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Rodney Local Board Announce Plans
Rodney Local Board Announce Plans

16 July 2020, 6:00 PM

This week, the Rodney Local Board have kicked-off consultation on their draft local board plan, outlining what they plan to focus on to help the community thrive, and to support recovery from COVID-19.The plan is the board's strategic document that will guide their investment decisions for the next three years, commencing 1 July, 2021. The draft has been put together from feedback they have received to date or has been carried over from the previous plan.This year, the local board will need to balance the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in their decision making, but they are still keen to hear about other ideas.The main outcomes outlined in the plan include:Safe, improved transport options to connect our communities Healthy and protected natural environmentEnsuring infrastructure and development meet the needs of our growing communities Ensuring our communities are resilient and have access to what they need Ensuring our local parks and recreation facilities meet the needs of our growing communities. The Rodney Local Board are hosting a community webinar to answer any questions you may have regarding the plan, which you can register for at https://bit.ly/32gZCoC. The webinar will be held next week on Wednesday the 22nd July. If you are part of the Rodney community and have thoughts on how the local board can improve any initiatives, or you believe there are projects that should be considered, please have a read of the plan and be sure to give your feedback. Click Here

Growing Imperfect and Sustainable Flowers, Meet Aila
Growing Imperfect and Sustainable Flowers, Meet Aila

14 July 2020, 6:00 PM

If you are looking for some beautiful blooms, you can't go past Hands in the Dirt: a sustainable, spray-free, flower farm based 15km out of Warkworth. Growing a variety of flowers throughout summer, but focusing on Dahlias, all their flowers are perfectlyimperfect and lovingly grown. Every flower seems to have their own personality and little quirks. The majority of the flowers are sold by the bucket, giving the buyer the freedom to experiment and the ability to fill up five different vases or give flowers away to friends. This year they will also be incorporating bouquets for those who are interested. As well as the flowers, Hands in the Dirt have a small, spray-free watermelon patch and all their watermelons are either juiced or sold to the public. Aila, the owner and grower of Hands in the Dirt puts a lot of love into what she does.  “I’ve always preferred being outdoors with my hands in the dirt. It’s what drove me, seeing life move forward. In 2016, I moved up to Warkworth with myfamily after living in Devonport for the majority of my life. Whilst in Devonport, I had a 1m x 1m veggie garden. Moving up north and suddenly having 12 acres of land gave me room experiment withflowers and watermelons. The land is so fertile that everything I grew seemed to explode into life! Over the course of three years, the flower field has continuously grown as my passion and interest increases as well.”All of the flowers and produce are grown with sustainable and natural practices. The majority of large-scale flower farms out there use herbicides and pesticides for the treatment of bugs and diseases on the flowers which also wipes out beneficial flora and fauna. “On our farm, soil health is the most important thing. Everything is created from the earth so nothing nasty should be put back into it. This is something I am still learning and discovering about, so every day presents a new challenge. We also have an abundance of bees and other insects living in the flower field, so we will do everything to make sure we are not harming them. “In the end, our flowers don’t look drastically different to flowers that have been sprayed profusely. However, knowing that the flora and fauna surrounding the flower is healthy is what makes it worth it. Sustainability is a strong philosophy of ours. If I can educate or influence as many people as I can about the benefits of being sustainable, I will be doing my part to help Mother Nature.” Hands in the Dirt can either deliver the flowers to your doorstep or you’re welcome to make an appointment to come and pick with them. The watermelons are much the same. Typically,when people order a bucket of flowers, they also order a watermelon or two! Visit their facebook page or send them a message via their instagram to get your hands on some gorgeous flowers.Photos - Hands In the Dirt

