PATUMAHOE & MAUKU community newsletter

Patumahoe Village Inc Issue 2 August 2011 Inside this issue:

Open Day .. 15 May 2011

Open Day......................1 Website/newsletter Authors..........................1 Patumahoe Bowling......2 Whats On.................... 2 Whakaupoko Landcare Walking Track.............3 Rat & Possum census.4 Chew Cards.................5 Mauku Primary............ 6 Patumahoe Primary......7 More than 250 people braved the wind and the rain on Sunday 15 May to come along and have a look at the Patumahoe/Mauku Open Day displays. Many an old friend was recognised and greeted with pleasure. Many thanks to Patumahoe Rugby Club for the use of the hall, and Patumahoe Volunteer Fire Brigade for helping out with the bouncy castle, and setting up (especially after having their awards night the previous evening). The information and comments provided by the participants on this day have been added to the information previously collected and will be used to create discussion documents and plans for the submission to Auckland Council next year. These documents will be available for review and comment as they are produced, and will be released to get community feedback. You can keep up with what is happening in this project by visiting the Patumahoe Village Inc pages on www.patumahoe.org.nz. Village signs.................7 Patumahoe Tennis...... 8 Business ads...............8 Scout Hall project........9 Akld Council ..............10 LTCCP project ...........11 Counties Power..........................12 Sponsors....................12 Contact Us..................12

Community websites & Newsletters Authors & contributors wanted

Slowly but surely the website is taking shape. Thanks to those businesses who have supported us thus far. More people are getting involved as contributors and authors which gives the site a more diverse and truly reflective community voice. Whakaupoko Landcare has now taken responsibility for the environment and nature pages, and information about their projects and surveys can be found online. They are also co-producers of this quarterly newsletter. Check out pages 3-5 on their current activities. We have also received some notices from some of the local sports clubs and invite others to contribute. Free onlne pages are available for ALL non-profit community clubs, organisations and groups - along with access to our online calendar. If you are computer illiterate - dont worry -training will be provided to those who want it.

www.patumahoe.org.nz www.mauku.org.nz

Patumahoe Bowling
Although the Patumahoe Bowling Club is in its winter recess, you wouldnt know it by the activity going on at the club. is proud to have a nationally qualified coach in Shirley Furniss, a secondary school champion Dearna Howe and a Counties Manukau 5years and under representative After a number of years of general Penny Wakelin. The club is also maintenance the club is undertaking a very well represented and enjoys major renovation of the bowling green success in many centre champisurface. onships and interclub tournaments. This has required as many hours as the weather will allow of voluntary labour by the small number of members, most of whom are well into their retirement years, ably led by Lin Howe who has devoted many years as the Greens Superintendent. Work has been underway since the end of March, starting with the dethatching of the green with many barrows of grooving removed only to be replaced with many barrows (approx. 8m3)of soil which has been finely sieved. The club has a great reputation for the welcome and support it shows to new members and visitors alike. It also hosts Line Dancing on a Monday morning at 10.00am and Indoor Bowls on Wednesdays (throughout the winter season) at 9.30am. Everyone is most welcome to join these. The club is looking forward to the new season with Opening Day scheduled for Saturday 10th September at 9.00am. Anyone interested in taking part and/or learning more about bowling is most welcome to come along. The bowling season will run until 28th April 2012.

Family is Everything seminar Parenting Inc event

Venue: Patumahoe Primary School Hall Date: Thursday 11th August 2011 Time: 7.15pm 9.30pm (doors open 7pm). Price: Early bird tickets are available until 4 August, priced at $15 single / $20 double. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theparentingplace.com or from Patumahoe School office, Liddells Pharmacy in Pukekohe or Deed Printing in Waiuku. For further information and details please email: tjridgley@xtra.co.nz

Patumahoe Bowling Club

Season Opening Day Date: Saturday 10 Sept 2011 Time: 9.00 am Venue: Patumahoe Bowling clubrooms The bowling season will run until 28th April 2012. Let us Entertain You, social afternoon Date: Sunday 18th September Time: 2.00pm to 5.30pm. Well known local musicians will provide the entertainment, snacks will be provided and the bar will be open. Tickets, at $10 per person, will be available from club members or by contacting Pam Howe 09 235 3381 or Penny Wakelin 09 236 4520.

