The Residents’ Association meeting on 21st August included the following:
Predator Free Mt Cook Newtown
Recently granted funding means they can build and circulate more traps. Contact them (mailto:predatorfreemcn@gmail.com) to either pick up a free trap, or buy a ‘fancy’ trap at a discounted price. There are currently 80 traps in Newtown, and more than 300 rats have been caught, but more are needed for good coverage. Sponsors are Kiwibank (funding – National Predator-Free trust), Forest and Bird have loaned traps, Placemakers Kilbirnie have donated wood. Volunteers are needed for building traps – working bee at 40A Wright Street, Mt Cook 1:00pm – 5:00pm Sunday 3 September.
It would be good to hear from anyone able and willing to coordinate extending the Predator Free project to Berhampore.
An update about the Our Town Newtown Project
The Saturday 19th August ‘Shine a light on Newtown’ event had smallish attendance but achieved a good deal in sorting through ideas which have been put forward.
An interactive website is now available at http://www.ourtownnewtown.co.nz
This includes an online map of Newtown where people can make comments about facilities, and has a link to the project questionnaire. Responses to the questionnaire need to be in by the end of August.
Wellington City Council projects in Newtown
Rhona Carson presented a report on behalf of Ray Tuffin (WCC Community Advisor for Newtown).
- Roading upgrades have been halted because Chorus has turned up to put in UFB. Noted that people affected by this work have not been consulted or informed. Agreed that the Residents Association write to Downers and Chorus protesting about the lack of consultation.
- Millward Street slip is slowly being addressed.
- Street cleaning – currently Ray is doing daily audits, getting things up to expectations.
- Parking issues -yellow lines at Daniell St entrance to Carrara Park, and other improvements, are progressing
- Working with Police visiting schools – Launched at St Anne’s, going to Newtown School and SWIS. Building communities.
- Cycleway consultation started. Now project manager has left, so project is on hold until a new manager is appointed. A report has been released on the Council website.
- Milward Walkway and Carrara Park murals have been coated with ‘graffiti guard’ again. Hine Sullivan (WCC Graffiti Team Leader) was at the meeting and updated work on murals, graffiti removal, etc. Noted that Dave and Liz from S B Maintenance (Graffiti removal contractors) have donated their own time cleaning up the building that Menzshed have moved into.
Hine is looking for spaces that could be used for artwork.
Keep Newtown Clean Saturday 2 September.
Noted that the traffic light control boxes (and related bits) have a different contractor, who needed some time to get the processes right. Please report any untidy repairs.
Toilet conditions are improving – but do report any issues. - Ray is looking for a space for people to go to create art, particularly if they are otherwise underemployed.
- St Thomas’ Church and Kia Ora Newtown are hosting a high tea on Election Day (Saturday 23rd September). 1pm to 4pm at 199 Riddiford St.
Menzshed new location – far end of Coromandel Street in a space provided by CCDHB.
The new facility was officially opened by Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Eagle last Wednesday – the Residents’ Association were represented by Rhona Carson and Steve Cosgrove.
Menzshed provides woodworking workshops for a group of retired men (and women). They do a range of projects. They are generally at their site between 10 and 1 Tues, Weds, Thurs. They have a website – http://www.citymenzshed.org.nz.
Library Opening Hours
Bernard O’Shaughnessy pointed out that other suburban libraries have longer opening hours than Newtown, and elaborated on the issues.
Moved Rhona that the Association support that Newtown Library should be open until 4:30 on Saturday afternoons. The meeting supported this motion.
Wellington South Licensing Trust History Project
Steve Dunn outlined progress at editing the interviews and other material available. This has now been put into a booklet format. This can be downloaded from the Residents’ Association website. Related archival material is available on request.
Steve asked for a vote of thanks to Tony Pritchard who compiled the final document– heartily endorsed.
Planning for the Meet the Candidates meeting on September 5th
Remember the date – Tuesday September 5th.
Caltex Site
This is owned by a group who want to set up a medical centre and community housing. They don’t yet have the money to go ahead.
In the meantime, Mechanical Tempest and Rebicycle are moving in.
A replica of the Christchurch Dance –Mat is planned to go on site as well.
Festival Trust creation
The Newtown Festival Trust has been granted charitable status. At the AGM a motion will be put to approve the separation between the Association and the Festival.
The meeting finished at 9pm.
See the full minutes of the meeting here.
Next meeting will be the AGM – Monday 18th September 2017 at 7.30 pm, Newtown Hall.
newtown.org.nz 