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October 2014 Spotlight on Mt Victoria/Matairangi Town Belt
Planning for vegetation, landscape & recreation Wellington City Council is preparing a Master Plan for Mt Victoria/Matairangi that looks at landscape, future plantings and rate of removal of pines, as well as recreation development and ways to reduce user conflict. The Wellington Town Belt Management Plan (2013) identified the need to develop a Master Plan which will also complement and be consistent with the existing legislative framework including the Town Belt Deed and the proposed Wellington Town Belt Bill.
Prior to preparing the Master Plan, the council and its consultants are talking to people who use Mt Victoria to get a full understanding of how it is used and where conflicts may exist. They are meeting with specific user groups but also want to hear from casual users and interested people and so the council is holding an open day on Saturday 11 October from 1pm to 4pm at the Mt Victoria Bowling Club. This is an opportunity for you to talk to council representatives and consultants about where you go on Mt Victoria, what spaces and routes you like and don’t like and what conflicts you perceive.
The council looks forward to seeing you at the Open Day.
Fawkes Food Fair: Saturday 8 November This year we are holding another Fawkes Food Fair at our local Clyde Quay School to coincide with the Guy Fawkes display on the waterfront. The date for this deliciousness is Saturday 8 November, with food and entertainment on offer from 5pm. So make a note of the event and get ready to enjoy the many international foods on offer, before you head down to the fireworks.
Community gets involved in propagation, planting, pest control Are you interested in conservation?
Are you inspired by the fingers of biodiversity creeping into Wellingtons urban core?
Would you like to contribute to the ecological restoration of Matairangi/ Mt Vic?
Manaaki Te Keo is an exciting new community project founded on a vision of native vegetation and biodiversity over the sun drenched slopes of Mt Victoria, or Tangi Te Keo to some. Te Keo, the bird spirit of the taniwha Whataitai, was said to have mourned the taniwha’s death on the hill top. It’s now time to care for the mountain and bring back the birdsong.
Since the first settlers arrived in Wellington, the once abundant groves of Kohekohe, Tawa, Miro (to name just a few) have been replaced by the dark hues of conifers, eucalypts and a menagerie of invasive weeds. Gone too is the chorus of birds which called it home. Some such as the Huia will never return but as Wellington continues to reap the rewards of Zealandia, others will. Manaaki Te Keo will work closely with partners including Wellington Rotary Club, Wellington City Council, the Regional Council and DoC to realise the vision. This ambitious project will require the input of a range of enthusiastic people to make the vision a reality. In particular it will require community volunteers to assist with plant propagation, planting, pest control (trapping etc), weed management and communication (website etc). We are therefore keen to muster a team of motivated volunteers to start the ball rolling. To kick it off we will be having an inaugural group meeting at Plimmer House 5pm Sunday 12 October. Please drop an email to [email protected] if you would care to join. We would love to see you.
Get your hands dirty Join Manaaki Te Keo
Inaugural Meeting 5pm Sunday 12 October
Plimmer House, Community Garden top of Majoribanks St
Mt Victoria Town Belt
Master Plan Open Day 1 – 4pm Saturday 11 October
Wellington Bowling Club, Pirie St
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Community Events Transition Towns: Tues, 14 October, 7:30pm, New Crossways, 6 Roxburgh St.
We will be viewing the film "Voices of Transition". This is 2012 German produced documentary looking at sustainable alternatives to the current global and unsustainable agribusiness model. We visit farms in France, developing urban agriculture in England, and revisit food production in Cuba where only limited supplies of oil are available. Subtitles in English as needed. All welcome. For further information contact Frank Cook on 027 649 6508.
The group also offers to help with your bokashi bucket if you do not have space for the contents and to act as facilitator linking up people in the area who have gardens they struggle to keep going with people who would like to garden . Contact Pat Hubbard 384 2646.
Not Halloween: Halos and Heroes is an annual event run on 31st October as an alternative to Halloween. For children aged 3 to 12, come along for a fun night of games, activities, prizes and adventure! The theme this year is TREASURE ISLAND, come along dressed in the theme. Gold coin entry, 5.30-7.30pm. Run by The Street City Church - 9 Hania Street, Mt Victoria.
Innermost Gardens: The Mt Victoria Community Garden is located on the greenbelt to the right off the top of Majoribanks St. All welcome. www.innermostgardens.org.nz/
Gardening Sundays: 1st & 3rd of each month, 11am-2pm.
