February 2018 WBRA Newsletter
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WAIKAWA BEACH RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
waikawabeach.org.nz
** February 2018 Newsletter
Kia ora tātou. It's been a scorcher this summer, but perhaps the remains of Tropical Cyclone Fehi cooled us off and damped the ground a little. The associated high tides certainly lapped at the base of the properties closest to the sea at the end of Manga Pirau Street and along to the south, taking a bit more sand away with them.
This is the time when local Councils around New Zealand consult on their long-term plans. There's also consultation about the Ōtaki to North of Levin Expressway. It seems like everyone wants our opinions and input on everything. One issue that will directly affect all of us is the matter of water supply and sewage systems . Please read the material and let us as a Committee know your views.
** In this newsletter …
- From parched to puddles (#parched-puddleshot-summer)
- HDC Consultation: water and sewage services (#consultation)
- AGM (#agm)
- Summer activities (#summer-activities)
- Hard rubbish collection (#hard-rubbish)
- Christmas lights winners (#christmas-lights)
- New Year fire hazard (#fire-hazard)
- Fire-fighting water tanks (#fire-tanks)
- Water quality at the footbridge (#water-quality)
- Defibrillator maintenance (#aed-upkeep)
- Property news (#property-news)
- Ōtaki to north of Levin Expressway (#o2nl-expressway)
- Local roading issues (#local-roading)
- Quick updates (#quick-updates)
- Did you know: a German mine in 1918 (#did-you-know)
** HDC Consultation: water and sewage services
The Horowhenua District Council are talking about piping drinking water to our community and giving us sewage disposal. Note that "giving" doesn't mean anything will be free. At the AGM Councillor Christine Mitchell talked about this notion and advised it could add a minimum of $1500 per year to our rates. It's a complicated issue though and we all need to think about it and make our views known — to us on the Committee and direct to the Council.
Read more about this at: Water Supply and Sewage Services to our Village? (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/water-supply-and-sewage-services-to-our-village/)
We need to tell the Council what we think about this idea or we might find that something happens (or doesn't happen) that we really wouldn't like.
Between 21 February and 26 March 2018 the HDC will: * Send information to all ratepayers. * Run various public events where staff will be available to discuss matters. * Put details of the proposals, consultation process and links to all the relevant information and online submission forms on their website (http://www.horowhenua.govt.nz/) .
Council's open consultation process begins very soon on 21 February 2018 but we need to start discussing these matters amongst ourselves now.
** AGM
The AGM was held at Hank Edwards Reserve, with a good turnout. Councillor Christine Mitchell addressed us and let us know about parts of the Council's Long-Term Plan. John Hewitson also delivered his Annual Report. Read more at: AGM 28 December 2017; unconfirmed Minutes and Financial Report (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/agm-28-december-2017/) and Annual report 2017 (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/annual-report-2017/) .
We'd like to thank Brian Clarke for his service in reviewing our Annual Accounts for quite a few years now, and John Brown and Frank Averes for their contributions as longstanding committee members and all they've done for our community.
The 2018 Committee are: John Hewitson, Chair; Kevin Burns, Secretary; Elaine White, Treasurer; Debra Betts, Dominic Hayden, John Sharp, Lesley-Anne Walker, Liz Duncan, Miraz Jordan, Warwick Bainbridge, Yvonne Small, Gary Whitaker.
John Brown has taken on the role of reviewing our Accounts.
** Summer activities
The summer activities were well-received and a lot of people had a lot of fun. The weather was hot and plenty of sunscreen was on hand.
Thanks to all those who joined in, were spectators or applied themselves to running the events and the associated barbecues and drinks stands. See photos and read reports on the website: Boat Day 2017 photos (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2017/boat-day-2017-photos/) , Sand Sculpture photos, December 2017 (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2017/sand-sculpture-photos-december-2017/) , Sports Day 01 January 2018 Photos #2 (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/sports-day-01-january-2018-photos-2/) , Ambrose Golf, 02 January 2018 (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/ambrose-golf-02-january-2018/) .
At Sports Day, January 2018. Photo by Barry Jordan.
** Hard rubbish collection
A small team turned out to help with the hard rubbish collection (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/hard-rubbish-collection-13-january-2018/) which picked up items such as couches, fridges, garden shredders, old TVs, bits of wire, bookcases and all manner of stuff. Thanks to the helpers, the collection was completed at record speed. Reminder: if you're one of the folks who promised to pay, but hasn't yet, please pay up now.
** Christmas lights winners
Congratulations to Wendy and Peter Clarke whose Christmas lights won First Place in the Festival of Lights. It's a well-deserved award and the lights are enjoyed by all.
