Author: grant corbishley

Published as Issue No. 83

October 9, 2013

Know your Native plants: On Sunday October 13 at 2 pm, botanist Dr. Maggy Wassilieff from Island Bay will conduct a walking tour through the rainforest between the school and the Playcentre, pointing out what native plants are indigenous to this area and which ones will grow well in your garden. At 3 pm there will be afternoon tea in the adjacent community garden, gold coin koha or bring nibbles.

Hungerford Rd Traffic: Scott from Hungerford Rd reports on progress working with the Council on traffic issues and the result of the traffic count which provided evidence that too much traffic is using the road. More information. See the website forum discussion: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/203/planning-to-discourage-traffic-from-our-roads. [Link not working.]

Freedom camping: With input from other locals, Huib from View Rd put in a submission to the council last week on the freedom camping proposal as it relates to/affects Te Raekaihau Point and Princess Bay. See the website forum discussion: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/207/freedom-camping-on-the-south-coast. [Link not working.] He understands two other people from the area have also put in submissions

Te Kawakawa Commons: Working bee Sunday 13 October 10 am – 12 midday. Are you up for mulch spreading, planting and weeding? Come and join us next Sunday morning in the beautiful Commons for some community connection and a great morning tea.

Film Night: There will be no film night in October but watch this space in November for news about water management in Wellington starting with water tanks.

On the website: Local people are swapping and giving away items via the website. Thanks to Carolyn, Ian now has a new/old laptop to operate his webcam from View Road. Estelle is offering some furniture for people to borrow for a year or so at no cost.

HoughtonValley Progressive Association: HVPA President Christine from Buckley Rd advises the next meeting of the Houghton Association committee will be held on Sunday at 4 pm in the Community Hall.

Thinking about Photovoltaics? Through his energy efficiency work, Norman of View Rd has been contacted by Michelle Scott a Dunedin-based researcher wishing to talk to Houghton Valley residents thinking about installing, or who have already installed, PV panels. More details at http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussions [link not working]

Plenty On: As part of his research project about Houghton Valley, Grant from Hungerford Rd has observed this is the time when the community gets active; from this issue of the newsletter he is not wrong.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 82

30 September, 2013

This ‘between newsletters’ bulletin has been distributed to invite input to a submission to the City Council on a proposed by-law which would allow free camping on the Te Raekaihau Point, Princess Bay carpark. Huib from View Rd is coordinating a local submission and already has had some input. He writes:

“I was reading the Wellingtonian and saw that the city council camping by-laws are under review. Currently freedom camping is prohibited in Wellington but this ban is not legal and the council has to indicate areas where camping is prohibited and areas where it is restricted. The council is proposing allowing freedom (i.e. free) camping at Te Raekaihau Point, Princess Bay and Owhiro Bay, with a maximum of four nights, and toilet facilities to remain open overnight.

The deadline for submissions is 5 pm on 4 October. As one of the two proposed sites is located directly within our community in Houghton Bay, this change will have a direct implication for our community. I haven’t fully thought through the issues but we need to consider the impact of the proposal such as pollution, safety at night for residents, light pollution, parking, environmental damage etc.

The council had to put a ban on freedom camping at Baleana Bay in January of this year because 25-30 vehicles per night where parking there, having rowdy parties and preventing locals from using the beach, generating multiple noise complaints per week. However, the proposed site is significantly further away from residential houses and most campers are responsible and sensible individuals. I wonder whether others would have any opinions about this proposal and whether we should be putting in a community submission.”

Norman

Published as Issue No. 81

September 25, 2013

Action Plan: Ten local people met on Sunday to consider how to work together, and with the City Council and its water, stormwater, and wastewater services subsidiary Capacity [Now Wellington Water] to eliminate pollution in Houghton Bay. The pollution is caused by leachate from the former Houghton Valley tip, especially when it rains. Among the options under consideration are capturing water from several natural springs on the western side of the valley, to avoid overloading the stormwater system which then flows into the Bay.

