have their questions answered.
It was suggested that now that the practicalities are being addressed it is time to get GBG members to begin coming up with ideas for their businesses.