The first sowing of seed took place late April. It seems as though this was a signal for what seems to be almost never ending rain to commence. This rain has not been kind to the green and the result is more weed and toad Club days are Wednesdays and Saturdays, with 9 tournaments schedrush than was expected. uled for Tuesdays throughout the This requires manual removal so over season. the last couple of months it has literally been head down, bottom up for If sufficient interest is shown, social many members. Although a seemingly twilight bowls will be arranged besoul less task, slowly but surely the tween December and March. improvement is being seen and the Fundraising and an increase in conversation is always interesting! membership is the main focus for A second sowing of seed has just taken the club this coming season. place, so fingers are crossed for the weather to be kinder. The first fundraising event, Let us Entertain You, will be a social afOnce the new growth is established ternoon on a Sunday in September the weeding will continue, and a main- (date to be confirmed) 2.00pm to tenance program will commence to 5.30pm. ensure the green is up to playing stanWell known local musicians will prodard by October/November. vide the entertainment, snacks will The club will be grateful for any offers be provided and the bar will be open. of help from members of the Patuma- Tickets, at $10 per person, will be available from club members or by hoe community. contacting Pam Howe 09 235 3381 The new executive of the club, under or Penny Wakelin 09 236 4520. the leadership of the President Pam Howe, decided to undertake this mam- An event not to be missed. moth effort to ensure that the community continues to benefit from this Pam and Penny are also the contacts facility. The bowling club has a long for anyone wanting to give bowls a and proud history in the district being go, any offers of help with the green formed in 1923 and producing many or sponsorship. fine champion bowlers. Penny Wakelin This continues and currently the club Patumahoe Bowling Club

Patumahoe Tennis starting early October

Night Tennis, Social tennis, Premier Grade and Junior coaching later in the month. Contact: Glenn or Marion Hunter Ph 2363225

ALL THESE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES CAN BE FOUND ONLINE BY VISITING THE whats on tab on the community websites. If you would like to add your event, please contact us. Details on back page.

-2-

Whakaupoko Landcare News

Walking Track to Patumahoe wetlands Working Bee
On Sunday 29th May 2011... about a dozen enthusiastic members of the Landcare Group spent a couple of hours with chain caws, scrub cutters loppers and spades cutting back the oevergrown gorse, wooly nightshade and blackberry to open up access to the wetlands below Clive Howe Drive.

Thanks to previous efforts of other members of the Patumahoe community in days gone by, the track had been formed with setps and planting of native trees. The taks ahead for the current project is to reconstruct the steps where necessary, plant additional native trees and clear away more of the unwanted vegetation. Gary Morriss, Whakaupoko Landcare Orignially posted on July 3 2011 www.patumahoe.org.nz Whakaupoko Landcare pages

Excerpt from minutes of Patumahoe Village Inc - Thursday 28th July 2011
Andrew Sinclair reporting on Whakaupoko Landcare projects A successful working bee took place on the walking track at the back of Clive Howe. Gorse was removed and Dave Puflett has already coordinated native planting. Andrew Moor and Richard Davenburg from Auckland Council came to view progress and are enthusiastic about supporting community initiatives such as this. Proposal to continue this track to include a bush walk and connection to Henrys Bush (entrance currently on Hunter Road) will be investigated and pursued. One of the adjoining landowners, Scott Gavin, has already indicated that he is happy to discuss the creation of an accessway on his land to achieve this. A final stage may include a swing bridge across the bottom of the waterfall, but it is considered to be a complete project with the connection of both bush reserves. Council staff also proposed that a meter to trace usage be installed. A small discussion on owner liablities took place, but it was considered superfluous until such time as council provided support and funding.

