Local Happenings

Published as Issue No. 98

April 9, 2014

As advised in last night’s regular newsletter all the information for this special issue has been provided by the group formed in response to the proposal to build 13 houses on land on the eastern side of Houghton Bay Rd near the beach.

Norman

Many of us know that a Resource Consent Application for an intensive housing development consisting of 13 double level, three and four bedroom houses for 215 Houghton Bay Rd is currently being considered by Wellington City Council. In fact our community has had a couple of meetings with the developer to let them know our reservations with this scheme, some of which are:

• The density of housing is out of character with the area. Is there any other part of Houghton Valley that is the same size as the site at 215 Houghton Bay Rd with 13 houses on it?
• Overflowing drains are already an issue at the bottom of Houghton Bay Rd. Will the sewage and storm-water systems cope with all the extra run-off once most of the vegetation is removed from the steep site which is then re-covered in hard surfaces, like concrete and other non-porous building materials?
• The community wants to reduce run-off into Houghton Bay by lifting the stream. Will the extra run-off from the intensively built subdivision end up on the beach and in the Marine Reserve anyway?
• Parking is an issue because of all the traffic, including buses, that use Houghton Bay Rd from the round-about through to Hungerford Rd. Will leaseholders, tradesmen and visitors to the 13 lot subdivision park on the on the eastern side of the road causing traffic hazards complicated by a bus stop?
• The proposed landscape plan is not realistic. How can introduced plants grow to 10 metres when the present vegetation, which has taken 30 years to grow, doesn’t achieve that height in this harsh environment?

Our main concern is that we, as a community, have not been notified by WCC about this proposal. Why is the community being left out of the resource consent process? Our exclusion means we have no real input into the Council processes deciding whether or not to grant this Resource Consent.

If the applicants can satisfy the formal requirements for this Resource Consent, then Council has the power to approve the application without notifying anyone. Many of us have already made informal submissions to Council and the application has been on hold for more than 12 weeks with no deadline for the applicants to conform to. If we can further show that the applicants’ management of the formal requirements is not adequate, we can inform and influence Council’s decision to publicly notify the application which will give us the opportunity to be part of the resource consent process.

After serious consideration we decided to get a legal assessment of the proposal and our lawyer will soon make a submission to Council disclosing major issues and problems with the Resource Consent Application.

If Council chooses to ignore these legitimate matters and the Resource Consent Application is approved without notification, we can then ask for a Judicial Review of their decision. It is likely Council’s decision would be overturned and the Resource Consent Application would then be notified. The community can then be included in the notified resource consent process.

To proceed to the Judicial Review stage we first need to form an Incorporated Society. You don’t need to be a home owner or live in the direct area, but if you care about the environment here and if you support the steps we are taking and would like to discuss being part of this Incorporated Society please contact us.

Your involvement is important. If we work together as a community we can get this RCA notified.

Published as Issue No. 97

April 8, 2014

News from the Creek: The first practical steps have been taken to lift the Houghton Valley creek, after 70 years of coexisting with leachate pollution from the old tip.

• On Saturday ten people began clearing away rubbish and foliage to follow the streamlet flows from nine separate clear water springs from the western side of the valley.
• An unexpected bonus was the discovery of koura, native freshwater crayfish, a sign the water is clean and has enough food for them.

Transport Plan: The Greater Wellington Regional Council is further consulting Residents’ Associations on the draft regional public transport plan. The president of the Houghton Valley Progressive Association, Christine Fowler, will attend a meeting in Kilbirnie tomorrow night. Over the last two years locals have been active in shaping this plan as it affects the future of our bus services.

Why 13?: The number of houses proposed for a Houghton Valley Rd development created considerable concern at the end of last year and resulted in public meetings, one with the developer. Jacob, a member of the local group created as a result, commented:

“Our main concern is that we, as a community, have not been notified by WCC about this proposal. Why is the community being left out of the resource consent process? Our exclusion means we have no real input into the Council processes deciding whether or not to grant this Resource Consent.”

Tomorrow a full statement from Jacob and the group will be distributed as a special issue of the Newsletter. Earlier debate is on the website at http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/217/proposed-sub-division-for-13-houses-at-215-houghton-bay-rd- [Link not current].

Norman

Published as Issue No. 96

March 26, 2014

Word Famous: In Houghton Valley that is. Last Friday was the culmination of weeks of work and months of planning by local people who participated in an international, five day on-line symposium about … water. Their contribution was a multi-media presentation about Lifting the Creek. Links to this will be provided in the next newsletter, for starters see http://blog.water-wheel.net/ [Link not current].