Inorganic Collections Resuming
Inorganic Collections Resuming

13 July 2020, 5:27 PM

Inorganic collection bookings for Auckland have now reopened. A lot of properties weren't able to receive their scheduled collection earlier due to the covid-19 lockdown.  Every area of Auckland is allocated a week each year for an inorganic collection. If you have missed the set collection day for your area, you will have to find alternative ways of disposing of your items. To ensure as many residents as possible still get their collection as close to the original date as they can, Auckland Council has adjusted the remaining collection schedule for all other properties. That means if you had a collection booked, you need to rebook it so that your property is registered for the new service dates for your area. To rebook or check when your allocated collection week is, visit https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/inorganic-collections/Pages/book-inorganic-collection.aspx Wherever possible, you could try and find alternative ways to get rid of your inorganic waste, like selling or donating to secondhand sellers.  Examples of items that you can leave out for collection include:● large appliances – empty fridges, freezers, washing machines and ovens● small appliances – kettles, irons and vacuum cleaners● furniture – beds, couches, chairs, kitchen items and ornaments● sporting items – gym equipment, bicycles and toys● outdoor equipment – unassembled trampolines and basketball hoops● outdoor items – barbecues, garden tools and outdoor furniture● renovation items – carpet, timber (without any exposed nails), tools, fixtures and fittings, baths and sinks (metal and plastic only)● lawnmowers – with petrol and oil removed● electronics – TVs, computers, phones and DVD players And examples of some items that won't be collected: ● bags of rubbish, including items contained in Flexi-bags● household recycling material – containers, paper or cardboard● polystyrene, including bean bags and bean bag beans● garden waste – grass clippings, and tree and hedge trimmings● vehicle parts – automotive or boating items of any kind (tyres, parts, seats, engines, etc.)● construction, demolition or trade waste – tiles, plaster / gib board, concrete, ceramic or porcelain, toilet bowls or toilet seats● any items containing concrete, porcelain or ceramic material (planters, umbrella bases, pavers, etc.)● glass of any kind● clothing of any kind● liquids – oil, petrol, paint and chemicals● hazardous waste – poisons, batteries and medical waste● asbestos – fibrolite, floor coverings made of asbestos, lagging and ceiling coating.● gas cylinders – CNG or LPG containers● weapons of any kind (e.g. swords and guns)wheelie bins of any kind.

New Warkworth Subdivision Offering Beauty and Tranquility
New Warkworth Subdivision Offering Beauty and Tranquility

11 July 2020, 11:53 PM

A new boutique housing development has recently come on the market in Warkworth. Just north of Warkworth on Goatley Road, the seven-lot subdivision features an impressive view and generous section sizes. Developer, Mark Dashper, believes the new Warkworth subdivision is perfect for those seeking a work/life balance. “At only a 50-minute drive from Auckland central, Dashper Drive offers convenient access to the city while being just a stone’s throw from popular beaches such as Omaha and Tawharanui”.“It is the perfect location for those looking to build their dream home in a relaxed, slow-paced environment”. Section sizes range from 1.15 hectares to 1.51 hectares and are ideal for buyers looking to build in a quiet, tranquil setting while still being close to town.Dashper Drive offers something for people from all walks of life. Whether you are retirees, young families, or professionals looking to exit the bustle of the big city, the development provides a quiet space among nature to build. Lot 5 is currently available for purchase, and lot 6 and 7 are now under development and will be available soon. Lot 5 is the most elevated section at Dashper Drive and boasts sweeping views of the valley to the south. The site also features its very own private waterfall and a secluded bush clearing. In 1977, Richard and Madeleine Dashper purchased the farm and turned it into a goat farm, a working pottery, an architectural practice and a lifestyle block. They continued to live in the old Goatley homestead which they restored to an original condition. Traditionally over the next 40 years, people would refer to their house (the Goatley homestead) as being up Dashper’s drive off Goatley Rd.​The subdivision consists of 7 Lots. Lot 1 is the old Goatley homestead still owned by the Dashper family at the end of the Dashper driveway. 100 acres of native bush is now covenanted and attached to Lot 1. Lot 2 supports the modern homes by the roadside at the start of the Dashper driveway. Lots 3 and 4 are already sold. Lots 5 is ready for sale and Lots 6 and 7 are being developed and almost ready for sale, each being approximately 1 hectare in size. Dashper Drive is the perfect option for those looking for land for sale in Warkworth and will allow buyers to build their own, private sanctuary surrounded by native bush and thriving wildlife.

Weddings; The New Normal
Weddings; The New Normal

08 July 2020, 6:00 PM

Love, marriage, and COVID–19 … Regardless of whether you have planned every part of your special day, you’re still clutching on to some planning ideas in your Pinterest folder, or you’re in love and thinking of getting hitched… COVID-19 has had an impact on weddings ...  But don't lose sight of your perfect day yet! Local company,Event Junkies, has found that while alert level and travel restrictions may have an impact, they are confident you can still pull off your dream wedding with research, forward planning, and by asking for help from a professional.  While we may be able to move around the country freely under alert level one, those wanting to tie the knot with overseas visitors present still have a while to wait until border restrictions lift. The timeline on these restrictions is not yet clear, but there is hope.Please refer to the official covid19.govt.nz website for more details.  If you do have a lot of friends or family overseas, there is always the option of having your guests attend your special day via an online events platform that lets your guests interact with each other while witnessing your big day. Event Junkieshas has a platform called Hopin that does just that. Get them all to dress up and send gift packs in advance to create a feeling of attendance. It may be unconventional, but it can be just as fun. Covid-19 has meant that a lot of people are under financial pressure. If costs and stress are piling up for your the big day, Event Junkies believe it is much more cost effective to find venues with pre-packaged weddings. This will not only save you money, but also the time and stress it would take to run around and plan your special day under the current climate. There are a few quirky options that will make your day stand out. Check out the wedding packages Event Junkies has on their website - www.eventjunkies.co.nz  - or get in touch with Freddie or Annie on 021 046 0626 to discuss your options.   

