Alice Eaves Bush News
With the closure of Alice Eaves Bush because of kauri dieback and limitations imposed by the Covid 19 pandemic, it has been difficult for the Friends of Alice Eaves members to accomplish much in the park over the last year.
However, last Saturday the group was able to clean up the area around the entrance to the park on Hillcrest Road. Weeds and rubbish were removed and a general tidy-up of the area was carried out.
The bridge at the entrance to the park off Old North Road was sprayed to remove mould and algae.
Once the new bridge at Kensington is completed the group hopes to carry out track clearing at the western end of the park along the Nukumea Stream.
Other activity in the park includes water testing and pest trapping.
Water quality testing of the Nukumea Stream is carried out each month. There was some concern over a blockage of the stream near the bridge on Hibiscus Highway.
Significant rain was needed to clear this blockage. Significant rainfall is something we have not had in this area for quite some time.
However, the limited rain that has fallen has been enough to clear the blockage and the stream is now running freely.
Scientists from Whitebait New Zealand regularly inspect the Nukumea stream for evidence of inanga and giant kokopu spawning but this just doesn't appear to be occurring.
Traplines are maintained in Eaves Bush and surrounding areas. A few possums have been caught and the limited disappearance of bait from bait stations suggests a fairly lengthy history of trapping has pest numbers reasonably under control.
Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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28.7% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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19.6% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7.9% Keep it as is
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33.2% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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10.3% Anything but fireworks
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Whangaparaoa Future of the ferry Please have your say Option 3
Update from John Watson - Auckland Councillor
This month AT are surveying every single household on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula as part of their Whangaparaoa Public Transport Study.
This time around AT have put up 3 scenarios for the Coast’s public transport future they want people to choose from (along with a host of other questions). Scenario 1 has the existing buses and ferry but running more often, Scenario 2 has the NX2 bus via Penlink to city and a new 99 bus service (but importantly no ferry service) while Scenario 3 has the Gulf Harbour ferry service and the new 99 bus service.
On the face of it option 3 looks like the scenario that would benefit most parts of the Coast – the ferry service is retained, a new frequent bus service (99) runs along the peninsula while the NX2 is retained at the HBC Station (ensuring other Coast commuters don’t have to transfer further down the busway just to catch it).
Some of the assertions relating to travel times and the so-called 'viability' of a future Whangaparaoa bus terminal need to be challenged through this process as they don't bear scrutiny. For most people a combination of bus, ferry and utilisation of the $835m Penlink connection will resonate with all modes working together as part of an integrated network.
People using the ferry from the eastern half of Whangaparaoa reduce pressure on both the internal roading system and the connection point where Penlink will merge with the northern motorway. People off the road in one part of the network inevitably aids the overall network...especially when there are no plans to widen the northern motorway or add designated bus lanes over the next 30 years (meaning travel times as a consequence of ongoing development north of Silverdale will inevitably increase).
For those wanting to support the ferry service there are 4 specific questions you can respond to including the introduction of weekend sailings (but be aware that scenario 2 has no ferry service). Finally it should be noted there's an opportunity here for AT to create a more resilient network (with modest investment) but that will only occur if all the travel options Whangaparaoa Peninsula is fortunate enough to possess, are utilised
haveyoursay.at.govt.nz...
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