This is linked to the idea of ‘Lifting the Creek’, piped for decades under the tip. There was agreement the solutions are likely to be complex and the problem will not be solved overnight. For further information go to our website.

Website: Over the last two weeks a number of people have used the just-launched website in a number of ways.

School Fair: Clipped from the school newsletter. “The time for the school fair is rapidly approaching – please donate any spare, outgrown, unloved clean clothes that are in good repair to the cause.” If you are new to the area and don’t have children at the school, this is a community event where many locals get involved, or at least roll up to support, eat, drink, buy. Saturday October 19, 10 am – 2 pm.

Grant and Norman

Published as Issue No. 80

September 11, 2013

‘We’ now have a website: www.houghtonvalley.org.nz has local information and opportunities for locals to communicate with each other. There are seven click and follow red dots on the homepage. Here is a brief description of how it works:

• Streaming: about the community; how it started; where to from here;
• Playing: information about the projects in the area (go to Ian’s webcam page for instance and get updates on the local weather);
• Remembering: historical photos, maps, stories and timeline;
• Gurgling: a forum to have you say;
• Gesturing: where you can swap and share;.
• Murmuring: to enter dates into the calendar;
• Weaving: all the contacts in the area we know about. Say what you think about the website on the forum or contacts page.

[NB The website is being upgraded in 2023, so now has slightly different pages.]

Film evening: All welcome to the next film night Wednesday 25 September 7.30 pm Houghton Valley School. Mind the Gap, a NZ documentary by award winning director Bryan Bruce, explores why the gap between rich and poor is widening faster in New Zealand than in most OECD countries and why this inequality affects us all. This documentary was recently shown on TV and the subject of follow-up discussion in the media, e.g. this week’s Listener.

Leachate discharge: Discharge into Houghton Bay continues to be featured in the media. Local people are considering how this might be addressed and are in discussion with the Council. See http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/Leachate/leachate.html

Lifting the Creek: As there has been a growing interest in this, a meeting is planned for the 22 September at the community garden at (3 pm). We will discuss what we can do to make it happen. If wet, we will make use of a school class room. http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/lifting%20the%20creek/lift_creek.html

Successful events: Houghton Valley Playcentre raised more than $4000 from its Annual Great Debate on August 29 at the Pines, more than 20 locals at a meeting at the school last week learned more from Matt King about how to make and maintain your own toilet in a civil defence emergency http://www.composttoilets.co.nz/, and on Sunday long standing resident Peter/Piebe of Piebe’s seat http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/playing/Seat%20for%20Pete/Seat-for-pete.html celebrated his 80^th birthday (a few days late) at afternoon tea at the Community Garden.

Norman and Grant

This newsletter goes out every 2 weeks to 180 households, to join email news@houghtonvalley.org.nz

Published as Issue No. 79

August 28, 2013

Hungerford Rd Traffic: On Monday morning eight Hungerford Rd west residents met with Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer and City Council Traffic and Roading Engineer Paul Barker to discuss traffic issues in Hungerford Rd. Several solutions were proposed, such as speed bumps, chicanes and plantings. Ray has pledged to make something happen and will be seeking a response from the engineers in mid September. For further information contact Rico.

Annual Great Debate – Reminder: Tomorrow the Houghton Valley Playcentre presents the Annual Great Debate: “You can trust a journalist, a blogger and a lobbyist but not a politician.” Thursday 29 August at the Pines (doors open from 7pm). The line-up this year includes Hon Annette King, Pinky Agnew, Jane Clifton, Brent Edwards, Heather du Plessis-Allan and David Townsend. Tickets are $20 and include a light supper. All proceeds go to Houghton Valley Playcentre. Tickets are available from Kathryn.

