News

Our August newsletter has a ‘free and green’ theme – check out the list of the awesome free stuff available in our community.

We also update you on all things ‘green’ happening locally including free compost workshops, planting days, waste reduction workshops, clean-up days and more.

Read the newsletter at http://eepurl.com/bwdu2r

Waiatarua Reserve Protection Society had a planting day on Saturday 15th August.

Thanks to a team of around 40 keen diggers and planters from the Society,  Ellerslie Sunshine Rotary,  Conservation Volunteers and the local community, over 800 natives were placed, planted, and mulched.

Auckland Council assisted in providing equipment, and a much appreciated afternoon snack and juice for hungry and thirsty workers.

Yolanda Thorpe, Chair of the Society (pictured below) hopes the planting will encourage more native birds to the wetlands.

Support Waiatarua Reserve and keep up to date with their events at https://www.facebook.com/waiataruareserve.

Meadowbank School is looking for suitable plots of land to create a community garden.

The school has already earned the highest possible ‘beyond Green-Gold’ Enviroschools Award, and has a thriving Garden to Table programme. Now they are looking to further students’ learning and community spirit by forming a community garden.

They are looking for suitable plots of land (within walking distance of the school) in which to create the garden, and are also looking for people with gardening skills to help with setting up and running the garden.

If you can help, please contact Nicky Elmore on or 021 520 434.

Find your new rates, effective from 1 July 2015, using the Auckland Council’s Rates Calculator:

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/ratesbuildingproperty/ratesvaluations/ratespropertysearch/Pages/RatesSearch.aspx

On Wednesday 24 June we held the second Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association.

After the official business (see below for details) was concluded, we had several expert speakers present on the topic of local transport.

Councillor Cameron Brewer provided an introduction to the transport theme, with a macro view of projected population growth in the Auckland region. Main points:

• In addition to greenfield and infill housing, there are also significant apartment complexes planned for the CBD, all of which will put pressure on existing tranport options.
• In terms of Orakei Local Board area (within which Meadowbank and St Johns are included), we need more emphasis on feeder buses to get to rail transport links.
• Unfortunately, not a lot of ratepayers’ upcoming transport targeted rate will be spent within Orakei ward.

Orakei Local Board Chair Desley Simpson gave us the scoop on four important transport projects within Meadowbank and St Johns:

1. Hot off the press: Lights have been approved by Auckland Transport (AT) for the Grand Drive and Abbotts Way intersection. A roundabout was also considered. Full details available in the Memo Grand Drive Abbotts Way from Orakei Local Board.
2. The pedestrian entrance from Abbotts Way into Waiatarua Reserve will be tidied up.
3. Hot off the press: The government has approved funding for the Eastern Path (aka Tamaki Drive – Glen Innes shared walk/cycleway). Digging on the first section from Glen Innes to St Johns Rd will begin in July and is due to be completed next year.
4. T3 lanes (which are periodically up for review) will be kept along Remuera Rd.

Transport Planner from Auckland Transport, Lorraine Stone, presented about the Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for St Johns Rd and Remuera Rd (from Newmarket to College Rd roundabout). The CMP is a long-term (30 year) strategic document. Locals will be consulted on various projects as they arise.  See the full St Johns Rd/Remuera Rd Corridor Management Plan Presentation.

Local transport enthusiast Greg Nikoloff gave a fascinating presentation. He takes publicly available data about transport and turns it into graphics which speak volumes for current and future transport needs. To view his work, take a look at Greg Nikoloff’s “Past Present and ‘Back to the Future'” presentation.

Official business

Minutes from last year’s AGM were taken as read and accepted. The treasurer’s report was read and accepted. Committee members were approved including Ruth Mackintosh as Chair, Matthew Kelly as Treasurer and Lynda McCarthny as Secretary. A full list of new committee members can be found on our Committee page.

Thanks to our supporters

Countdown Meadowbank, Barfoot & Thompson Meadowbank, Orakei Local Board, Sealink and Meadowbank Corner Chemist.

Auckland Council is seeking submissions on its review of alcohol bans in public places. If you want to keep alcohol bans in place in your local parks and reserves, you need to prove to Auckland Council (through submissions and supporting evidence such as photos) that the ban should remain.

The reason for the review is that previously the Council could apply alcohol bans in similar types of public places (e.g. in all parks if there were problems in a few specific parks). However recent changes in the Local Government Act 2002 mean this approach is no longer possible. All alcohol bans must be assessed individually for evidence of high levels of alcohol-related crime or disorder occurring in the specific ban area.

How to have your say

The first step is to complete a written submission. We encourage the use of the submission form as it provides a prompt for the key information required. People may:

• complete an online submission form at shapeauckland.co.nz, OR
• complete a hard copy submission form (available from Orakei Local Board office in Meadowbank Mall) and either drop it in to us or return by freepost, OR
• provide their own written submission (this should cover off they key aspects outlined in the council submission form).

The written submission period is open now and closes on Friday 17 July 2015. Local board hearings and deliberations will occur August – September, with all final decisions to be made before 31 October 2015.

Orakei Local Board is revisiting dog access rules for Thomas Bloodworth Park, Shore Road Reserve, Wilson’s Beach, Ladies Bay, Churchill Park, Gentleman’s Bay, the foreshore between Glendowie Boating Club and Vista Crescent, and Orakei Basin West and East reserves.

Submissions open until Friday 17 July, 2015.

Visit the Dog Access Bylaw Review page on the Auckland Council website to review proposed changes to the rules and have your say.