Whakaupoko Landcare can be found online by visiting our pages on:

www.patumahoe.org.nz or www.mauku.org.nz
Email: whakaupokolandcare@gmail.com
-3-

Whakaupoko Landcare News

Whakaupoko August Rat & Possum Census / We need your help.
If you have bush, shelter belts and sheds then read on

We have access to some new and amazing technology that has recently been developed. It is so simple and yet extremely effective. It is 3mm thick corflute (eg real estate signs) cut up into sections 180mm x 90mm. Peanut butter is applied and it is now called a Chew Card. They are placed low down on trees and fence posts for a week and by checking for bite marks you can see what is around. It is that simple. initial results have surprised us with larger numbers than expected and also many ferrets right in our back yard. While it is not strictly a census it provides excellent information on areas to target for rat & possum control. Also as we will be using this tool annually, it will provide excellent trend information. This helps with planning pest control in the area and is a key part for accountability in being able to source ongoing funding for pest control. Chew Cards are proving an extremely effective tool and are already being used extensively by the Animal Health Board in the war against possums and TB.
Chew Cards - What can you do? Go to Wecks ITM in Patumahoe and take some free Chew Cards and nails that have already been cut up by Whakaupoko Landcare volunteers. (You will need enough cards to make up a line through any bush to set them at around 50m spacings. Also include around houses and sheds). Follow the instructions attached. Make sure you write your name and address on the card. For further information visit www.patumahoe.org.nz in the Whakaupoko Landcare monitoring section. Set out the Chew Cards for 1 week If you have access to the internet go to Google Earth and on a satellite map of your property identify with a locator pin approximately where your Chew Cards were located. Collect the Chew Cards, print off a satellite map and return them to Wecks ITM (or simply email to andrew@climbingjack.com). You can have a go at identifying the bite marks and click on the Landcare Research document which has excellent images of a full range of bite marks from a wide range of pests. www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/researchpubs/chewcard_a_guide_to_the_interpretation_of_animal_tooth_impressions.pdf If you have rats and / or possums sort them out. Contact Whakaupoko Landcare if you need any assistance. Come along to an evening with an Animal Health Board Chew Card expert in early September. Time and date to be advised.

We will transfer your results onto the Chew Card map on the website. This census will be repeated every 12 months. For further Chew Card information contact Andrew Sinclair, Ph 236-3647

-4-

Whakaupoko Landcare News

Chew Cards are a great tool for monitoring pests - simple and very effective.
180mm
Chew Card Bait (on opposite sides)

90mm

1. Materials & Baiting Chew Cards are made frrom 3mm thick corflute with the flutes parallel with the 90mm edges. NB: Cut the chew cards accurately with straight edges so that the amount of bait in each card is uniform. Bait: Using smooth peanut butter is most simple. For an even more attractive bait you can add 20% icing sugar and/or 10% dark honey. Whatever option you choose stay consistent. Use 15-20 gms/ 10 cards / side = 2gms/side and 4gms/card Apply to only half of each side (so air not trapped). Spreading Bait Hold cards together and spread bait until all ends up inside corflute holes. Wipe excess onto edge cards as they often end up with less. (Note holes of corfulute are always on long side). Use a broad knife or even better - a paint scraper. The penetration of the bait should be 12 - 20mm and this can be checked by simply holding up the card in good light and viewing. The spread of bait should be at least 50mm wide. 2. Labelling and Location Label Chew Cards with eg. your name and individual card number. Attach to trees/ fences etec, approx 30cm above ground level using a 50 - 75mm flat head nail. Fold in half and the top flap lleave at approx 45 (NB: Avoid locating on fence lines with electric wires as some pests avoid electric fences).

One full knife scoop = approx 15 -20 gms

3 Spacing and places to locate Chew Cards In bush use 1 card every 50m and set as a path of best fit in terms of likely pest habitat and ease

of locating. If the bush is wider than 200m then include additional lines approsimately 150m distant from the first. Along shelter lines use a spacing of 100m In scattered bush ensure no bush is more than 100m away from a Chew Card Local Chew Cards close to rural houses and other buildings

4. Timing

Leave Chew Cards in place for 7 days (1 week) Choose a time of the year when feed levels are usually quite low. eg. July/August Record locations on Google Maps (see below) As well as the excellent Landcare Research link, refer www.patumahoe.org.nz. Go to Whakaupoko Landcare Group Monitoring pages for more information and access to
Google Maps.