Houghton Valley Website: Will be launched in two weeks. Locals working on the site are just putting the finishing touches to it now. The website will provide opportunities for locals to communicate with each other and to discuss important issues. The site also has information on all the projects happening in the area, as well as a collection of historical photographs, information and maps. The launch coincides with the third birthday of this newsletter, which started in September 2010 as group email for the four community gardeners.

Grant and Norman

Published as Issue No. 78

August 14, 2013

Annual Great Debate: Houghton Valley Playcentre presents the Annual Great Debate: “You can trust a journalist, a blogger and a lobbyist but not a politician.” Thursday 29 August at the Pines (doors open from 7pm). The line-up this year includes Hon Annette King, Pinky Agnew, Jane Clifton, Brent Edwards, Heather du Plessis-Allan and David Townsend. Tickets are $20 and include a light supper. All proceeds go to Houghton Valley Playcentre. Tickets are available from Kathryn. Spread the word and support the Playcentre! [No attachment.]

Local Elections: A number of people followed up the item in the last newsletter and expressed interest in attending a local Meet the Candidates meeting for the local body elections – but not enough to justify a meeting in Houghton Valley. The good news is the Newtown Residents’ Association will hold a meeting, on Wednesday 4 September in St Anne’s Parish Hall, at the end of Emmett St. The Parish will be putting on supper at the end of the meeting. The Association is preparing questions for the candidates; e-mail yours to them with ELECTION QUESTIONS in the title line.

Neighbourhood Watch? Presently the community is a target for theft. A credit card was stolen from a vehicle and a ute stolen from the reserve end of View Road after the car alarm was disabled earlier the previous week by smothering it with a pillow. An attempt on another car at 2.30 am was thwarted by a car alarm. Rachel from Hungerford Rd says she and her neighbours are looking into setting up a neighbourhood watch.

Working Bee: TRiG working bee, this Saturday 2-5pm at the Alice Krebs Lodge

Emergency Planning: Wednesday 28 August 7.30pm Houghton Valley School. How would you go in an emergency? Dig a hole in the back yard? Port-a-loo? How about a composting toilet? Instead of the monthly film Matt King, who works with the Wellington Regional Emergency Office (WREMO) will cover the basics of building and maintaining your own compost toilet. A few simple steps allow you to build a simple toilet that can be set up inside, doesn’t smell and lasts for a period of time. He also has experience supporting Christchurch people with emergency toilets.

Back on line: If your reception for TVNZ has been gone for a while it might not be your own aerial. Houghton Bay services were restored after engineers powered up the transmitters serving the area. It seems a combination of problems have kept the electricity supply off since the storm until late last week.

Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 77

July 31, 2013

HVPA AGM: News from Houghton Valley Progressive Association AGM on Sunday.

• The hall continues to be well used by a range of organisations, revenue matching operating costs;
• $2,500 budgeted for exterior re-painting this summer, preparation work is largely completed. A working bee will be necessary to get the work done;
• The Association re-elected Christine Fowler as Chair; John Hodgson as Secretary; Hugh Leith as Treasurer;
• Judy Pore, Peibe Kooistra, Lesley McElwain, Grant Corbishley, Dave McArthur, Norman Smith and Ken Munro are the committee;
• Trish Leith has decided this will be her last year as Hall Manager. A tribute was paid for her enormous contribution to the hall and the community over the 15+ years she has been the Hall Manager and Hugh for his long standing contribution as Treasurer;
• Annual subscription remains at $10;
• It was agreed to pay the $100 (approx) cost for registering the Houghton Valley website being developed by local people.

Freedom Camping: Wellington City Council will shortly seek comments on possible changes at Freedom Camping sites around the city, one of which is Te Raekaihau Point. Proposals include leaving toilets open overnight.

Meet the candidates? Local body elections will be held on 12 October 2013 for the city and regional councils and DHBs. Larger suburbs (Island Bay is one) hold Meet the Candidates meetings to discuss local issues and put candidates under the microscope. Some Houghton Valley people have expressed a willingness to organise a local meeting if there is sufficient interest. If you might attend, for a couple of hours one weekday evening in September, just hit the return button on this newsletter. (It’s numbers they need, not names.)

