september 2018

Hello <<First Name>>!

Welcome to spring and also welcome to our new Chairperson Barry Stewart. We are busy with many projects on the go, including setting up our new Environment Subcommittee and getting our rat trapping programme off the ground, read more on this below. We hope to see you at our next monthly meeting on Tuesday 11 September at 7:30pm at St Chads Church, 38 St Johns Rd where we will give an update on the things we are currently working towards, and also some recent successes.

Ward Boundary Changes

Due to population growth in Auckland's CBD, the Council is reviewing ward boundaries to ensure that they each have roughly the same population. As a result, it is proposed that part of St Johns be moved from the Orakei Ward into the Maungakiekie Ward - you can see the map here. While we understand why the boundaries are being reshuffled, we think there are better options than splitting up a suburb. Read more here.  

Housing NZ Update

We were pleased to have Housing NZ speak to our August monthly meeting about their developments in Meadowbank and St Johns. They also provided some background on how they decide what type of developments are planned for each site. You can view their presentation and read the meeting minutes on our website.

Pourewa Valley Clean Up

Come along to a local clean-up event in the regenerating native bush of the Pourewa Valley (behind Selwyn College) on Sunday 30 September from 1pm. This is being run as part of Keep NZ Beautiful Clean Up Week with Friends of Pourewa Valley. This area used to be a dump, and has a fair bit of big and small pieces of rubbish remaining and it is very satisfying to see all the random stuff get put in the skip. Strong footwear and clothing is recommended and some decent gardening gloves. The terrain is pretty rugged and if it is wet, it will be slippery so come prepared. Not suitable for young children. Meet in the rear carpark at the back of Barfoot Thompson Stadium. If cancelled due to rain we will post on our Facebook page.

Loving The New Crossing

The roadworks at the top of Meadowbank Road are now completed and we are very pleased to finally have a safe pedestrian crossing across that busy intersection. The Residents Association has been advocating for years for a safe crossing place on Meadowbank Road. Removing the left turning slip lane so the #782 bus can turn the corner has provided perfect timing to have the light-controlled crossing installed. 

We continue to work with the Orakei Local Board on the ambiguous speed table further down Meadowbank Road and advocate for this to be made a pedestrian crossing to improve safety, especially for the many school children that use this spot to get to and from school each day. 

AT Seeks Feedback on New Bus Network

What do you think of the new bus network? Love it or hate it? Auckland Transport invites people to email them with feedback to busreview@at.govt.nz. Auckland Transport will be reviewing the new network 3 months, 6 months and 12 months from 8 July and your feedback is important to that review process. If there is something you're not happy with make sure you let AT know about it! And drop us a line too at mbsjra@gmail.com so we know your concerns. Read more on the new bus network.

Summerset To Appeal 

In late July resource consent was declined for the proposed Summerset Retirement Village on Parsons Paddock. In the decision document there was general agreement that the site would be suitable for a retirement village but the panel found the proposed development would result in adverse effects which did not sufficiently balance the benefits. Summerset has given notice that it will appeal this decision. We will keep you informed of what happens as this progresses.  

Let's Get Trapping

As a part of our suburbs' contribution to bringing our unique native birds back, we are joining our neighbouring residents associations and making a limited number of rat traps available for loan. These are seriously great quality and made to the Eastern Bays Songbird Project specifications by our local Menz Shed. If you're keen to take part in this transformational project, or keen to register your own rat trap in our eradication project please drop us a line.

Waiatarua Reserve Planting Success

Many thanks to the Waiatarua Reserve Protection Society for organising another successful planting day earlier in August. It is great to see the areas planted each year growing bigger and filling out the native planting in the wetland. Thanks to the Orakei Local Board and Rotary Sunrise Club Ellerslie for their ongoing funding for the wetland project. 

Meadowbank and St Johns Needs You

We are looking for some people to fill the following roles so we can keep making our suburbs the most liveable in Auckland:

Treasurer
Memberships
Secretary

We are a relaxed group and appreciate any time that you can give. Each role can be split among a few people so if you are interested in finding out more please get in touch to find out more about the role. 

Orakei Boardwalk Railing Solution Found

We were very pleased to recieve the wonderful news about a resolution on the Orakei Boardwalk railings. Public consultation for the remaining two stages of the GI to Tamaki Drive Shared Pathway will go out in September, and when the railings for that are confirmed it will be applied to the Orakei Basin section too. We will let you know when this consultation opens and will be looking very carefully at all the proposed plans. Many thanks to everyone that was involved with getting to this point and Orakei Ward Councillor Desley Simpson for not giving up on a better solution. You can read her newsletter about it here.

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