A well attended meeting heard the following news:

General Notices

• Parking Presentation.  Ray Tuffin will give his Council Presentation at Kia Ora, Thursday 21st July 6pm.
• The Architects for Our Town Newtown are WPS Opus.  The first workshop to meet the architects and contribute to developing the brief is on Saturday 28th July – early afternoon at NCCC.
• Newtown Community Garden at Carrara Park.  Tim Tovey is going to be the on-going coordinator.  Public Liability Insurance has been organised, shared between three organisations, with a Council grant expected to cover it.
• The Postshop has closed and the first look at the agencies is not positive, signage is poor and there is no writing desk.

The meeting also discussed the following topics. For details of the discussion see the full minutes.

Liquor Control Bylaw (Liquor Ban) review

• Jim Lewis from Council presented a preview of this issue. Formal consultation will be in September.
• The Liquor Ban needs to be reviewed this year or it will lapse.

Moved Bernard O’shaughnessy/Sam Somers: That NRA supports the liquor ban, and supports further publicity and enforcement. Carried.

Newtown Connections – WCC Engagement.

• Jess Ducey and Sam Wilkie from Council Networks Improvements Team talked about the information gathering process (the survey). The purpose is to develop a connected citywide cycle network so people of all ages and abilities can safely choose to make more trips by bike, but the survey questions cover all forms of transport.
• The six week consultation closes on 17th July
• When the engagement is completed the team will develop some options for cycleway routes, for further consultation.
• Contact: jessica.ducey@wcc.govt.nz or http://cycleways.wellington.govt.nz/newtown-connections/

A Review of the 1930’s Character Control on Buildings has been announced by WCC as part of the general District Plan review.

• This has alarmed Balmoral Tce residents as Housing New Zealand has told residents that they are exploring options for developing their properties at 124,130 & 131 Coromandel Street and 9 Balmoral Tce. In the past HNZ were planning to demolish 9 Balmoral Tce, a restored pre-1930s home, and use the section to access a new development in Coromandel St. After protest this was averted but the concern is that this might be revisited. Coromandel St residents are concerned about an intensive development and resulting traffic.
• Paul Eagle and Kylie Cox (from Paul’s office) invited the residents to pass the information on to them and they will liaise with HNZ about their plans.  Accepted.

See here for the full minutes.