** New Year fire hazard
It was impossible to miss how dry the whole area was going into Christmas and New Year, even if you hadn't been aware of the official declaration of drought. Many people had to have their water tanks filled, thanks to the lack of rain. And still, some people let off fireworks over the holiday period, including one continuous hour-long session on New Year's Eve sourced somewhere between the end of Manga Pirau Street and Strathnaver Drive.
Residents and visitors nearby were very concerned about the potential for fire, while horse and dog owners checked on and calmed their animals.
Waikawa Beach is a permanent Total Fire Ban zone. Please remember that total fire ban includes braziers and BBQs (gas is OK) — anything that could release sparks. As one resident said: "Play by the rules or we will all get burnt."
** Fire-fighting water tanks
The Council own and are responsible for keeping filled several water tanks for the purposes of fire-fighting. Locations include Emma Drive, Arthur Street and Sand Dune Grove. We're enquiring about tanks for Strathnaver.
The tanks were refilled just before Christmas. Read about fire restrictions and the tanks on the Fire (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/emergency-and-general-information/fire/) page on our website.
** Water quality at the footbridge
Water quality at the footbridge remains poor. Each week Horizons test the water and publish the results (https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/manawatu-wanganui-region/swimming/waikawa-estuary-at-footbridge/swim-site) . We put the results on the right-hand side of the website soon after they're published. Since 01 November 2017 the results have been "green" 7 times, "orange" 6 times and "red"once. The Committee want to start work on finding ways to improve the quality. Please contact us if you'd like to be part of that.
** Defibrillator maintenance
We have an AED defibrillator on the wall of the changing sheds at Hank Edwards Reserve. Not sure when you'd use one or how? See our AED page (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/emergency-and-general-information/aed-defibrillator/) on the website. AEDs require regular upkeep and this year we needed to install fresh charging pads. That has now been done.
** Property news
Some properties are still on the market, even after several months, while several more have been advertised recently, including on Sarah Street, James Street and Duncan Street. There's even more building work being started along Strathnaver Drive too.
** Ōtaki to north of Levin Expressway
The Ōtaki to north of Levin Expressway consultations are coming up. The shortlist of corridor options (http://nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/public-feedback-sought-on-o2nl-preferred-route-shortlist/) has been published, with all going east of SH1. There's an information session at Manakau Hall on 10 February 2018. From 7 February until 9 March, an information shop at 183 Oxford Street, Levin will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-4pm, and Thursday from 12pm-6pm.
** Local roading issues
As roads wear away or develop other problems we work with the Council to get them remedied. Currently under discussion are problems of various sorts on or around Strathnaver Drive, Drake Street and Walkers Lane. Read the details at Bumps and lumps and puddles (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/2018/bumps-and-lumps-and-puddles/) .
Aerial shot of Waikawa Beach village from Blair Rogers, taken early January 2018.
** Quick updates
- If you're one of the 20% who still hasn't paid your subs send $25 to account 03 0667 0268929 000. Please include your name and beach address. Also email wbra.committee@gmail.com with your name, beach address, postal address, email address and date of payment. For more options see waikawabeach.org.nz/subs (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/subs/) . We're thrilled that so many are helping to support our community. We aspire to 100% paid membership as we work to "promote and protect the interests of Ratepayers and the residents of the district".
- In 2018 your Committee will meet at Easter, Queen's Birthday and Labour Weekend. There may be extra meetings, such as the one held in January, to discuss urgent issues.
- If you have something to contribute then please either email the Committee at wbra.committee@gmail.com, or visit the Contact page (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/contact/) at the website, where you can make a public comment.
- Did you know you don't have to keep visiting our website (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/) to read all the new articles? Enter your email address in the sign-up box on the right-hand side of almost any page on our website.
- Our online noticeboard (https://waikawabeach.org.nz/noticeboard/) is available for all to use, along with the actual noticeboards by the footbridge.
** Did you know: a German mine in 1918
In late 1918 a local found a German mine on the beach. As reported in Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 17427 (http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WC19181111.2.10) , 11 November 1918.
Another of the mines that was laid off Cape Farewell by the Germans a little over 12 months ago was found on the Manakau beach on Friday night, about five miles north of Otaki. The mine was discovered by Miss Drake, and had evidently been recently washed up on the beach, being just at high water mark. It stands about three or four feet high, and has either two or three horns. The police were notified of the discovery, and they communicated with the naval authorities in Wellington.
Mā te wā, Miraz Jordan (https://lovewaikawabeach.nz/)
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** (https://waikawabeach.org.nz) Our mailing address is: PO Box 30309, Lower Hutt 5040. wbra.committee@gmail.com
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Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association ** waikawabeach.nz (https://waikawabeach.org.nz)
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