Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association

April 2007 newsletter

Subscriptions

A red sticker indicates you have not yet paid your subscription of $ 25. Please send to Helen Hewitson at 4 Cathryn St RD31 Levin. Please, if you receive your newsletter by email check to see if you have paid. It appears to be easy to forget!

AGM and Holiday Activities

Your committee for this year is: John Hewitson Chairperson, Erica Wyatt Secretary, Helen Hewitson Treasurer, Liz Duncan, Cecily Archer, Lesley Anne Walker, Joe Wilson, Graham Hassell, John Brown, Gary Drake.

Speed Limit

At the AGM the question of the speed limit in Waikawa Beach Rd and within the settlement was discussed. There was a very mixed reaction to the suggestion that Waikawa Beach Rd be limited to 80kph and 30khm in the village over December and January. I would be pleased to hear your views.

Honorary Life member

Erica Wyatt was made an Honorary Life member of the Association.

Holiday Activities

All the holiday activities were thoroughly enjoyed and this is Andy’s photo of the winning sand sculpture. We are getting professional aren’t we!

Obituary: Andy Chaplow

It is with regret that I inform you of the sudden and untimely death of Andy Chaplow. Andy was a member of the committee, the organiser of Boat Day and a stalwart helper at all the holiday activities. He will be sadly missed. Our condolences to Karen and the children.

Boat Ramp

The Association was granted $2000 from the Manakau Medieval Market and it will be used to install a simple ramp by the footbridge to enable canoes and kayaks to have easier access to the river. It will be named Andy’s Ramp as he would have made good use of it!

Neighbourhood Support

A coordinator is still required for this essential post. Please let me know if you are interested. Continue to be vigilant and report anything suspicious. Try to make a note of the make and colour of any vehicle and even two or three letters or numbers of the numberplate. There was a daytime burglary not too long ago so we cannot afford to relax.

Working Bees

A working bee was held at Easter on the Reserve and it now looks very tidy and attractive. Another is planned for Anzac Day 9am at the entrance way where there is a large amount of mulch to spread. One truck load was donated by Mitchpine and we thank them most sincerely

Subdivisions

At present there are two subdivisions planned for the area.

Strathnaver Drive

This comprises 44 rural lots. Entrance is approximately by the first judder bar on Strathnaver Drive. The application for the development is available for inspection at the Horowhenua District Council offices in Bath St Levin or is available from Bianca Hurrell at Harrison Grierson Consultants Ltd Wellington on 04 385 0005. Submissions close 2 May and must be on the official form.

The Association will put in a submission re: concerns on ground water. Many of the lots could put down sandtraps and this would have a direct bearing on those of us who rely on ground water.

construction traffic. While Strathnaver was being developed there was a lot of heavy traffic on the road and this caused several near accidents. It is possible to restrict the hours and the speeds the trucks etc can travel
the provision for a fire tank.
provision for some land to be vested in the Horowhenua District Council as reserve land.
the type of native trees that are to be planted along the road ways.
the possibility of a 30km speed restriction both in the subdivision and the village as all traffic to the new development would travel via Sarah St.

Waikawa Lakes

This development has not yet been lodged for Resource Consent. It is situated adjacent to Wakawa Beach Rd and Sarah St. The proposal is for 93 rural lots with lakes. I would appreciate any comments or concerns you might have.

Erica Wyatt

Secretary

24 Manga Pirau St Waikawa Beach

RD 31

Levin

Ph 06 362 6679

E-mail pberrett@xtra.co

Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association

Subscription : 1 October 2006 – 30 September 2007 $25

Name ______________________________

Address ______________________________

______________________________

Beach Address ______________________________

E-Mail Address ______________________________

Send to: Helen Hewitson 4 Cathryn St Waikawa Beach RD31 Levin

October 2005 newsletter

Working Bees

Three have been held so far this year and it was gratifying to have so many turn out for the last one, when $1000 worth of small shrubs were planted at the entrance way. Our grateful thanks to the Manakau Medieval Market Charitable Association for their grant of the $1000. The area surrounding the shrubs has been sprayed and it is planned to spread twig mulch to save the continual mowing of the area. Arrangements have been made to enable the area to be watered this summer should it be dry. This should ensure a good start to the plants all of which have been recommended as hardy and suitable for our conditions.

So all hands to the wheel on Saturday 22 October 9am. Please bring a bucket or spade to spread the mulch. Your presence will be welcomed.

Rubbish Collection

Saturday 22 October commencing 10am a truck will drive around the streets to pick up hard rubbish from your gate. Your help please to load the trucks. As there was so much to be collected last year we are having two trucks so have a good clean out and I apologise for the late notice. Whitebaiting and school holidays took a priority!

One price this year — $5.