Blue Penguin Project
Blue Penguin Project

07 July 2020, 9:58 PM

The Leigh Penguin Project is working to create a safe habitat for penguins and other seabirds along the coast from Ti Point Wharf to Goat Island, with a focus on the little blue penguins who come ashore every year.  The little blue penguins come to shore each year during their moulting period, when they take two to three weeks to replace their feathers. During the moult, they cannot swim and are very vulnerable to dogs, cats and stoats.  They also come ashore to nest around June and July. The little blue penguin species has been deemed at risk by the Department of Conservation; their population has been declining in areas not protected from predators. Where predator control is in place, populations have been stable or increasing.Over 50 penguin nesting boxes offering these little guys some more substantial shelter from predators, mostly made by members of Forest and Bird NZ, have been placed around the Ti Point, Leigh and Goat Island coast. Auckland Council organised a sniffer dog to explore the Ti Point coast. The dog identified 16 places where penguins had been nesting and that is where the boxes have been placed. To further protect little blue penguins and other birdlife, theLeigh Penguin Project has begun a predator control programme targeting rats, stoats, weasels and possums around the coast. If you live locally and would be keen to help with predator controls, please contact Jenny on [email protected].  

Snells Beach Man Finds Ring
Snells Beach Man Finds Ring

04 July 2020, 9:57 PM

Snells Beach resident Oliver Trottier has reunited a man from Orewa with his wedding ring, which he lost while surfing.  The ring fell off at Orewa Beach on Thursday. The intrepid surfer then spent some time trying to find it, but to no avail.After scolding him for not taking his ring off while out surfing, his wife took to the Hibiscus Coast Facebook group to see if anyone had found a ring, but with no luck.  Instead, she found a post by Snells Beach resident Oliver Trottier, who has a passion for metal detecting, and had previously found someone else's ring with his metal detector, so she asked if he could help find it. Happy to help, Trottier spent several hours scouring the beach on Saturday night, but interference from a lightning storm posed a challenge, so he decided to call it a night and try again on Monday. After about four hours of hard work, Trottier found the ring in a deep hole in the sand. Asked why he was so willing to spend hours helping outsomeone he'd never met before, Trottier said it was "super rewarding". He's since been asked to help two others find their rings in the upcoming school holidays. Other cool things he's picked up with his metal detector include a World War I artillery helmet badge, musket rounds and a coin from 1834. His advice for others who lose things on the beach was to take note of their surroundings, such as any trees they're standing in line with. "It can turn a six-hour thing into a five-minute thing”. 

Puhoi To Warkworth Motorway Delayed Seven Months
Puhoi To Warkworth Motorway Delayed Seven Months

02 July 2020, 6:00 PM

The Puhoi to Warkworth motorway project is now due to open mid May 2022, rather than the original completion date of October 2021, due to delays caused by the Covid-19 lockdown.The New Zealand Transport Agency and Fletcher Building have reached an agreement on how to manage the Covid-19-related delays. The agreement includes a second payment to Fletcher to cover the cost of delays: $85 million.The lockdown came just before three million cubic metres of earth were due to be moved. By the time lockdown was over and work could start again, the ground was too wet for the earth works to happen, which has had a knock-on effect for the planned winter construction programme, Seven months have been added to the completion date and $85 million to the price tag.”We know people have been looking forward to using this spectacular new motorway and while any delay is disappointing, we are pleased with the quality of the project and the progress that had been made prior to COVID-19, and we are pleased we have a good plan for getting it open to the public as soon as possible despite circumstances beyond anyone’s control”, says Waka Kotahi Transport Services, General Manager, Brett Gliddon.The pandemic is the second delay to the project. The first hurdle encountered was slow land purchasing agreements and appeals to the environmental court. These resulted in a payment of $83 million to Fletcher to cover delays. The initial estimate for NZTA's total agreed contribution to the project was $709.5 million, but this has now risen to $877.5 million. NZTA’s suggested tolling of the road to counter the costs was met with a great deal of public backlash.The expected completion date is still heavily dependent on good weather and no additional unexpected challenges, including further disruptions from Covid-19.

