| 2023: What will the year ahead bring? On behalf of Murray Chapman and his team, and the One Mahurangi Committee, I wish everyone a very happy New Year. To date, the weather had not been what had been anticipated but let’s hope for improved weather for the remainder of summer and autumn. Firstly I am sure that everyone will join me in wishing Murray a quick and full recovery. Murray had a heart scare just before Christmas but is now well-advanced in his recovery. However, following doctors’ orders, he will be taking things very easy for the next week or so – he’ll be back to the bubbly Murray we all know and love in no time. Despite the initial bad weather, the town has been humming with international and out-of-town visitors. The cafes are at near bursting point during the middle of the day, and the Warkworth Information Centre volunteers have been run off their feet. This is very encouraging and we hope that the uptake in visitors is also being reflected in all the retail and services benefitting from this. A number of queries have also come from new residents to Warkworth, requesting contacts for professional services, schools, banks, tradies etc. Warkworth is on the cusp of rapid population growth, so many new opportunities will be available for businesses to grow and innovate this year and in the coming years. It is potentially a very exciting future, and we will be available to offer support and advice where appropriate. Make sure you contact Alison Hitchock, Manager of the Warkworth Information Centre, if you would like to discuss promotional opportunities at the centre for your local business. One Mahurangi continues our advocacy role on behalf of the community. We are currently working with Community groups, the Police and the Local Community Board on security issues following the tragic event that occurred before Christmas involving a local resident and boy racers. Similar anti-social behaviour has occurred in other parts of Warkworth since and we are looking to develop a comprehensive plan for the location of CCTV cameras around town. Hill St remains a priority and we are seeking support from the wider community for an alternative proposal for the design of the new intersection. We are hoping to present it to Mayor Wayne Brown when we meet with him on 31 January. We will also raise with him the need for Council and its agencies to collaboratively engage with local communities on these important transport and infrastructural issues. We are currently engaged with Council and Watercare on a number of other projects which we will inform you about in more detail as they evolve. Once Murray is back to full fitness, we will inform you of our events programme for the year, with the running of specialist business focussed forums back on our Agenda. In the meantime, enjoy the remainder of the holiday period, take time to pause and reflect on both business and personal priorities and take care.  Dave Stott Co-Chair, One Mahurangi Business Association www.onemahurangi.co.nz |
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