The Winners?: “Senior public transport planner Alex Campbell said big winners would include residents in low-demand areas such as Owhiro Bay, Kowhai Park and Houghton Bay” – excerpt from Dominion Post article on March 15 about the bus review – http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/9830785/The-lines-are-coming-down

Norman

Published as Issue No. 95

March 12, 2014

Population growth: Freda Alexandra of Hornsey Rd was born on February 19, weighing in at 3.39 kg. Her bigger sisters, and parents are over the moon. [No photo attached] Last month the community gardeners received a visit from Lorna (b. January 24) of Houghton Bay Rd, Kerry and Philip’s first.

Lifting the Creek Project: Jan and Ella of Hungerford Rd advise the Waterwheel mailbox positioned opposite the Houghton Bay Road playground for around two weeks received 50+ postcards, written and drawn personal responses. Main themes included enthusiasm about the idea of lifting the creek, remembering its past health, the importance of a clean environment, and imaginaries of the future clean creek and thriving wildlife.

More water: Hornsey Rd residents have been meeting with the Council to discuss new water tanks on the Mt Albert ridge and associated landscaping and discharge. Council will provide a copy of the design proposals for distribution to the wider neighbourhood for feedback. Advised benefits include a more stable water supply and landscape improvements; issues involve discharge of 440,000 litres into the Te Kawakawa Commons garden basin.

Neighbours Day: (March 29/30) is about taking time to engage in small and local acts of neighbourliness to make New Zealand safe, fun and friendly places to live. [Link not current]. Anything planned in your neck of the woods?

Norman

Published as Issue No. 94

February 25, 2014

Good News: In response to community initiatives the Council will seek community advice on how to both solve the leachate problem on the beach and how the lifting of the creek might be the way to do this.

Local feedback proposes a meeting of interested parties as a good next step, so if you want to be involved, send us an email. Since this idea was raised two years ago there is an increased commitment to develop restoration solutions for the ‘Lifting the Creek’ and ‘Leachate’ projects. There are three areas of the Houghton Valley Website that address this:

• Leachate,
• Lifting the Creek
• http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/192/putawai-project-lifting-the-creek#Item_25 [Link not working]

Seeds of Community: The community garden has lots of broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage seedlings. If you would like some come next Sunday after 2 pm (gold coin koha).

Postcards: Reminder to ‘mail’ your postcard to the creek before this Friday 28.

House to Let: Four bedroom house in Houghton Bay, see http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/swap/discussion/237/house-to-let#Item_1 [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue No. 93

19 February, 2014

Lifting the Creek: You may have found a postcard in your letter box asking you and your family to write a message to the creek in Houghton Valley. This is part of an on-going series of activities and events around the ‘Lifting the Creek.’ The mail box (location shown on the card) will be ready to gratefully receive your messages from Wednesday morning 19 February to Friday morning 28 February. See more.

Information about a city council decision to investigate ‘Lifting the Creek’ will be in next week’s regular issue of the newsletter. This multi-faceted study will include addressing the leachate problem, explore creating a wetland and diverting ground springs before they reach the stormwater pipe under the landfill.

Norman

Published as Issue No. 92

February 11, 2014

Proposed Development: Coral and Jacob from Haewai Meadery have further information after talking with the Council. This includes how local people can register so they will be informed about what is happening at 215 Houghton Bay Rd, and also provide a statement of their concerns. See: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/217/proposed-sub-division-for-13-houses-at-215-houghton-bay-rd-#Item_15 [Link not working]

Historic walk: In Houghton Valley with David, Wellington Southern Bays Historical Society and Grant, Thursday, 20 February. Start at 6.30 pm at the junction of Houghton Bay Rd and Hornsey Rd and walk down the valley to the bay, showing old photos of the area as we walk. (If wet, postponed to Saturday, 22 at 2 pm). Ring Grant for more information.

Waterwheel symposium: On March 21, a group of local creatives will be making a presentation to a global audience about the ‘Lifting the Creek’ project. They will present their response to this project, what the creek means to them and what they would like to happen. If anyone has thoughts about this they would be welcome to join in at the weekly meetings at the studio, 67 Hungerford Rd  at 7 pm. Ring Grant for more information.

Who dunnit? Who built the two structures on the track between the playground and Buckley Rd. See photos at: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/234/architectural-sculptures#Item_1 [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue Number 91

January 29, 2014

Waterwheel Project: On March 21 local creative people will be presenting the ‘Lifting the Creek’ Project at an international symposium. They are busy creating new work which will be announced in the next newsletter. How the creek will actually be lifted is still a mystery for some, so a drawing has been produced.