5. Interpreting, confirming and recording results

-5-

Mauku Primary School

The transformation of Mauku School combines sustainability and fun in one design. The design and delievery of schools new grounds has created space for rich sensory input and increased possibilities to be expolored by the schools 70 pupils. The new landscape reflects the passion and enthusiasm of our staff and students, sayas principal Angela Smith. Mauku Primary School is a country school within a few minutes of Pukekohe. With five acres of open space the connection to its rural environment is strong and integral to the school community. Last year, a school project for community gardens has resulted in planter boxes full of summer produce. The new landscape design has created colourful curves and a new courtyard, while accommodating established and well-loved trees. Contractors Natural Habitats put together the design, overseen by Greenstone Group. :The old grounds didnt function cohesively. There was no link between the schools entrance and the outdoor space around its four classrooms. Plus the cesspits were blocked, and drainage was an issue, says Natural Habitats designer Mike Jack. By analysing the way the kids used their space we were able to design a landscape using spatial hierarchies and transitional connections between area, to create a cohesive space with a range of functions, says Mike. The result is a design that integrates the entrance and classroom frontyards with the rest of the school grounds and its surrounding area. We chose Natural Habitats because we were confident with their initial plan, manner and their grasp of our requirements and deadlines, says Angela. As the school has no maintenance staff, low maintenance was a priority. Sustainability was also a major design consideration. We rely on our students, teachers and the wider community to care for the school says Angela. The landscape was installed over the Christmas break at the end of the school year, and students returned to their new environment the new terms has seen kids jumpin over the corokia hedges with renewed vigour; there are fascincated by the little rock rivers (swales) and leaf shapes of the Pseudopanax ferox, Angela has said. If you havent yet visited.... go along to the school and have a look... but watch out for those jumping students near the corokia hedges! Information provided for this article was published in the NZ Education Gazette

-6-

Patumahoe Primary School

Parenting Inc seminar - Thursday 11th August 2011
Searching for effective strategies to manage your family? Need new ideas for encouraging your kids to cooperate? A new parenting seminar promises to equip Franklin families with the right tools to help build a great family. The Hot Tips Family is Everything seminar is packed with practical ideas to encourage, inspire and motivate parents to make changes that build stronger and more confident families. parents of children from toddlers to Ron Gordon, Patumahoe School 18. Principal and member of the Patumahoe Positive Parenting Group, You build a family the way you build says the seminar will appeal to those a house, says Bruce, with good foun- with thriving families as well as dations of love and values, strong those struggling to cope with particwalls of boundaries and discipline to ular parenting challenges. keep good things in and bad things out. And, most importantly, you put Hot Tips seminars are fun, feel on a roof of parental 'mana' to keep good events and Id encourage parthe whole thing together. My aim is ents from all walks of life to attend, for parents to go home from this Hot says Ron. Tips event with new skills and strategies they can use in their family im- Notes: Parents Inc. is a nationwide organisation mediately.
of more than 60 staff and hundreds of volunteers who are dedicated to strengthening and equipping parents with practical parenting tools. The Patumahoe Positive Parenting Group was formed by Patumahoe Community Church and Patumahoe and Mauku Schools, to bring positive parenting education to the community.

Hosted by the Patumahoe Positive Parenting Group, the one-off event is open to the wider community, and Bruce will inspire parents with downtakes place at Patumahoe School Hall to-earth ideas on how to manage and on Thursday 11 August. grow their family. He says that a big part of good parenting is tailoring Presented by Parents Inc CEO, Bruce your parenting to fit each child. Pilbrow, the event will cover a range of parenting areas, including hot tips It's important that you understand for managing families and building your child's personality to build up relationships, building your childs their confidence so you can bring out confidence, raising a happy and re- the best in them, says Bruce. We all silient child, understanding your want our kids to be successful. This childs personality and top tips for en- presentation will help to set your kids gaging cooperation. The seminar is up to succeed in all sorts of ways; not designed to provide heaps of fun and just academically or in a career, but humour and will be suitable for all emotionally and relationally as well.

