Saturday, 7 September, 1pm-3pm, next Wairau Estuary flood clean up

Please put in your calendar. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/stream-care-wairau-estuary  

Volunteers will again load debris onto the Mariners' small barge. A Pupuke Birdsong, Milford Residents and Milford Mariners combined event. 

Previous Milford Estuary Clean-up in the news. Our Auckland: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/08/locals-muck-in-to-clean-up-wairau-estuary/  Rangitoto Observer. Scroll through to page 6.  SMALL_RangitotoObserver_19July2024.pdf

Milford Residents Assn's August newsletter 

Storm Recovery and Property Categorisation Update - Important development

The Government recently approved property buy-outs for high-risk properties where an infrastructure solution cannot be delivered in a reasonable timeframe (2-3 years). This specifically affects Nile Road properties in Milford and we can be grateful to our local MP, Simon Watts, for the leadership he has shown on this issue. Homeowners need to register for an assessment and risk report before 30 September 2024.

Key points:

• Government's amendment to the Auckland Funding Agreement to progress buy-outs in the above category will help give certainty to at least 200 Auckland homeowners, and means they won't be living for up to 10 years in a high-risk home while their community infrastructure project is completed.
• With this in mind, Council is now progressing risk reports for properties that are awaiting these decisions, including neighbourhoods around the Nile Road area in Milford, as well as the Clover Drive area in Ranui.
• While there will be more buy-outs than originally expected in these areas, it's important to note that not all homes will meet the threshold of having an intolerable risk to life. Council expects to see a mixture of Category 1, Category 2P and Category 3 homes.
• When a homeowner in these areas will receive their category depends on Council finalising the risk report for each property. Council has already been able to provide some homeowners in this situation with their final category.
• Council encourages anyone living in the Nile Road area, and any homeowners of severely storm-damaged properties, to register for a free risk assessment before the 30 September 2024 deadline. See important information below about why you should consider all your options.

Environmental News

Saturday, 7 September, 1pm-3pm, next Wairau Estuary flood clean up - please put in your calendar. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/stream-care-wairau-estuary  Volunteers will again load debris onto the Mariners' small barge. A Pupuke Birdsong, Milford Residents and Milford Mariners combined event. 

Monday, 2 September, 10am to 12 noon, Eco Pop-Up at Takapuna Library. Bring your plastic or metal bottle caps and jar lids to recycle responsibly. Free. A Pupuke Birdsong event. https://pupukebirdsong.org.nz/event/eco-pop-up-september-24-plastic-or-metal-bottle-caps-jar-lids/

Milford Estuary Clean-up in the news. Our Auckland: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2024/08/locals-muck-in-to-clean-up-wairau-estuary/  Rangitoto Observer. Scroll through to page 6.  SMALL_RangitotoObserver_19July2024.pdf

Milford Projects in Regional Coastal Assets Renewal Programme:  Milford has two local projects included in the 2024/2025 work programme. They are the damaged timber retaining wall on the Inga Road side of the Wairau estuary/marina and repairs to the Lake Pupuke sea wall. The report makes for interesting reading as it covers Auckland Council's whole coastal assets renewal 2024/2025 programme and discusses some of the projects completed last year.  Always instructive to see what projects other parts of Auckland are having done! Here: MEMO - Regional Coastal Renewals Work Programme Update 2024-25.pdf

Auckland Council Shoreline Adaptation Plan - Auckland Council is consulting on this plan, all submissions due 26 September. The consultation documents are of interest to all residents and especially to owners of coastline properties. Read or download here: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/shoreline-adaptation-plans-waitemata-harbour-and-weiti-estuary-to-devonport-peninsula. 

There are a number of scheduled opportunities in August and September to learn more and ask questions about this plan. Check them out: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/shoreline-adaptation-plans-waitemata-harbour-and-weiti-estuary-to-devonport-peninsula/widgets/441428/key_dates#166285

This newsletter is being written in the middle of a very cold and windy blast of weather. However, there's plenty of bird action around our suburb which means spring is not far away. Morning yoga classes in the Senior Citizens Hall are accompanied by tui racing through the bushes outside the windows. 

To receive this newsletter directly, please email: chairs@milford.org.nz