Wheelie bins are recommended over the holiday period and are available from Levin Container Rubbish 06 368 2438 for a minimum four week period — $25.

Monday rubbish collection must be in official Council bags available from the Manakau dairy or local supermarkets. Recyclables only in supermarket bags.

Beach Clean up

Another will be organized in January. Watch the notice boards.

Holiday Activities

AGM

Wednesday 28 December 3.30pm Hank Edwards Reserve. Please bring a chair. Refreshments will be provided following the meeting.

Golf

Friday 30 December Otaki Golf Club. Tee off at 11am.

Ring John Hewitson 06 362 6926

Fun Sports

Sunday 1 January 2pm Hank Edwards Reserve. This was a most enjoyable occasion last year. Fun for all ages. Don’t miss it.

Boat Day

Monday 2 January 11.30pm At the bridge.

The usual swimming boogie board and boat races followed by the Big Dig for children up to 12 years. Check the notice board. Sausages and drinks available.

Ambrose Golf

Tuesday 3 January 10am Levin Golf Club.

Fun for all the family. Ring Ngaire Hunter 06 362 6007

Holiday Traffic

Unfortunately we have not yet been able to have a 30km speed restriction within the village for December and January so please take care when driving — and walking!

Liquor Bylaws

A reminder that a liquor ban is in place for Guy Fawkes night and New Years Eve. The ban applies to the streets, the Reserves and the beach.

Cape Daisy

The whole area is a mass of those little yellow flowers that quickly smother your lawn. The Council sprayed the Hank Edwards Reserve last year with great success. Should you wish to clear up your berm and lawns use Tordon Gold which will kill broadleaf plants but not the grass.

Subscriptions

Lastly — yes you guessed — its subscription time again! The years seem to speed by. Please send your $20 to Helen Hewitson 4 Cathryn St RD31 Levin

Happy Holidays

Erica

Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association

Subscription : 1 October 2005 — 30 September 2006 $20

Name ______________________________

Address ______________________________

______________________________

Beach Address ______________________________

E-Mail Address ______________________________

Send to: Helen Hewitson 4 Cathryn St Waikawa Beach RD31 Levin

March 2005 newsletter

Subscriptions

Thank you to those who have paid their subs for this year. A red sticker indicates you have not yet sent in your $20. I cannot do this by email as I send the newsletter by group — please check. You may email me if you are unsure. $20 payable to Helen Hewitson, 4 Cathryn St RD31 Levin.

Committee for 2005

Chairperson John Hewitson, Secretary Erica Wyatt, Treasurer Helen Hewitson, Committee Liz Duncan, Cecily Archer, Anita Nalder, Lesley Anne Walker, John Brown, Andy Chaplow, Graeme Hassell, Paul Coles.

Holiday Activities

Boat Day, Fun Sports and the two golf days

These were well patronized and thoroughly enjoyed. The Fun Sports was a great success and is sure to be an annual event. Thank you to the organizers and the helpers.

Working Bees

Two have been arranged for this year Saturday 26 March 9am and Saturday 4 June 9am. Meet at the Reserve. You will agree that the entrance way and the Hank Edwards Reserve are looking great. We would dearly love to see a few new faces – many hands make light work!

Jet Skis

It would be appreciated if jet skis were not used in the river, even at the speed limit of 5km per hour. Out at sea please give swimmers and picnickers a wide berth.

AGM

This was well attended and as a follow up to general business, I can report that the Regional Council will reintroduce the rabbit virus later in the year. The Rescue helicopter is remaining in Palmerston North and the Association has made a donation of $100.

Rubbish Collection

The Labour weekend hard rubbish collection proved well worth while and will be repeated. The Council rubbish bags are collected on Mondays by Levin Container Rubbish and contrary to popular belief they do recycle the recyclables! Put your items in a supermarket bag and leave it by your gate. A laminated copy of the recyling calendar will be placed on the notice board.

River water

This was tested again in December and is fit for swimming but not drinking.

Boat Ramp

It has been found necessary to endeavour to have the end of Manga Pirau St by the notice board kerbed and channeled to avoid flooding and the subsequent run off onto the bank where the ramp will be. Consequently this is on hold in the interim.

Speed restrictions

We have asked Horowhenua District Council to investigate the possibility of a permanent 80km speed limit on Waikawa Beach Rd from Takapu Rd to the village. It is hoped to have a 30km speed limit within the village next December and January.

Trees on berms

The Council has removed several of the trees that were causing a concern on the berms. Several more require trimming and we hope this is in hand.