For further information contact: Donna Davies, M: 021 804487

Ron Gordon, Principal Patumahoe Primary School

Village Signs
During recent meetings for PVI (Patumahoe Village Inc), the discussion on the necessity for a well considered village sign has been raised more than once. Many of you will recognise the changing design of the Paeroa L&P bottle shown at left - big, brown and imposing - but memorable! Not suggesting a local version - a oversized potato or spring onion might be a wonderful bounty when real, but can be an eyesore when made out of fibreglass and concrete. But a welcome to Patumahoe Sign that matches our environment would be ideal. There are two functions for any kind of welcome signs, which could be placed on the entrance roads to Patumahoe: 1. Creating a noticeable entrance on the roads into the village is an established and proven method of slowing down 100km traffic before it enters a residential area. Traffic concerns are one of the main issues that have been raised during the last few months by residents. 2. It creates a senses of place for those who live here, that can be designed to reflect the community and its values. If you have any suggestions or designs about signs for both Patumahoe and Mauku communities, please send them through to the design-challenged committee of Patumahoe Village Inc, or better still, come along to the next meeting and present your design yourself! Email: patumahoevillage2050@gmail.com

-7-

Patumahoe Tennis Club

July 2011 Update
The tennis season is starting again and the key dates are: Night Tennis for social tennis players starts in early October - we run night tennis on Monday and on Tuesday so take your pick. The teams are 2 men and 2 ladies, if you do not have a team, we can make up a composite teams. It is great night with 2 doubles games of 30 minutes each game, starting 7 pm and finishing 9 pm. It runs for 10 weeks before Christmas. Approximately 70 people play, so it is a good way to meet new people in the area. Please feel free to contact Marion Hunter at 2363225 for more information and she will put you on to the right person. Interclub Tennis starts early October for seniors and juniors usually runs for 10 weeks and we start our club night each Wednesday at the beginning of October. All junior interclub tennis is on Saturday morning. Ages range from 10 years upwards depending on the skill level. The premier grade play Friday night from 6.30 to 9.30 pm. Counties Tennis has club teams in the Auckland competition so if anyone is interested in playing doubles and combines in the Auckland competition, please contact Glenn 2363225 Junior coaching will start in late October, early November for those junior keen to learn the game and progress their skills. If you want to buy a key to use the courts, please contact us. We insist on the right footwear, no bikes or skate boards and that you treat the facilities with care. Our 2 couches and 3 arm chairs are past their use by date in the club, so if you have a reasonable couch or arm chairs that you cannot sell, please contact us.

Patumahoe Tennis Club

Business sponsorship wanted

As time progresses - more authors and contributors to the website and newsletter are being found and our websites reflect our diverse community more accurately. If you have a local business please consider supporting us by advertising on our websites..
Cost is $100/yr and will provide you with an online page and/or a link to your own website Your ad can include photos and logos..Contact Sandra Utatao 09 236-3042 for details or visit our site to submit your own listnig. Your business details will also be printed on our quarterly newsletter. In order to increase traffic, we offer free classified ads to residents. We will be promoting this feature over the next few months. Take the time to post some of your own. . Please contact: patumahoevillage2050@gmail.com if you have any questions.

