Pukerua Bay Residents' Association
Tuesday, 12 November 2009, 7.30 pm
Present:
Pukerua Bay Residents' Association committee members: Pat Hanley, Dagmar Pesendorfer, June Penhey, Iain MacLean, Robyn Moore (from 8pm)
PCC: Councillor Tim Sheppard, Ian Barlow (Village Planning), Trevor Mason (Graffiti)
Community: Karen Apperley
Apologies: Euon Murrell, Kate Dreaver
Minutes: Proposed: Dagmar, Seconded: June.
Matters Arising
From August meeting for 2009/10 Village Plan - Views on providing a toilet (or other amenities) to serve Pukerua Bay station, skate park, Secret Valley, cycleway and other near attractions/services may be canvassed through the Village Planning review? Ian Barlow replied: Residents' Association should attempt consultation (as extension of Village Planning) with residents about lights and other amenities - and see copy of PCC resolution on skate park lighting in August Minutes.
Resignation of Graham McLaughlin from committee: The committee noted Graham's resignation from the committee with regret and acknowledged the contribution he has made to the association. Several members, including Pat as Chair, had emailed Graham thanking him.
Other points - from PCC:
- Speed bumps proceeding, but broader consultation
- Skate park graffiti project - encourage urban artists to create their graffiti on specific graffiti walls (Bill Inge/Trevor Mason coordinated this). Competition for urban artists underway. See how this initiative goes - report back next year
- Haunui cycle/walkway options to explore, concurrent with road upgrade between Wairaka Road and Pukerua Beach Road - working on project plan for alternative safe methods for crossing SH1 in Pukerua Bay - the upgrade provides opportunities for more innovative solutions re. walk/cycleway (wider usable area)
Finance
Monies from PCC for their commendable win and the NZTA payment for the Pukerua Bay NAP sub-committee work remain. Meeting room hire now paid.
Account balance stands at $4,214.47, with $40 still to be paid to Dagmar and Karen for expenses from the community meeting (payment approved at October meeting). Possible subsidy for First Aid for Pukerua Bay people - no decision. Proposal (Pat, seconded Robyn) to update the local directory with some of our funds - carried. Proposal (Robyn) to install first flush diverter to ensure higher quality rainwater in (Emergency) roofwater tank at Pukerua Bay School (seconded Pat, carried - to $200).
Correspondence
Outward
- Letter to GWRC about replacement bus service. Iain drafted a letter to GWRC asking that it runs some bus services during off-peak hours from Pukerua Bay station to Plimmerton for those people who have no alternative to catching the train. Iain will make agreed changes to the letter and email it to Pat to sign and post.
Inward
- Various reports from PCC committee meetings, including PCC's annual report and a document on public open space and recreation.
- Letter received from Pukerua Bay School Board of Trustees about recent comments in the local news media attributed to the Residents' Association regarding the safety of children travelling to school. The board feels that the children's experiences are not entirely consistent with Residents' Association comments. Pat to reply to these concerns. The message: The Residents' Association welcomes the opportunity to hear the pupils' experiences, and partner with the school on including their stories in the public discussion on the safety issues. Notable that the NAP and Village Plan are foundation documents with community "voices" that we endeavour to reflect; also of note that media will from time to time misinterpret.
- Letter from Tony Jackman on the possibility of including green (nature) and gold (historically significant) trails in the Village Plan.
Village Planning
Speed bumps in Wairaka Road: The Kindergarten committee has approached PCC to re-present its case for speed bumps. Residents' Association committee expressed its concerns about a decision reported by Dagmar, that speed bumps in Wairaka Road have been put on hold/overruled. Dagmar presented correspondence from PCC and the Kindergarten committee minutes to Ian Barlow to follow up.
Pat raised the idea that an area of Muri Reserve could be developed into community gardens of some sort. He also suggested that, if Muri Station was closed, that the buildings could be used as community-garden sheds, given they have some historical significance. Committee discussed - no decision taken. Iain pointed out that with the removal of the pipe barrier at the start of the nature reserve, there are no signs to tell people that they are entering a nature reserve and that dogs must be kept on a leash (both to protect the wild animals living there and to keep dogs away from poison bait laid in the area). Ian Barlow to investigate.
