Milford Residents Association and Takapuna Residents Association were among the groups who addressed Council's Planning, Environment and Parks Committee meeting on 30 November. We were speaking in support of Council obtaining permanent public access across the now closed off property at 9 Kitchener Road. Our full presentation is here: Milford Residents Assn submission to Planning Cttee 30 Nov 2023.pdf. We are grateful to Milford residents Christine Handford and Richard Burton who presented their submission alongside us. Many present did not identify a lot of sympathy for our position around the Council table. Nevertheless, the attendance of the entire Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and strong advocacy by Chair Toni van Tonder not to keep kicking the can down the road but to find a solution gave us (the community) another chance to achieve permanent access. The Local Board has been given the role of meeting the property owners to find a way forward and we all hope they are able to do this. There's only one acceptable outcome in our view (permanent access) and we support their efforts to achieve this. We will keep you posted.
27 January 2023 Floods - Reflections and Making Space for Water strategy update
Milford Residents Assn responded positively to the January flood and our community's needs by opening the pop-up community centre in the MSCC hall. We gathered the disparate pieces of information being put out by many, many sources in one place and delivered them by email to our members. We distributed household linens and clothing locally and to the Mangere Emergency Centre. Groceries and supermarket vouchers were given to people who were flooded in Milford and to the Sunnynook Community Centre. Thanks to all our wonderful Milford people for their overwhelming generosity.
The Local Board were recently briefed by Healthy Waters on their proposed Making Space for Water Blue-Green network which has been prioritised in response to the extreme flooding and landslide events on 27 January and Cyclone Gabrielle (11-17 February). There will be more information disseminated over time but bullet points are:
If you want to find out more information about the ongoing process of the Blue-Green Networks, you can join a webinar hosted by the Auckland Recovery Office on Monday, 18 December, 6.30-7.45pm.
You will receive up-to-date information on:
Milford Residents email to members 26 August 2023
A fun event and opportunities to give feedback on Auckland Council's flood recovery and civil defence emergency plans in today's email.
Fun stuff first. Pop Bang Boom! Next Saturday, 2 September, 9.30/10.00am-3.00pm, Milford Residents Assn is holding a community pom pom making day to contribute to a new artwork installation for NZ Sculpture on the Shore in November. Artist Lang Ea, who created Beacon in the Milford Reserve, has been commissioned to swathe one of the historic Fort Takapuna gun emplacements with red wool pom poms. 10,000 pom poms are required to do this and Lang needs the Milford community's help. Call in for 10 minutes or an hour and make 3 pompoms or 30. All materials and instruction provided. Bring the children and enjoy participating in making this new artwork which will be called Pop Bang Boom! Venue is the Lounge of the MSCC Community Hall. 141A Kitchener Road (behind New World facing the car park). Details of the project and event here: Pop-Bang-Boom.pdf
Auckland Council requests feedback:
Tamaki Makaurau Recovery Plan - feedback closes 31 August 2023
Council has responded to the catastrophic flooding and landslides experienced early in the year and requests your feedback on their proposals for Flood Mitigation and Storm Recovery plans. The proposal document has been prepared by Healthy Waters (the Council's stormwater division) and the Recovery Office. One of the central parts of their proposal is the concept of Making Space for Water through improved operations and maintenance, neighbourhood solutions and site-specific interventions. The very badly flooded Wairau Creek/Wairau Valley is highlighted as somewhere to be considered for a blue-green network. This would mean having areas of open space alongside the creek which would flood in heavy rain but be available as public park and open space most of the time. We encourage everyone to contribute to this important consultation. Go online to AucklandHaveYourSay and give your views on their plans. We hope you will support the proposed flood mitigation works along the whole Wairau Creek and Wairau Valley including the development of blue-green networks. The consultation document is easy to read, concise and available at the following link. Your feedback can be made online at the same link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/storm-recovery
Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan - feedback closes 31 August 2023
The Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan outlines proposals to reorganise Council's civil defence group which was highly criticised after the Anniversary Weekend rain and flood event. As above, there is a consultation document and an online feedback survey, both available at: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cdem-group-plan
Wairau Estuary Cleanup, Sunday, 13 August This was another successful event. Thanks so much to all the regular helpers who turned out yet again to chip away at the flood rubbish. We now have a very good idea of how much more wood and large items remain out in the middle section of the mangroves. They even include a large outdoor dining table. Thank you Vicki for allowing easy access to the lower part of the estuary.
For Your Diaries - it's that time again!
Meet the General Election Candidates for North Shore, Tuesday, 26 September, 7pm at Milford Baptist Church
This meeting is a real community effort, jointly arranged by Milford Residents, Castor Bay Ratepayers & Residents and Takapuna Residents associations and Milford Baptist Church.
Milford Residents Association Incorporated
141A Kitchener Road
Milford
Auckland 0620
info@milford.org.nz
chairs@milford.org.nz
Norma Bott Co-chair |
489 4119 |
| ||
Debbie Dunsford Co-chair |
410 3696 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Heather Masefield Secretary |
|
| ||
Alistair Laurie |
|
|
|
|
Helen Pilkington |
|
|
| |
Peter Carter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming events coming soon!
Stay up to date with local issues and be represented as a member of the Milford Residents Association. Help make sure our community stays a great place to live.