Kowhai Park Bridge Blows Budget
Kowhai Park Bridge Blows Budget

01 July 2020, 9:48 PM

Plans to build a concrete path from Kowhai Park to the Warkworth showgrounds are blowing through the available budget of $630,000 to $925,830.The original estimated cost of the project was $335,000.The cost skyrocketed after the council’s community services team reported that an elevated 75-metre boardwalk structure and a 10-metre wooden bridge would be needed to span floodplain areas along the path. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the construction sector was unknown and had been factored into the cost estimate as a contingency.Due to the increase in cost, the project will be spaced out over a course of several years, starting with the section from Heritage Lane, off Melwood Drive, through to the southern side of the old Atlas site, where a temporary Park and Ride is due to be built by Auckland Transport. Stage Two would run from the northern edge of the Park and Ride to the showgrounds, and Stage Three would connect the two along the western edge of the Atlas site.Although the Park and Ride and footpath construction are separate projects, community services are working together with AT where possible.The original design for the path was for a 70-metre suspension bridge, but consent could not be obtained, so the 450-metre concrete pathway was chosen instead.However, as with many projects and budgets at present, members were warned that there was a degree of uncertainty over their going ahead, due Covid-19 and council’s subsequent revenue shortfall.Board members voted seven to two in favour of approving the path design through the former Atlas site and staging construction over future years “in an order that aligns with available funding”. Wellsford member Colin Smith and Warkworth member Tim Holdgate voted against the recommendation.

Staying On Track (sponsored)
Staying On Track (sponsored)

01 July 2020, 3:19 AM

During lockdown many of us discovered, amongst the various challenges, a new and refreshing pace of life.Those of us who did not have to leave our homes to work may have found a sense of peace within our homes. That small increase in time we all crave may have been found. If this was you, and the thought of moving back into a full-paced life again brings dread and worry, you’re not alone.Although we can’t avoid an increase in pace of life altogether, it may be possible to keep some of the silver linings we gained during lockdown that decreased our daily stress levels.Here are some ideas to consider:Look at planning a ‘stepped’ return to your usual routine where possible – try not to jump back in all at onceConsider negotiating a ‘work from home’ day – employers may be more open to this nowExplore how to simplify your morning routine – what DON’T you need to do?Take more walks during your day – keep up the exercise!Identify whānau activities that helped you connect, and plan them into your daySuggest virtual meetings and appointments where possible to cut down on travelBook in a ‘lock-in’ weekend and just stay at homeWork out how to drop any activities that bring more stress than benefit – we have a greatProblem Solving Guide in the ‘Staying on Track’ course that could helpHowever you choose to move back into Level 1, or ‘the new normal’, ensure you do it on your own terms.Be sure to recognise and prioritise you and your whānau’s needs going forward.And if you feel like you’d benefit from some extra wellbeing support at this time, why not give our free ‘Staying on Track’ course a go: Free Wellbeing Support

New Speed Limits From Today
New Speed Limits From Today

29 June 2020, 7:42 PM

Today many local roads will have a new speed limit in place. Below is a list of all the local roads affected. To see what the amended speed limits will be, visit the AT website.Leigh & Pakiri  Cape Rodney Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hGoat Island Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hKourataki Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hLaika Avenue - Was 80km/h now 40km/hLeigh Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hM Green Wood Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hMatheson Bush Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hMount Pleasant Drive - Was 100km/h now 40km/hPakiri Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hPakiri River Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hRodney Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hTairere Road - Was 80km/h now 60km/hTatham Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hTenetahi Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hTi Point Road - Was 80km/h now 40km/hMahurangi EastGrange Street - Was 100km/h now 80km/hHamilton Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hJackson Crescent - Was 100km/h now 80km/hLawrie Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hMahurangi East Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hMartins Bay Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hMiller Way - Was 100km/h now 60km/hRidge Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hScandrett Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hSophia Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hSuie Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hMahurangi WestBullock Track Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hHungry Creek Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hMahurangi West Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hNgarewa Drive - Was 100km/h now 40km/hPukapuka Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hMatakanaAnderson Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/h Quiet Rise- Was 100km/h now 60km/hTongue Farm Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hWright Road - Was 80km/h now 60km/hOmahaBroadlands Drive - Was 80km/h now 60km/hJones Road - Was 80km/h now 60km/hPoint Wells Road - Was 70km/h now 60km/hWarkworthDuck Creek Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hHamilton Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hSandspit Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hSharp Road - Was 100km/h now 80km/hThompson Road - Was 100km/h now 60km/hWestminster Glen - Was 100km/h now 80km/hWhangateauAshton Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hBirdsall Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hCoxhead Creek Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/hUpper Whangateau Road - Was 100km/h now 40km/h

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