Iain MacLean

Climate change workshop ideas for action

Forty-five people attended today’s climate change workshop in Pukerua Bay, a good turnout for a sunny Sunday afternoon and which included three of the local ward city councillors and the mayor.

Also present were members of Porirua City Council’s sustainability and climate change team, who gave attendees a rundown on the risks climate change and extreme weather events present to Pukeru Bay.

The workshop used the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as the framework for discussion, and groups identified the ones relevant to our community, and came up with examples of things we are either doing, could do more of, or could start. People took a broad view, with a resilient community focus and climate change as a major force impacting the community. Some of the ideas were for more information, such as workshops on solar household power, or taking a ‘circular economy’ view of household or business purchases, while others involved sharing of resources. Planned housing developments and infrastructure were also identified as things that need a strong climate change response built in.

The ideas collected are being collated and will be shared with the participants and the rest of the community.

Porirua City Council will soon start consulting the community on its climate change action plan, and today’s workshop puts the Pukerua Bay community in a good position to get into more detailed discussions with the council on our needs, and how we can contribute to the community response.

Climate change workshop ideas for action Read More »

District Plan submissions on housing developments

Last weekend we submitted our comments and the changes we want to the proposed variation to the Porirua District Plan for land around Pukerua Bay.

The variation would allow new housing developments on the eastern side of the village, off Muri Road and the Mt Welcome farm (the former deer farm off SH59). Read information on Porirua City Council website.

We suggested a number of changes and additions to strengthen environmental protection, explicitly acknowledge the impact of climate change, the need to identify funding for infrastructure before work starts, and changes to the urban design to improve accessibility and neighbourhood connections. The documents are:

Addendum

On 21 March 2023, Moira Lawler and Iain MacLean presented an oral submission to the hearing panel considering the proposed draft District Plan. These are the notes we provided to the panel in support of the submission.

District Plan submissions on housing developments Read More »

Kāinga Ora considers using Urban Development Act housing provisions

Kāinga Ora and Porirua City Council (PCC) have announced a plan to look at the Northern Growth Area to the south of Pukerua Bay as a ‘Specified Development Project’ to manage housing developments in the area. The Kāinga Ora media release is below.

Links: Kāinga Ora media release on Scoop; background on Kāinga Ora’s Specified Development Projects.

The Residents Association has prepared a statement in response:

“This is a very surprising decision and there is a lot we need to learn to come to grips with it. We know that there is pressure on housing in the region and a strong demand for it. However, we are concerned about the potential impacts on local communities, and the loss of the local voice in decisions. We have worked with Porirua City Council over many years on the 30-year Northern Growth Plan, and we are currently preparing submissions on changes to the District Plan to allow new housing developments in Pukerua Bay. We would be very concerned to lose the ability to influence decisions affecting our communities if PCC is sidelined from the decision-making process. We would expect to be included as key stakeholders in any decisions Kāinga Ora is making that will affect local communities in this area.”

Kāinga Ora considers using Urban Development Act housing provisions Read More »

State Highway 59 facing longer-term closure because of slip risk – impact on pedestrians and cyclists

Update from Waka Kotahi yesterday, 22 August

State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay will remain closed until further notice.

The highway has been closed since Friday, 19 August after multiple slips. Further assessments over the weekend determined the slip site remains unpredictable. Making the site safe is a significant job, and it could take several weeks before it can reopen to traffic.

Now that work has commenced cyclists and pedestrians will not be able to pass through the wider worksite, due to the ongoing risk of material falling from the slip site and heavy vehicles and machinery  moving around the wider area.

Additional barriers and fencing will be installed at the northern end of Coast Road, across the road at Fisherman’s Table and the southern end at the Pukerua Bay bottom carpark. We ask all pedestrians and cyclists to avoid the area please.

As work progresses we will review each stage to determine whether it will be safe to pass through, and we will provide updates. This work is likely to take several weeks, which we appreciate is inconvenient for locals, but your safety is our priority.

We thank you for your patience and understanding.

State Highway 59 facing longer-term closure because of slip risk – impact on pedestrians and cyclists Read More »

SH59 Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki closed until further notice

Latest update from Waka Kotahi

FYI – State Highway 59 facing longer-term closure because of slip risk

State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay will remain closed until further notice.

The highway has been closed since Friday, 19 August after multiple slips. However, further assessments over the weekend show the slip site remains highly unstable.

Making the site safe will be a significant job, and it could take several weeks before it can reopen to traffic.

A further update on its status will be provided on Friday 26 August. Work is underway to determine the best options for fixing and reopening the highway.

Pukerua Bay residents can access from the south. Paekākāriki resident access is to the north.

All other road users should avoid the area and use State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, as an alternative route.

We want to thank road users and residents for their patience and understanding as your safety is our first priority.

SH59 Pukerua Bay to Paekākāriki closed until further notice Read More »

Train replacement buses disrupted by SH59 closure

The latest from Metlink:

Kapiti Line: Bus replacement services are now shuttling between Waikanae and Porirua and Pukerua Bay and Porirua until further notice due to slips

Last updated: 8:50am Saturday 20 August

Due to further slips on SH59, Kapiti Line bus replacement services will now shuttle from Waikanae to Porirua as buses and then shuttle from Porirua to Pukerua Bay via a shuttle bus. Limited capacity is available, please expect delays and arrange alternate transport where possible.

Service change due to weather or natural disaster

Train replacement buses disrupted by SH59 closure Read More »

Saturday 20 Aug – State Highway 59 to remain CLOSED

UPDATE FROM NZTA.

FYI – State Highway 59 remains CLOSED due to slips

State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay remains closed today, with large slips still to be cleared by roading crews.

The highway was closed yesterday and overnight after slips yesterday. This morning, further slips have come down along this section of road.

Contractors are working hard to restore the road. However, continuing rain means the chance of further slips remains.

This section of State Highway 59 will remain closed today, Saturday 20 August, and a further update on its status will be provided tomorrow morning, Sunday 21 August, or as soon as the road opens.

Pukerua Bay residents can access from the south. Paekākāriki resident access is to the north. All other road users should avoid the area and use State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, as an alternative route.

Bad weather continues to affect Wellington, with numerous slips, rockfalls, and fallen trees on roads across the region. Road users should check roads are open before they travel, drive to the conditions, watch their following distances, and be prepared for delays.

Saturday 20 Aug – State Highway 59 to remain CLOSED Read More »

Structure Plan update

The community workshop on the draft Structure Plan for Pukerua Bay was well-attended, with animated discussions about the proposed housing developments and lots of feedback given. Read the feedback and comments here.

PCC is also planning to put all the feedback onto an interactive online map. We’ll also put a link to this here as soon as we have it. PCC has to notify this District Plan variation by August 2022. Any of us can submit on the proposal, in writing and in person to the public hearings. We will publicise updates on this process.

You can also go to the Council website poriruacity.govt.nz/your-council/city-planning-and-reporting/district-plan/

A tip from the planners – it’s a good idea to focus on the rules for planning because that’s where the Council has its influence. PCC doesn’t build the houses, but it does set the rules!

Structure Plan update Read More »