Kae Miller Trust: The trust is seeking a volunteer wanted to help Brenda take care of the Alice Krebs Lodge. For further information please contact Brenda for further information. See more.

Dog Walker: Local teenager is keen to add to her four legged clientele and sustain her dog-walking hobby/ enterprise, see: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/swap/discussion/231/dog-walker [Link not working]

Creativity for Well-Being: Workshops begin Friday morning 14 February at the Studio 67 Hungerford Road, Houghton Bay 9.30 to 11.30. No art experience necessary. Contact Miranda for more information.

Te Kawakawa Commons working bee: Saturday morning 8 February, starting at 10 am. For further information contact Miranda

Norman

Published as Issue No. 90

January 14, 2014

Best wishes for 2014!

Communication: Information by and for the Houghton Valley Community is distributed via this two weekly newsletter, our website and our Facebook Group.

A call to local creatives: Get together for creative people in the Houghton Valley area is planned for Wednesday 22nd January, 7pm at Hungerford Rd. The aim is to consider: creative responses to ‘Lifting the Creek’, starting a local collective using local studio space, and a project called Waterwheel where locals can participate in an online international symposium on March 17th.

Working bee: Te Kawakawa Commons Saturday, January 18. 10 am start. Planting trees and weeding on the agenda, plus a great morning tea. All welcome.

Creativity for Well-Being: Workshops beginning Friday, February 14, from 9.30 to 11.30 am at the Studio, 67 Hungerford Road. Facilitated classes will provide space for self reflection and opportunities for expression through writing and art. Topics covered to include Beauty and Mystery, the Paradox of Opposites and Change and Transition. No art experience necessary, $15 or exchange. Ring Miranda for more information and to book a place.

Painting the Hall: Our community treasure the Community Hall is being painted this week by several locals who have generously donated their time. Stop by and have a look when you drive/walk/jog past.

http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/229/painting-the-houghton-valley-community-hall#Item_1 shows Piebe from Hungerford Rd and Ken from Hornsey Rd at work. [Link not working]

Norman

Published as Issue No. 89

December 17, 2013

Ice Cream: Brian of View Rd and friends will again be operating an ice cream stall from his garage in the run-up to Christmas. There’s a rumour he answered the call from locals of a certain age and came back from overseas just for this. Every evening from 6.30 pm, From Monday December 16 to Monday December 23 inclusive. See more.

Christmas Decorations: Brenda of Houghton Bay Rd has for more than 10 years put Christmas decorations in her window so the children playing in the playground opposite will enjoy them. See more.

Found Fishing Bag: strewn down the walkway to Lyall Bay (Houghton Terrace). If anyone is missing one.

Creek/Leachate Issues update: The Council is planning to carry out a feasibility study for the community initiative of ‘Lifting the Creek’ project in 2014 including the leachate issues on Houghton Bay beach. Locals will be involved in the consultation process.

Due to the large number of items for this issue the rest (below) have been highlighted, some with links to the website to read more:

• Kae Miller Trust/TRiG Meeting with Council: The November 29 meeting continued to explore how local people could take over stewardship of the View Rd South / Te Raekaihau Headland Reserve.
• Bus review: Implementation of the Wellington City Bus Review (WCBR) delayed.
• Hungerford and Houghton Bay Roads traffic issues update: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/203/planning-to-discourage-traffic-from-our-roads [link not working]
• 215 Houghton Bay Rd development update: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/217/proposed-sub-division-for-13-houses-at-215-houghton-bay-rd- [link not working]
• New installation: The propeller from the frigate HMNZAS Wellington (the ship lying in pieces on the seabed off Houghton Bay), is now permanently installed by the carpark at the beach. To see photo: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/226/ship-propellor [link not working]
• Recognition: For 30 years the upper part of Houghton Terrace has been planted and cared for by local resident Don King. At 81 Don, who lives next door to the public footpath down to Lyall Bay, still spends several hours a week looking after his many plantings. Last month he was named as November Community Champion by local MP Annette King. To see article: http://houghtonvalley.org.nz/forum/discussion/223/houghton-tce-garden#Item_1 [link not working]

In 2014: The next newsletter will come out in January. This year there has been no shortage of contributions about local events and issues for inclusion, a sign people are engaged with and building the Houghton Valley community. Well done to all.

Cheers, Norman (sent out by Grant in my absence)