Last Thursday I attended a very successful open day run by the HDC planning staff to answer explain and answer any questions residents may have had about the new Design Framework for the private areas in the Havelock North CBD. Many residents took advantage of this opportunity to provide council staff with valuable feedback. Ideas ranged from “Do nothing and keep the status quo” (less than 10% of the replies), to “great ideas and concepts, well done”. My favourite quote, which I over heard, was “Havelock North has always been a very special, but it needs planning controls to keep it special”.

During this day many people also came up with the idea to close Middle Road, opposite the fountain, where many of the cafés are situated. I would love to hear peoples’ thoughts on that idea. Also last Thursday, Flaxmere Councillor Henare O’Keefe organised a white ribbon day in Hastings to send the message violence, especially against women, is not OK. As in Napier the previous Friday, a number of schools participated by providing musical items. I travelled over with a group of talented students from William Colenso College to watch them perform. Sadly the weather deteriorated and it began to rain. Therefore the concert had to be cut short. However the atmosphere was great and positive. Amazingly on the way back to school the weather was clear from Clive north!