Pool, library top Picton wish list

Picton residents would like a swimming pool, a bigger public library, better routes for ferry traffic and maybe even a fountain off the foreshore.

These ideas were among the many that residents put forward at a community workshop on future growth held in Picton last night.

The convener, Urbanismplus director Kobus Mentz, said the 112- strong crowd was a better turnout than it had in Christchurch or Melbourne and double the number at the Blenheim workshop.

The Marlborough District Council appointed planning consultant Urbanismplus to help create an urban design plan for northern Marlborough. The Picton meeting followed one in Havelock the night before.

The large crowd was broken into about 12 groups to brainstorm suggestions on large tracing paper placed over maps of the Picton and surrounds area.

A proposal for a swimming pool received claps and cheers and it was quickly apparent that the crowd agreed that any location would do, as long as it was built.

The library was another hot topic, with agreement that it should stay in its current location, but needed to be expanded. It was suggested that it expand into the area occupied by a medical centre next door, if the medical centre could find another good location.

The need for a clean-air plan was another favourite, which also received claps and cheers when "get rid of the methyl bromide" came up on a number of sheets.

Traffic from the ferries was a hot topic, as the crowd discussed how to deal with traffic volumes, particularly heavy volumes in summer, and how to divert the tourists into the main central business district.

Waikawa Rd traffic, cycleways and footpaths were also canvassed.

An expanded bus service between Picton and Blenheim and a campaign to promote Picton as a dog-friendly place all drew a positive response.

There were a few light-hearted suggestions, including a fountain off the foreshore along with the suggestion that it could be incorporated into the plans for the new sewer outlet.

Urbanismplus would report back to the Marlborough District Council and then to the community in April.

At the end of the night, Mr Mentz said, "My head is full, so much passion shown here tonight, no disagreements and 70 per cent of what was put forward had a common theme".

- The Marlborough Express

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