Piha - Karekare, Piha

Share what you've seen

Share what you've seen

If you know of crime happening locally, let your neighbours know here.

2328 days ago

Are you frustrated by people parking in mobility parks without a permit?

Hannah Ross Reporter from Western Leader

Mobility car park users are being abused by those without a permit and it's getting frustrating. In the space of half an hour nine cars were spotted without a permit, parked in a mobility park, at Kelston shopping mall.

Image
2321 days ago

ACC Invoices: Get it done online

The Team from ACC New Zealand

If you haven’t got it already, you’ll soon see your ACC invoice in your mailbox. 📬 Here’s a few things to help make sure you’ve got all the info you need:

🙂 A nifty guide to understanding your invoice: ➡ acc.nz...

🤔 Not sure why you received an invoice? ➡ acc.nz...

View more
If you haven’t got it already, you’ll soon see your ACC invoice in your mailbox. 📬 Here’s a few things to help make sure you’ve got all the info you need:

🙂 A nifty guide to understanding your invoice: ➡ acc.nz...

🤔 Not sure why you received an invoice? ➡ acc.nz...

😶 Have some questions about your invoice? Ask Jules our new chatbot ➡ acc.nz... (and 🤖 Look for Jules’ chat icon 🗨 bottom right of the business pages.)

🙄 Need to pay your invoice? Do it online: ➡ acc.nz...
Get it done online

Image
G
2321 days ago

WATERCARES' PLANS FOR TITIRANGI

Gina from Titirangi

Press release below from Titirangi Protection Group (TPG). If you care about this issue, the time for submissions is coming soon.

Media Release
Auckland, New Zealand, 13 July 2018

Goff's claim of ‘scrub and gorse’ is nonsense, say treatment plant protesters

Auckland’s … View more
Press release below from Titirangi Protection Group (TPG). If you care about this issue, the time for submissions is coming soon.

Media Release
Auckland, New Zealand, 13 July 2018

Goff's claim of ‘scrub and gorse’ is nonsense, say treatment plant protesters

Auckland’s endangered native bush will be destroyed by Watercare’s proposed Titirangi water treatment plant, two new reports reveal.

Seventy per cent of Watercare’s four-hectare treatment site has been described as "endangered forest ecosystem", seriously questioning Auckland Council's claims that the Titirangi forest is expendable.

Watercare originally tried to place its Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Oratia but when that proposal was defeated by community protest Watercare was forced to shift its focus to Titirangi’s kauri regrowth forests.

"Mayor Phil Goff has described the site as 'mostly scrub and gorse', which is pure stuff and nonsense," says Belynda Groot from the Titirangi Protection Group, the community organisation trying to stop bulldozers moving into the kauri forest. "Two ecological impact reports pour cold water on the idea that nothing of value is going to be destroyed, and one of those reports is from Watercare itself.”

One of the environmental reports was commissioned by Watercare and conducted by Boffa Miskell, while an independent report was written by respected ecologist, Shona Myers. Both reports recognise the high ecological value of the Titirangi site.

According to the Boffa Miskell report: “Our vegetation assessment identifies that endangered or critically endangered forest ecosystem types cover more than 70% of the Project Site.”

The Myers report goes into further detail: “The site itself is representative of regenerating forest types including kauri, present in this part of the foothills. It contains threatened ecosystem types (regenerating kauri forest, broadleaved forest and kahikatea-swamp maire forest) and nationally and regionally threatened species. The site forms linkages and corridors for wildlife with adjoining regional parkland forest.”

The adjoining parkland mentioned by Myers is home to two of Auckland’s oldest kauri (Clarks and Bishop). The reports also reveal that the proposed WTP site forms the headwaters which flow in to the Waituna Stream and Little Muddy Creek, home to endangered native freshwater fish species such as īnanga and long-finned eel.

Belynda Groot, says: “In a recent interview Mayor Goff described the site as mostly scrub and gorse so we hope that in light of evidence from experts, he will reconsider his position. We know that Watercare has been giving politicians a customised tour of a part of the site with the least ecological value, so confusion is understandable.”

Groot says the Titirangi Protection Group understands the need for a new water treatment plant but questions whether Watercare can decimate significant stands of native bush and still claim to prioritise sustainability.

“They need to go back to the long list or come up with a more innovative solution that doesn’t require the destruction of native forest.”

Groot points out that Watercare’s plans for a Titirangi WTP might also fail on a business-case argument. “Watercare admits the Titirangi site is a lot smaller than ideal for the scope of the project.”

Groot says Auckland Council recently closed the Waitakere Ranges to help save kauri from the very serious threat posed by kauri dieback and implemented a targeted rate of $311m to tackle the problem.

“On one hand ratepayers are saving the Waitakere kauri, and on the other hand they want to chop them down. Clean water shouldn’t be at the cost of our precious native forests - there are other more viable and sustainable options.”

ENDS


For comment or interview please reply to this email or contact:
Belynda Groot - Titirangi Protection Group
021 0235 1166
belyndag10@gmail.com

D
2321 days ago

Recalling Yamaha life jackets

Doaa from Henderson

Another serious recall. The yamaha life jacket's may not inflate in water.
The recall message is next. Please check your jackets and warn friends and family today
www.recalls.govt.nz...

2321 days ago

Flood warnings for Auckland + Northland this weekend

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

MetService is monitoring a weather system that may coincide with king tides expected over the weekend. This will cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas, particularly around the high-tides on Sunday.

There is also the possibility of a deep low moving southeastwards over the upper North … View more
MetService is monitoring a weather system that may coincide with king tides expected over the weekend. This will cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas, particularly around the high-tides on Sunday.

There is also the possibility of a deep low moving southeastwards over the upper North Island during Sunday, delivering severe gale easterlies to exposed parts of the area.

- People are advised to keep up to date with the latest MetService forecasts in case some parts of this Watch are upgraded to a full weather warning, or other areas are added.
- Take extra precautions along the coast, consider your travel routes and never drive through floodwaters.
- Auckland Emergency Managment warned travellers to take extra precautions along the coast, consider travel routes and to never drive through floodwaters.
- Read more about the impending weather here.

Note, King tides and large northeast swell are forecast during this time. The combination of strong easterly winds and lowering air pressures associated with such a deep low could cause an inundation to coasts exposed to the north and east.

Image: Stuff

Image
D
2321 days ago

Asbestos in schools

Doaa from Henderson

The government recall website warned today and recalled a number of bunsen burner mats which contains asbestos. If you are a teacher or student or staff in any school please deliver this message on to protect everyone at the school, the notice is in this link
www.recalls.govt.nz...

2325 days ago

Do you have any tips for getting rid of weeds?

Simon Smith Reporter from Western Leader

What weed do you hate the most? Auckland is the weediest part of the country, botanist Professor Philip Hulme says.

You can hear Hulme speak at a free lecture at Titirangi War Memorial Hall on July 31 at 7pm. No RSVP needed.

* We occasionally use Neighbourly comments in articles - please tell… View more
What weed do you hate the most? Auckland is the weediest part of the country, botanist Professor Philip Hulme says.

You can hear Hulme speak at a free lecture at Titirangi War Memorial Hall on July 31 at 7pm. No RSVP needed.

* We occasionally use Neighbourly comments in articles - please tell us if you don't want your comment used.

Image
Top