One Warkworth – Big wins

It’s been an interesting and a very challenging year, and if we only look at the last part you could be forgiven for thinking it has been a really rough year, but let’s put it in perspective. The first part of the 2019/2020 financial year was looking quite rosy, the economy was stable and business for most was positive. One Warkworth had goals we wanted to achieve, and we had some really positive wins. These include …

Matakana link road

We convinced Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency that it had to be four lanes and the first sod was turned two weeks ago.

Hill Street

One Warkworth and the Transport Forum were committed to getting work on this started as soon as Matakana link road was finished. We almost had it across the line until Covid hit and it was put on the back burner, but we remain committed to getting it funded and started as soon as possible.

Business Improvement District (BID)

We believed that having a sustainably funded business association was the best option for our town. We got support to do this, with 88 per cent voting in favour.

We also had some great events last year. The Mahurangi Winter Festival of Lights lit up not just Warkworth, but also had events in Snells Beach and Leigh with over 6000 locals and visitors crowding in to the end of Baxter Street for the big finale. The Kowhai Festival had its 50th Anniversary, which culminated in the Huge Day Out on a beautiful sunny Sunday, with over 22,000 people flooding the main street.

The mayoral candidates meeting prior to Local Body elections was a very good if somewhat feisty event, as was the Local Board candidates event a week later. As we look back on these successes, we now need to look forward at goals the business association needs to achieve in its first year as a BID. To lead and drive these achievements, we need a strong skills-based and engaged governance committee. Our constitution also requires the committee to have a good spread of representatives from each of the business sectors, including retail, industrial/commercial, trades, and professional services. Our annual general meeting is coming up on September 9 and we are seeking nominations to fill up to 12 positions on the committee, from which will be appointed the chair, deputy chair, secretary and treasurer.

With funding for business association activities secure through the BID programme and a solid operational team, this is an exciting time to get involved in local governance. If you think you could be one of those people that can help drive Warkworth to its fullest potential, please contact me: murray@onewarkworth.co.nz

Murray Chapman, One Warkworth, Manager
www.onewarkworth.co.nz