Hiring of the Charles Plimmer House/ Innermost Gardens: $15/hour, $50/4 hours; we can be flexible. Contact Margaret or Ian ([email protected]).
MenzShed welcomes men The MenzShed is open to all Wellington men, but especially those in the older age group. We offer a place where you’ll find companionship, and a chance to revive your old skills, or learn new skills. We help Kindergartens, Plunket, Refugee Services and other community groups by repairing and painting broken furniture. We have a great collection of tools. We meet from 10 to 1pm on Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays, and 12 to 3pm on Wednesdays. You will find us at the old Chinese Mission Hall, 46 Frederick Street which is opposite the Warehouse at the top of Tory St. Email - [email protected] Ph/txt 021 403 003 Website - www.citymenzshed.org.nz
Unclassified Advertisements
Free 3-line ads to [email protected] by 20th of preceding month. Please include an expiry date for editor &/or buyers. Mt Victoria connection, please.
• Housework Help: Do you need a hand to do housework on Saturdays and Sundays? I have experience in this. Call me at 021 283 8767
• Tamil speaker wanted: To translate about 10 minutes of film footage from UnionAID economic development project in Tamil Nadu. Please contact Helen Wilson 027 2519311 or 384 8541.
• Computer Technician: Can fix almost anything, wireless, virus, error messages, new computer setup, slow computer, health check. Evenings and Weekends 0220156133 or [email protected]
• Innermost Yoga: every Monday. 5:30-6:30pm, $12/night. Charles Plimmer House - Innermost gardens. Mats provided. Call Muni 027 801 0004.
• Pre-school Dance: Charles Plimmer House - Innermost Gardens. Starting in term 4. Fun pre-school class -Wednesdays 15 October -5 Nov ( 4 week block) and 26 Nov-17 Dec ( 4 week block). 1.30-2.00pm. Further info and enrolments email [email protected]
• Newsletter delivery help wanted: Easy circuit near Ellice St. 1 hr/month. Ph 385 1415
• Babysitter: 14-year-old; any night of the week. Call Milly on 043856423.
• Feldenkrais classes at Crossways - Improve flexibility, posture, breathing, coordination. Mondays 6pm from 13 Oct. First class free. Sue 499 7255 [email protected]
• Pilates, Yoga & Zumba! Pilates: Thu 12.30 & Sat 12. Yoga(Koha): Fri 12.30. Pilates: Sat 12pm. Zumba: Wed 5.30. FIRST CLASS FREE! SoulMarita Ph/txt 022 343 9258 Email [email protected])
• Room wanted: Mature, employed man looking for a room, board, or housesit in Mt Victoria home. Ph/text 0274 361 787.
• Babysitter: 3rd year uni student available for babysitting, dog walking, or cleaning. All enquiries contact Rebecca on 027 683 2117.
The Council wants to hear from you The Wellington City Council is asking for community input as they start to prepare the budget (and set the rates) for next year and review their 10 year plan. This is a welcome change from the council’s traditional approach of asking for “feedback” after proposals have been fully developed. Formal submissions will still be invited on the draft plans in March 2015. As outlined on the council’s website, the Long Term Plan 2015-25 will cover everything the council does, its priorities, and its funding. This includes investment in selected projects (including the runway extension) and infrastructure like water supply. The new plan will replace the existing urban development and transport strategies. Based on an assumption that the city’s population will grow from 200,000 to 250,000 over the next 30 years, the council says it intends the Long Term Plan to “preserve the city’s character, keep it compact and connected to nature, and ensure we have an efficient, sustainable and accessible transport network”. For more info, email [email protected] of phone 803 8683.
Wellington East Girls' College Building Re-Development Information Evening The move from the Main Building at the school in 2011
provided an opportunity to undertake a Master Plan for the school. We would like to meet with Mt Victoria
residents to talk about the proposed developments at the school.
Monday 20 October at 6pm. School staff room (We will guide you from the drive to the staff room) We look forward to meeting you at this event.