Working Bee: The next TRiG working bee is this Saturday starting at the Alice Krebs Lodge at 2 p.m.

Norman and Grant

Published as Issue No. 76

July 15, 2013

Compost 1: Free to good home. Sarah of Houghton Bay Rd advises her household is producing more Bokashi compost than they can currently use in their garden. They are looking for a couple of people who can collect the compost buckets and put them in a warm place for 4-6 weeks (probably longer in this cold weather) until the compost is ready and then return the empty buckets. The idea would be that she would contact you when there was a bucket to collect – about one a week.

Compost 2: Calling all composters! Miranda from Hornsey Rd advises two short films on composting will feature in the next film night Wednesday 24 July 7.30 pm at Houghton Valley School. One of them, a master class with world famous composter Peter Proctor, is a must see. We hope to have speakers on composting toilets and domestic water tanks soon, so watch this space.

HV Progressive Association: The next quarterly meeting will also be the AGM. It will be held in the community hall at 4 p.m. on Sunday July 28. Membership costs $10 per year.

Celebration on the hill: TRiG tree planters and people interested to take a look inside Alice Krebs Lodge braved the elements on Saturday to head up the hill to the View Rd Park Reserve. On the occasion of Founder’s Day they learned from Brenda of View Rd something about the life of Kae Miller, whose work included the building of the lodge operated by the Trust that bears her name.

Donations of lemons needed: For making lemonade cordial and/or preserved lemons for selling at the next Houghton Valley School fair (funds being raised to repair and upgrade the very popular adventure playground) – contact Sarah.

Grant and Norman

Published as Issue No. 75

3 July, 2013

Kae Miller Founder’s Day: Saturday July 13 from 1 p.m. Sounds very formal but it’s an open invitation to spend part of the afternoon getting to know about everything that’s going on at the View Rd Reserve. There’s heaps, hope to see you there. [No attachment].

TRiG working bee: 2pm this Saturday near the Alice Krebs Lodge.

Has life returned to normal after the storm? The answer for many local people is a firm “Not yet.” Although in Houghton Valley the event was as big (or maybe bigger) than the Wahine storm, there have been no reports of people badly hurt. Bruised and knocked around possibly and traumatized likely, with weeks/months of home re-building, recovery and resettling. At least seven houses lost their roofs; others lost fences, garden sheds, garage doors and windows. Holes in walls appeared, power and phones/Internet loss was widespread. Many trees, especially Pines and Ngaio were knocked over. A car was damaged when a roof landed on it. Many stories of support have emerged, some heroic as people went searching (on their hands and knees) for their neighbours hiding in roofless homes unable to find safety.

It seems many people adopted the civil defence advice – stay indoors and care first for family and then offer help to those nearby – shelter, food and support. Since the Christchurch earthquake there have been two well attended local meetings to consider if and how a Houghton Valley support network could be created for such events, but it’s hard to envisage how any network beyond helping those next door could have worked two weeks ago.

Will another big southerly come through this year? Does anyone have suggestions about how as a community we might organise and prepare for whatever is next? What might you do differently? Your suggestions may help others. Email us or put them on the Facebook page.

Photo documentation of the storm has also been started on the Facebook page, so use your phone and send the photos there.

Accommodation wanted: My 38 year old son is moving back to Wellington and would like to live in the area. Do you have a studio, bed-sit, flat or shared house to rent? He would also be interested in house sitting. Miranda.

Norman and Grant

Thanks to Estelle of Buckley Rd for her posting on the Facebook page warning about the tree and fallen power lines etc in the vicinity of the Chinese events centre on Mt Albert.

Accommodation wanted: Bedsit or studio. House sitting also considered. Please ring Miranda.

Norman and Grant