Whiringa-ā-rangi (November) 2019 WBRA Newsletter
Kia ora koutou katoa. Well, spring is doing a brilliant job of being spring. It's giving us rain, wind, grey skies, with the occasional glimpse of hot sun too. The grass, as Wendy and Peter Clark said recently, "keeps growing". Mind you, the Christmas lights on James Street are also busy growing and there should be a fine display soon.
With summer in the offing we have numerous activities organised. Details are below, but if you're interested in golf, either 18-hole or Ambrose for the family, please contact us as soon as possible so we know if we should go ahead with arrangements. wbra.committee@gmail.com
Summer also brings the AGM and a call for nominations for the Committee. Most current Committee members are putting their names forward again, but Liz Duncan is standing down. If you're interested in actively helping us to: "promote and protect the interests of Ratepayers and the residents of the district and to create and foster public interest in all matters affecting the progress and welfare of the district", then please put in your nomination as soon as possible.
If you have any matters to put before the AGM they must be lodged with the Secretary 14 days prior to the Annual Meeting. That means we must have them by Friday 13 December 2019. wbra.committee@gmail.com
Of course, your more passive support by means of subs is welcome too, and in fact, needed. Subs are due now. We also need everyone to help us update our database of Members. Details below.
In this newsletter …
- AGM of WBRA
- Summer activities
- Toilet block upgrade
- Beach access
- The $5,000 rubbish dump
- The return of the Godwits
- Driving speed in the village
- Summer recycling
- Fireworks and fires
- Emergency Mobile Alert Nationwide Test
- Strathnaver BBQ
- Property news
- Subscriptions and membership details
AGM of WBRA
The AGM is scheduled for Friday 27 December 2019 at 3 pm. Venue: Hank Edwards Reserve. Bring a chair. If the weather's wet the AGM will be held at Manakau Hall.
All welcome, but only paid-up members can vote.
See Unconfirmed Minutes of the WBRA AGM held 27 December 2018 and Financial Statements for year ended 30 September 2018.
Nominations to Committee
If you'd like to stand for the Committee (or a particular position) please let us know beforehand. If you plan to nominate someone else get their permission first. There are usually 4 committee meetings per year. We also need folks who can contribute time and energy to particular projects, activities or occasional meetings, such as those about river water quality, access to the beach and so on.
Summer activities
We've organised a heap of activities which are open to all, not just members. If you rent or lend out your property over summer please let the visitors know they're welcome to join in.
The Summer Activities schedule 2019-2020 on the website lets you know what's on and when. We've also made a PDF you can download and print for yourself (at that same link). There is also info on the Noticeboard by the footbridge, and on the day the chalkboard at the village entrance will have details.
In brief:
- Friday 27 December 2019 at 3 pm: AGM.
- Saturday 28 December 2019 at 10.30 am: Boat Day.
- Monday 30 December 2019, 18 Hole Golf if enough people are interested.
- Wednesday 01 January 2019 at 2 pm: Sports Day.
- Friday 03 January 2020: Ambrose Golf if enough people are interested.
- Saturday 04 January 2020: Sand Sculpture Day.
Toilet block upgrade
The Horowhenua District Council have some funding to upgrade the toilets. We've had an initial meeting with them.
A possible plan is to turn the women's toilet block into two large unisex cubicles with proper access, a changing table, maybe even soap! The rest of the building could offer storage space and a changing area. There could be an additional shower, with foot-washing taps, and a dog water bowl. Lighting could be improved too.
If you have a special interest in this project let us know, otherwise we'll keep the website updated with progress.
Beach access
Lots of wind and some heavy rain has created problems with the beach access at the end of Manga Pirau Street. We're discussing this with the Council. Meanwhile, take care if you want to drive down to the beach: you may find your vehicle stuck.
The $5,000 rubbish dump
We know the beach is a road, and most value it for recreation too. Some, however, seem to think it's a rubbish dump. Read more at $5,000 for a bit of garden waste?
And someone who cleaned out their garage at Labour Weekend tipped it out in 3 spots on Waikawa Beach Road.
Dump rubbish, and that includes garden waste, on the beach or elsewhere and you could find yourself at the painful end of a $5,000 fine. It's not worth it really. Just man up and pay the $20 fee for a bootload of rubbish at the Transfer Station in Levin or Ōtaki.
The return of the Godwits
On 23 October 2019 the first Godwits of the season were spotted at the river mouth. How tired and hungry must they be after their 12,000 Km non-stop flight! Please, do not disturb.
Kuaka, Godwits in shallow water.
Driving speed in the village
Over the summer holidays watch out for pedestrians, folks on bikes, dogs and horses on the street around Waikawa Beach. Get into that slower, summer, way of life and take it easy on all the roads. Please slow down, and give other road users plenty of space.
Summer recycling
Once again from mid-December to mid-March we should have a recycling container available in the village. Last year it was by the toilet block and it will probably have to be in the same place this year. However, it's a noisy thing and that disturbs the neighbours. We're discussing with the Council options for perhaps locking the bins overnight. We're also exploring ideas for other locations.
Fireworks and fires
No fires on the beach. Check conditions and be aware of laws around fires on private property. Details are at Fires and smoke at Waikawa Beach. If someone else has lit a fire and the smoke is a nuisance contact the Council at 06 366 0999.
Fireworks can start fires, upset animals such as horses, dogs and cats and annoy people trying to sleep. Watch conditions and be considerate.
Emergency Mobile Alert Nationwide Test
Your phone may startle you! Expect an Emergency Mobile Alert Nationwide Test on Sunday 24 November, sometime between 6 pm and 7 pm. This is a nationwide test and is a necessary part of making sure the Emergency Mobile Alert system works well. To find out if your phone is capable go to the Ministry of Civil Defence website.
Strathnaver BBQ
Nearly 70 people attended the Strathnaver BBQ held at Labour Weekend. A group of neighbours organised it. This comment was typical: a really enjoyable afternoon yesterday! So well organised, yummy food/salads etc and a great way to get to know/keep in touch with others.
Read more at Strathnaver Labour Weekend 2019 BBQ was a hit.
Property news
Sections for sale: approx 169 Strathnaver Drive, 101 Emma Drive, 7 Sand Dune Grove. Houses for sale: 9 Sand Dune Grove, 42A Strathnaver Drive, 80 Reay Mackay Grove.
Even more houses are being built or about to be built on Strathnaver Drive.
Subscriptions and membership details
Already paid? Thank you!
It's time to pay your subs. We now use a service that allows us to send receipts if we have your email address.
We're also trying to update our member database. Please visit waikawabeach.org.nz/subs-form/ to send us your current contact details (and sub payment date) so we can make sure our membership list is up-to-date.
Subs this year are the same as last year: $25.
Pay online to account 03 0667 0268929 000. Include your name and beach address so we know who's paid. There's not a lot of space on the bank form, so it also helps if you fill in the form mentioned above or email wbra.committee@gmail.com with your name, beach address, postal address, most up-to-date email address and date of payment so we can make sure our records are completely up to date.
Or, post a cheque to E White, PO Box 30309, Lower Hutt. However you pay your subscription be sure to include your beach address and name.
E tata tapahi, e roa whakatū. — Procrastination is a thief of time.
Ngā mihi nui,
Miraz Jordan