Published as Issue No. 58
6 December, 2012
Welcome to the new members.
At the end of November for the the past ten years or more Brenda of Houghton Bay Rd has been putting up Christmas decorations for the children who come to the playground opposite her house. This year she had some great help from her two grandchildren, Liam and Megan (no photo). Many times in past years Brenda has found a note from children in her letterbox thanking her for making Christmas something special. (no photo)
Te Raekaihau Restoration Group: This Saturday we are having our walk along the Te Raekaihau headland. The plan is for the keen ones to meet at 1 pm to do a bit of tree releasing around the lookout, then about 2.30 pm we will take a stroll along the headland, with a diversion down the Ruru Track (it runs down to The Pines) to check out the gully for some under-storey planting next year. At the headland we shall celebrate the year’s work with an afternoon picnic, so bring some food and drink to share.
Te Kawakawa Opening Day: A reminder the Te Kawakawa Commons (Hornsey Rd) opening day is this Sunday 9 December starting 12 midday with the Mayor officially opening the garden at 12.30 pm (no poster attached).
Leachates into Houghton Bay: John of Island Bay says local and Island Bay people have long been aware of the pollution of Houghton Bay and in August the stench got to the point they wrote to the mayor. The question was just bounced to the Regional Council. Many further efforts gathered information that the City Council is required to do something, and is planning to do nothing. It is reported that there are two problems; continual leakage and occasions when the flow is too great and leachate, with mixed fresh water, is emptied into the bay. It seems that we need to find a solution and force the Council to take action. More about possible community action in the next newsletter.
Bus Review – latest meeting: Christine (President Houghton Valley Progressive Association) reports the local team who attended the recent meeting in Kilbirnie were pretty happy with the revised plans and the changes are looking positive for Houghton Valley and environs’ residents. Once the new draft maps are signed off they will be posted on the Greater Wellington Council website. We’ll also include them with a future newsletter.
Feedback on Intersection: Whatever improvement have been made at the intersection cars are still travelling too fast once they have passed through. Local feedback sought in the last newsletter:
- ” … acceleration to extremely high speed once they pass the roundabout, this is worrying in any case but particularly so with children often in the vicinity.”
- ” … definitely too fast given that there is a school, park and play centre on that road, cars drive way too fast. Speed bumps would be great!”
Next steps to engage with council under consideration.
Regards, Norman and Grant