www.patumahoe.org.nz www.mauku.org.nz
-8-

Scout Hall relocation project

Many of you will be aware of the old church on Mareretu Ave- the only public historic building left in Patumahoe. It has a rich local history, doubled as the first school (on a different site) and was built of swamp kauri milled from a local farm. Since the Scout Movement (present owners/administrators) has lapsed in Patumahoe, there have been some efforts made by the Patumahoe Emergency Support Charitable Trust (largely because the trust has a protective infrastructure already set up) to negotiate moving the church to a new site so the scouts can deal with the sale of their section. On 18 December 2006 the scouting Assoc. agreed to gift the church to the above trust .We understand the scouts intend to use the majority of the proceeds to upgrade the camp at Schlaepher Park , thus keeping the money in the local area and using it for community purposes, which continues the spirit of the original congregation/scout negotiation. They have also agreed in principle to contribute some funds towards the removal and re-establishment of the building on Clive Howe Reserve. In the last few years the school has made use of the church as an extra teaching space, there has been the happy occasion of a wedding, and the school has indicated it would like to continue using the church keeping in mind this may fit in with some other community activities (such as further weddings!) It is intended that it be registered with the Historic Places Trust. The use by the school breathes life and value into this old building, and it is great to think children in the 21st century will grow up and say I was taught in that old church. We have a copy of a letter from Greg Lowe, Parks officer dated 25th October 2006 , Ref R600/P03 that the council agreed in principle to the relocation of the building onto the passive area of the reserve ,and have had discussions up until very recently with Mark Balle (ex mayor) on the subject. Whatever the outcome of the present discussions about the proposed school carpark, the placement of the church in this area adjacent to the school needs to be factored in to the satisfaction of interested parties. We feel this is a community project with considerable legitimacy. However there are planning, safety and technical issues, discussions and negotiations with council and interested parties still to be made in order to take this project forward. It is time for more of the community to be involved. For further information, and to register your interest, with a view to an initial meeting in the new year, you are welcome to contact Kay or Bruce Carter 2363809 0274 366331 carter@ps.gen.nz Article originally published online in Nov 2010, www.patumahoe.org.nz
Other suggestions received since this time have been for relocation to include a planted area possibly a remembrance garden with connecting walkways and seated areas. Funding has been applied for to cover the relocation, connection and renovation costs. The existing Patumahoe Village Community Trust is being used as the organisation for planning this project.

-9-

Auckland Council - Planning

Ten months into an amalgamated Auckland Council and there is still a lot going on. Patumahoe Village Patumahoe village is mentioned in the current discussion documents - Auckland Unleashed - and the Local Board Draft Annual Plan. Both entries refer to Patumahoe as a growth node. PVI is attempting to have more added to this reference: if Patumahoe is to be a growth node, then we ask that council ensure that extra growth is accommodated with considered planning and retention of current community values. AUCKLAND UNLEASHED This is the 30 year big picture plan for the Auckland region. Once finalised, this plan will be used as a guideline for all the other plans produced by council. Submissions closed for the discussion document on 31 May 2011. Formal consultation will take place until Oct 2011. Final plan to be in place by early Decembers 2011. Funding trends In terms of funding allocations and facilities, the current strategies for community facility spending seems to be heading towards multi-use facilities. Also, long-term more funding will follow transport corridors. In Franklin we need to ensure that all our district is served in this capacity. Rural villages There is some indication that Auckland Council recognises the need for each community to define its own values. Our project aims to fit in with this strategy. UNITARY PLAN Amalgamation of all the previous District councils has created anomalies in legislation and District Plans. The Unitary Plan endeavours to integrate all of these plans into a cohesive whole while still identifying and protecing regional values. This plan is due to be finalised within eighteen months.

HAVE YOUR SAY All these changes have meant that there are some areas that need to be defined and that is where submissions help the council determine priorities. If you do not want to be involved with PVI, and want to have your voice heard, make sure that you get involved by making submissions to council.

LOCAL BOARD DRAFT ANNUAL PLAN This is the plan designed by our own Lo. . this ten year plan cal Board after enaligns the Auckland gagment and consulVisit the councils website and join the Plan, key strategies tation with the comPeoples Panel. and other consideramunity. It is guided by tions into one action the Auckland Plan, plan defining priorities and budgets. and LTP and defines local priorities, projects and budget allocations for the next A community submission to this plan is the three years. This plan undergoes a yearly aim of PVIs planning project. Next year is review. the last time the LTP will be the LTCCP (Long Submission deadline for this plan is 4pm, 8 Term Community Council Plan). August 2011. Hearings will take place from Sept and the plan will be adopted Submissions start in Sept 2011 and will iat the end of October 2011. be adopted at the end of June 2012. LTP (LONG TERM PLAN)

