To keep ratepayers of Waikawa Beach informed
This was first published in the Waikawa Beach Newsletter, April 2007:
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.
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!
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.
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.
Erica Wyatt was made an Honorary Life member of the Association.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
At present there are two subdivisions planned for the area.
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.
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
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.
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.
Another will be organized in January. Watch the notice boards.
Wednesday 28 December 3.30pm Hank Edwards Reserve. Please bring a chair. Refreshments will be provided following the meeting.
Friday 30 December Otaki Golf Club. Tee off at 11am.
Ring John Hewitson 06 362 6926
Sunday 1 January 2pm Hank Edwards Reserve. This was a most enjoyable occasion last year. Fun for all ages. Don’t miss it.
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.
Tuesday 3 January 10am Levin Golf Club.
Fun for all the family. Ring Ngaire Hunter 06 362 6007
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
This was tested again in December and is fit for swimming but not drinking.
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.
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.
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.
(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
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