Waiake pontoon in place
The kayak launching pontoon down at Waiake is now complete. This is a Local Board funded initiative and will provide people with greater access to the estuary. This is a great example where a vision started with the local community and they worked with the Local Board to feed into their work programme planning.
Photo by Bill Ellis
The Deep Creek Restoration Society volunteers are hard at work with regular planting and weeding working bees. To get involved, contact Brian Mooney at bmooney@maxnet.co.nz or follow their Facebook page ‘Restore Deep Creek’.
Update: Glenvar/ East Coast Roads upgrade
Auckland Transport has set aside $500,000 from their ‘Pipeline’ fund to start detailed design in 2021. This hinges on the Business Case being approved, which is still in review. Funding for the project will need to be confirmed in the 2021-2031 Regional Land Transport Plan in June 2021.
I drafted and moved a resolution at our Board’s business meeting that our Board go and address the Auckland Transport Board will be supporting the urgency and high need for this upgrade project at the Auckland Transport Board meeting in October. We were pencilled in to attend, but they are trying to sideline us for a phone call instead. I’ve drafted a response letter to go back to them insisting that we speak in front of the AT Board about the urgency that this project must be given as soon as money is available. It is unheard of for AT to decline a Local Board speaking rights at their meetings. I’m not letting this go!
24-7 Youthwork – supporting our young people
Long Bay Baptist Church has partnered with Long Bay College to supply youth workers as part of the 24-7 Youthwork programme. The team of three have provided 30 hours per week of youth-work in the school since early 2019.
24-7 Youthwork emerged in the 1990s in the youth arm of a Christchurch church to provide support for youth at Riccarton High School. Now 24-7 Youthwork provides 175 youth workers in over 71 schools
The team at Long Bay College support the school by offering students a listening ear, providing mentoring services, and encouraging leadership development. They focus on student well-being and strengthening students with the tools required to work through any concerns.
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board has supported this 24-7 Youthwork programme in the last two financial years with a total of $20,000 going towards the wages of the youth workers at Long Bay College, providing vital support in promoting the health and wellbeing of our local young people.
Ramsgate Tce – consultation extended
Many of you have already given feedback on Auckland Transport’s (AT) proposals for Ramsgate Terrace which included a signalised pedestrian crossing and a northbound bus lane (operating weekdays, 4 pm – 7 pm).
On our request, the consultation will remain open until the public drop-in session can be held. When COVID-10 restrictions drop to level 1, AT will reschedule the session to discuss the proposals with locals. To read the proposals and give feedback, search ‘Ramsgate’ at www.at.govt.nz
Graffiti rates are dropping
Auckland Council’s Graffiti Vandalism Prevention Programme started in 2013 and has resulted in a noticeable reduction in the number of graffiti incidents and requests for service in the Bays. Recently we’ve seen a 55% decrease in graffiti (from Jan-June 2020, compared to the same period in 2019). Incident rates were nearly halved earlier in the year even before lockdown.
The success comes down to a consistent approach to responding promptly to remove graffiti as well as proactive measures (such as partnering with Vector to beautify their publicly visible assets with artwork).
Spring-time in the Bays
Lots of our volunteer groups have been busy weeding and planting. If you are interested in getting involved with a local group who are doing fantastic work in your local community, get in touch with Restore Hibiscus and Bays and they will connect you.
This month I gave a hand to the group in Browns Bay who are doing some beautiful work along side the Taiaotaea Stream, as well as Restore Deep Creek.
Comments