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Deadline for next newsletter : 18th of month. Email: newsletter@mtvictor ia.org.nz. The Mt Victoria Newsletter has been an independent publication for over 35 years. Supported by its sponsors, advertisers, and volunteers, it is not formally affiliated with the Mt Victoria Residents Association, New Crossways, or www.mtvictoria.org.nz. If you’d like to volunteer to help with writing, editing, managing, and/or distributing the Newsletter please contact us. Our website is at www.mtvicnews.org.nz; you can find current and back issues there. Harriet Margolis & Patrick McCombs, for the Newsletter team
Councillor Iona Pannett As I write this, it is good to reflect on some of the good things going on in our community. The creche is thriving, nearly a year after returning to Mt Victoria; we have recently welcomed Emma Draper as the energetic new manager for Crossways Community Centre; a successful AGM for the Residents Association was recently held and some new people will join some of the experienced hands on the Committee. Finally and not at all least, a very warm congratulations to the teams at Save the Basin, the Historical Society and the Residents’ Association amongst others for their stunning success at the Board of Inquiry on the flyover. I have enjoyed working with you over the last year and hope to be able to make some further progress on some of the issues of concern to you including stopping the flyover, better emergency planning and making the community centre even more accessible.
A big thanks to all those who made the effort to come to my Caffeine Clinic in July and the meeting on anti-social issues in Mt Victoria over July and August. You identified some good solutions to issues of tagging, rubbish, criminal behaviour and speeding traffic. Further progress to be reported on soon.
Finally, the Council Environment Committee which I chair has now signed off on the Town Belt Bill and I hope that it will be presented to Parliament by the end of the year. There has been a lot of valuable input from Mt Victoria people and I feel confident as a result that the Bill will protect this precious piece of land for future generations. Iona
Phone: 384-3382 / 021-227-8509 Email: [email protected]
Residents Association AGM The AGM of the Mt Victoria Residents Assn was held on 18 September in the Tararua Tramping Club hall in Moncrieff St. A review of the years activities showed the burden of managing the Association's presentation at the Flyover Board of Inquiry as well as representing the interests of residents regarding Council proposals over a range of areas. See our website for the Presidents report. (www.mvra.org.nz) The meeting formally acknowledged the largely pro bono help of the professional experts who spoke for the Association at the flyover Inquiry and presented viable alternative transport options. Regarding transport, the meeting was advised that a governance group was to be set up to facilitate the way forward but as this group appears restricted to pro flyover advocates, residents cannot be confident of a collaborative or visionary approach. The Flyover may continue to haunt us. A range of topics was raised from the floor including: • the current state of local preparedness (or lack of )
in civil defence • the public transparency of the Crossways
Community Trust and its operation of the community rooms with local organisations finding difficulty in obtaining bookings
• the lack of cohesion in general communication of local issues within our community
• Council’s refusal to continue the annual rubbish collection and the effects of this decision
The meeting agreed that there was a need for better information sharing and collective action across Mt Victoria groups. The new MVRA committee will be chaired by Craig Palmer and members are Ellen Blake, Grant Burley, Judith Graykowski, Elaine Hampton, Kay Jones and Sue Watt.
Elaine Hampton Ph: 802 4492
Rates Rebate: Ratepayers living on modest incomes are able to claim a rebate from the City Council. For example, if your rates are $3000 you would qualify for a rebate up to an income of $39,000. Call the Rates Office at the Council for an application form, phone 499 4444.
Message from the Mayor Kia ora Mt Victoria. 101 Wakefield Street has been a whirlwind of activity. This month the Council initiated its 2015-2025 Long Term Plan process which aims for economic, social and community growth and environmental restoration. We’re keen to talk to all organisations before a final draft is agreed on in early 2015. Please contact us through the WCC website if you would like more information. Last month at the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals Event Awards, Wellington collected six awards: • Best Established Regional Event (Visa Wellington on
a Plate) • Best New Zealand Owned Major Event (WOW World
of Wearable Arts Awards Show) • Best Partnership for an Event (Visa Wellington on a
Plate) • Best One-Off Event (The Hobbit an Unexpected
Journey, World Premiere) • Best Event Professional (Sue Paterson, the New
Zealand Festival) • Lifetime Achievement Award (Dame Suzie Moncrieff,
WOW founder) These achievements affirm Wellington as the events capital of New Zealand and our successful partnerships. One of these partnerships was the recent LUX festival, which I hope you enjoyed. During a workshop in early September, the Council discussed how to fund key projects that would keep Wellington at the forefront of people’s minds as a vibrant, welcoming, safe capital that is a desirable place to visit, live and study in. Projects included the airport runway extension, the film museum, better transport choices and an indoor concert venue. All of these exciting ventures affect various parts of the City and they have a shared goal of sustaining Wellington’s enviable reputation the coolest little capital in the world. The Town Belt Bill will have been passed to Central Government by the time you read this. Please work to ensure its cross-party support. Best wishes Celia Wade-Brown
Mayor of Wellington
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