Trevor Mason from PCC told us about artist Michael Tuffery, working with Porirua East youth on creating good quality urban art, to reduce vandalism. Trevor (PCC graffiti coordinator) discussed a new initiative with us - graffiti boards at the skate park: how they are intended to work, rules for using them, and judging the work. It is early days in terms of assessing how effective the boards are at reducing graffiti, needing a couple of cycles before the effects will be measurable. The good artwork around the city, e.g. murals in the city centre, attracts little tagging. The committee discussed the options of the back sprayed concrete wall being painted with a mural. The committee agreed with Trevor that all graffiti that spreads outside agreed areas should be removed immediately.
Work on the survey for an updated Village Plan running to planned timeline as presented at last meeting - sub-committee of Kate, Dagmar, Iain and Robyn, Karen. Dagmar and Karen provided original Village Plan - reviewed this and have decided to maintain a rating system (rewording those questions where the meaning is unclear). Will take a new approach to the rest of the document, more qualitative, still need to contact Tennis Club, Kindergarten et al. for input.
Muri Station and NAP
Public meeting re. Muri Station and NAP on 29 Sep 2009 well attended and achieved objective to get more info and action from relevant parties. Safety audit for Muri Station should happen in December 2009. Muri Station to stay open during Pukerua Bay station upgrade, with upgrade expected to be finished before end of Christmas school holidays. CCTV at the SH1 shop to station crossing point happening. Also see above PCC comments re. Wairaka/SH1 upgrade, cycleway/walkway. Roger Blakeley of PCC is to meet with NZTA and OnTrack about what is described as an "incorporated" approach to road safety, and the possible consequences of the closure of Muri Station.
Civil Defence
Robyn Moore is enjoying the Civil Defence/Emergency Management Coordinator role and is currently overseeing installation of new roofwater tank at Pukerua Bay School - this will provide an emergency supply of good quality fresh water when necessary. The water comes off the roof of the dental clinic; a first flush diverter (see above decision to install) will ensure the first dirty runoff from the roof is flushed away from the tank, thus the need for maintenance and water treatment with chemicals/filters is minimised. Jack has passed over keys to the Dental Clinic (CD quarters) and records. Robyn will update the records over the next few months. Robyn happy to share coordinator role, talking to Gary Spencer about this. Looking at more reliable radios - Trevor Farmer (Emergency Management PCC). Robyn to pick up batteries for existing radios.
Other Business
Pukerua Bay Residents' Association AGM set for 15 Dec 2009 at the Pukerua Bay RSA.
Lisa Tamati - running for CanTeen this Saturday, supporters can watch her run through Pukerua Bay.
Proposal to write a thank you letter to Hekia Parata who wrote to various (GWRC/Ontrack/Transport Minister) on our behalf re. the NAP issues (Pat).
Tim Sheppard note services and costs reserve workshop.
PCC considering employing a coordinator (potentially through Residents' Association network) to maintain and develop contacts with the community e.g. Keep Porirua Beautiful/Village Planning/other - 16 hours/week - not popular with the Councillor present, nor with some of the committee (some of the Residents' Association thought 16 hours appeared excessive, while others opposed the entire idea - no action except feedback to take at this time).
Get cost estimate from Flying Colours/others for local directory. Prepare a brief.
Actions
- Draft letter to Pukerua Bay School Board of Trustees on including experiences of children travelling to and from school in public discussions on traffic safety - Pat
- Investigate replacement of sign at start of nature reserve at beach - Ian Barlow
- Follow up PCC decision on speed bumps in Wairaka Road - Ian Barlow
- Write to KiwiRail about Muri Station upgrade price estimates - Pat
- Write to Roger Blakeley about GWRC estimates of cost of work needed at Pukerua Bay and Muri stations - Pat
- Thank you letter to Hekia Parata - Pat
- First flush diverter for emergency water storage tank at PKB school - Robyn
- Book RSA for AGM - Pat
- Prepare design and print brief for community directory - Iain
- Feedback to PCC staff re. suggestion to employ a Residents' Coordinator - everyone
Meeting closed at 9.00 pm