join our discussion forum - Village Voices

www.patumahoe.org.nz www.mauku.org.nz
- 10 -

TCCP 2012 submission project L

VILLAGE GREEN RESOURCES Many submissions and comments have Cost estimates for the creation of Aucksuggested the inclusion of a village green land Council range from 120 - 240 million on council/recreational land. dollars. Also with Auckland estimated to Although all agree that this should be lohave 50% of leaky homes totalling over cated somewhere central, the idea of a vil$20 billion in housing stock, the recent govlage green ranges ernment proposal exfrom a grassed area poses Auckland CONSIDERATIONS with vegetation, to a Council to $2.5 billion Although it is easy to produce wish lists paved courtyard simiin repair costs. of what we want, the time has come lar to an Italian piazza. for the community to define its priorities and values. PLACEMAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORT Any LTCCP submission has to relate to Auckland planners The Transport Strategy the final planning documents proand designs are fohas changed with the duced - and take into account a varicusing on a design as- ety of other factors. National government, pect called who have given priorplacemaking which ity to more road buildaims to provide communities with shared ing projects. This has meant that they are spaces that promote engagement and soreluctant to support the public transport cial activities along with the usual sports initiatives proposed by the Auckland and community services. mayor - Len Brown. Funding will be conAs you are no doubt aware, the changes in local governance has created an environment which is still in a state of flux. Due to the amalgamation of all the District Councils - all the planning documents used by ARC and those amalgamated councils are undergoing a review process. These different plans have been summarised on Page 10. This has meant that many different planning documents have been, or are being released for community consultation. This different documents relate to different levels of planning - and to different timespans of application. Currently under review are the Draft Local Board plans. Submissions from the community will be accepted until 4pm on August 8th. These Local Board Plans are the planning documents that will define the way the previous Franklin District will allocate priorities and funds for the next few years. This is an opportunity for all who were concerned about the amalgamation to have a look at what the Local Board has proposed - and suggest additions or other priorities. Our Local Board have produced a 31 page document that can be downloaded, viewed at our local library or picked up from the council service centre. A copy of the submission made by Patumahoe Village Inc will be posted online. The success of a community design will rely solely on the amount of input we have from the community. We welcome any comments - and consider invaluable the input of those who have already done so much for our community. Along with community consultation we have had to ensure that we make submissions to lay the groundwork for any positive responses from local government. Resources Cost estimates for the creation of Auckland Council range from 120 - 240 million. Also with Auckland estimated to have 50% of leaky homes totalling over 20 billion in houseing stock, the recent government proposal exposes Auckland Council to 2.5 billion in repair costs.

- 11 -

Electricity Line Thefts Putting Families at Risk

Thieves are continuing to target the electricity network in our area by stealing copper. They are mainly cutting and stealing Earthing conductors. Earthing conductors are there to ensure that in the event of a fault electricity goes harmlessly to earth. If they are missing there is a possibility that parts of a house, such as the plumbing, could be livened with potentially fatal consequences. It is costing Counties Power, which owns the power lines in our area, up to $50,000 a month to replace the stolen conductors. The thieves however can only expect to receive about $1,500. Lines have to be regularly patrolled so that gaps are quickly identified, and Counties Power are replacing stolen conductors with ones made of material with no scrap value. However, the main concern for the company is public safety. In certain circumstances people could receive a serious shock when they turn on a tap or use an appliance in their house. In other circumstances, there is a risk of electrical fires that could damage farm buildings and houses or a risk that stock could be electrocuted. The Police are working hard to catch the culprits but that is made more difficult because it is usually quiet rural roads that are targeted. In the end we all pay for the thefts as a result of increased electricity charges, and it is our families the thieves are putting at risk, so keep an eye out for suspicious activity and record vehicle registration numbers. If you see anything suspicious ring the police or Counties Power (0800) 100202 who can check if people working on the power network should be there or not. And remember treat all lines, conductors and power equipment as live.

Thanks to our sponsors!

The publication of this newsletter and website is supported by the following businesses:

Dannys Kiwi Bakery, Patumahoe Village Shops, Patumahoe ............................................................236-3290 Patumahoe Preschool, 71 Mauku Road, RD3, Patumahoe ..............................................................236-3003 Tania Loveridge Hair Design, Patumahoe Village Shops, Patumahoe ...........................................236-3735 Counties Power.......................................................................................................................................0800-100-202 CONTACT US: email: patumahoevillage2050@gmail.com mail: P O Box 172, Patumahoe PUKEKOHE 2344
Attend PVI AGM on 23 August 2010, 7.30pm, dates can be found online under the whats on tab

Visit our website: www.patumahoe.org.nz www.mauku.org.nz