A Bit of History

(taken from the 1989 newsletter)

“Did you know that the late Bob Semple, Minister of Public works, made his weekend hideaway at Waikawa. His first permanent campsite was located adjacent to the east end of the bridge (the old one of course) and included a bus body, timber frames over which Railways! tarpaulins were stretched and there was a grand fireplace of corrugated iron. Subsequently he built a permanent place, now owned by Chaplows (Waikawa Beach Rd). Bob tried his hand at beautification of the road verge from his house down to Blue Skies gate by having the P.W.D. truck in and plant full grown pohutakawas. This exercise failed as is obvious, they died. One always knew when Bob and Annie were going to spend the weekend at the beach. Sometime Friday the P.W.D. road grader would smooth the gravel surface from the end of the tarseal at Takapu Rd to the beach. Later the big black Chrysler Windsor would arrive with the family. The car would return empty only to return on Sunday night to take the family back to Wellington. Bob loved the wilderness area as did his family. He also reveled in his sport of shooting both ducks and rabbits and was always on the look out for sambar deer. There are unconfirmed reports of “big” (very big) bags of game returning to the House for distribution. It is said that he also had the then agent for Caterpillar demonstrate the new fangled dozer at Waikawa to the P.W.D. and assembled guests, building a giant dam across the river opposite Cathryn St, and cut a new mouth to the sea at that point. This happened in 1944/45 when the river ran in a straight track from the bridge to the Wairongomai stream. When Bob finally retired from politics he did so to Otaki and so ended an Hon. Era.”

Erica

Postscript

Last week on Friday 18 March early evening, an overseas tourists’ car was broken into at the bridge while the occupants were walking on the beach. Important documents and valuables were stolen. This is the second such incident this summer. I would implore everyone to be very vigilant and report anything suspicious. We are a small community and do not have many casual vehicles particularly out of the peak holiday season. Note a vehicle number and advise John Hewitson 06 362 6926 or Erica Wyatt 06 362 6679.

Waikawa Beach Ratepayers Association

Subscription : 1 October 2004 — 30 September 2005 $20

Name ______________________________

Address ______________________________

______________________________

Beach Address ______________________________

E-Mail Address ______________________________

Send to: Helen Hewitson 4 Cathryn St Waikawa Beach RD31 Levin

WBRA AGM 29 December 1974

This was the first Annual General Meeting of the WBRA. 60 people attended.

Some points from the AGM:

The Committee was reduced to 6 plus Chair and Secretary.
Mr Ken Dalzell was re-elected as Chair.
Secretary: Mr Stan Calvert; Committee: Mr. M Hurn, Mark Edwards, Alistair McKay, C. H. Spidy, Dr. Shirtcliffe, C. Mackie.
All members were asked to make a $5 contribution to fund the river works.

Some points from the Report:

In 1974 concern about erosion of the western river bank led to the formation of the Association.
The Committee were clear that they did not want the character of the river as a desirable swimming and boating facility to be changed.
The bridge was repaired.
The area was cleaned up and rubbish bins were to be available over the holidays, but there would be no regular rubbish collection.
A trial found the Fire Brigade could be on scene within 12 minutes of receiving a call.
Tree planting was expected to go ahead.
The Post Office promised a public call box.
A 30 Kph speed limit was not possible but safety measures were to be instituted.

WBRA AGM 29 December 1974 Report Page 1.

WBRA AGM 29 December 1974 Report Page 2.

WBRA AGM 29 December 1974 Report Page 3.

WBRA Minutes 20 December 1974

The (first) newsletter to ratepayers was approved. A key topic at this meeting was a meeting with the Council about river protection.

It was agreed that to preserve the river on its present course some work would have to be done with reasonable urgency.

Various parties agreed to provide funds, with the WBRA putting in $500.

The Fire Committee Report was approved.

The AGM timing was decided for the Christmas holidays.

A noticeboard was to be erected at the end of Waikawa Beach Road.

Fire Committee – Report on activities 30 November 1974

As it still is now, fire was a concern in 1974. A subcommittee took on the topic. On Saturday 30 November 1974 the Fire Department and the WBRA did a trial run and drill of sending a tender and pumps out to Waikawa Beach. The day was deemed a success, especially as it highlighted some problems.

Note the part of the text that says:

… whilst the balance of the Fire Crew rushed a portable pump unit through the lane between Mr. Branigan and Mr. Mackie’s property to the river, hoses were run out with the intention of pumping water to the empty section adjacent to Mr. McCulloch’s section. Unfortunately there was a strong tide coming up the river and before the Fire Crew knew what had happened, the portable pump was partly submerged in the rising tide. The portable pump was therefore inoperable and that part of the drill was then cancelled.

There were several suggestions for improved fire safety, including folks with phones having the emergency number to hand, signs and notices, another request for a public phone, two-storied houses having ladders, fire water tanks and a survey of households.

Fire Committee Report 30 November 1974 Page 1.

Fire Committee Report 30 November 1974 Page 2.

Fire Committee Report 30 November 1974 Page 3.