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Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Thorndon Fair



Thorndon Fair is coming up on Sunday 7th December. 20,000+ Wellingtonians will attend Wellington’s iconic street fair along Tinakori Rd and Hill St in Thorndon.

Opening hours for the 250+ stalls are 10am-3pm.

It is run by Thorndon School as their main fundraiser.

www.thorndonfair.nz


Monday, September 8, 2014

Thorndon / Pipitea Community-driven Response Planning


Community-driven planning, using the world cafe meeting style, held on Tuesday 9th September 2014, at the Pipitea Marae and Function Centre.

Another engaging Thorndon community meeting coordinated by the Thorndon Residents' Association.

Notes harvested from the table discussions are here.

A list of matters arising for immediate attention are listed here.

Community-driven response planning  (click here to view more photos)

Link to the draft community response plan.


Sunday, August 10, 2014

Special Community Meeting - resilience against natural events & community development


A community-led emergency response plan in Thorndon/Pipitea is this year’s major project for the Thorndon Residents’ Association. As residents we need an approach that works for our community, driven by our community, in partnership with the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), WCC, local businesses and other stakeholders.

Many Thorndon/Pipitea residents attended a community briefing in September 2012. Scientists and Council officials cautioned against complacency. The message was clear: to get through a major natural event such as a major earthquake, our community needs to not only be adequately familiar with our surroundings but especially about one another, so that we can better look after ourselves. In a major event we could need to do this for many days, in trying conditions, before any official emergency response could fold into action to assist us. The 2012 meeting made it clear that we needed to step up to the challenge. 

As an inner city suburb Thorndon has some interesting characteristics, which make our scenarios unique –  astride the major fault line, an inner-city gateway suburb, through which all the region’s lifeline services pass –  water, sewerage, electricity,  road, rail and sea transport. Thorndon is also uniquely fortunate in hosting many especially valuable organisations within our community. All our special neighbours have their insights to share too, and strengths and skills to help in developing an approach to growing community resilience.

It is time for the community to meet and talk about how we'll grow our resilience against natural events. It's really about the community coming together, getting to know more about ourselves, and knowing how to act, before anything happens.

Please spread the word as we not only need to meet you and hear your views also views but from as many others as we can from across Thorndon / Pipitea. Your contributions on how to enhance our community's vibrancy and preparedness are a necessary and valued part of growing community resilience.

This specially facilitated meeting has been designed to be both informative and enjoyable.
You are invited to the

Pipitea Marae and Function Centre 
on Tuesday 9 September 2014, 
arrive from 6:30pm for a 7 - 9pm meeting. 
Eventbrite - Thorndon/Pipitea Community Meeting RSVP

Please RSVP for this public meeting to assist catering (entry is free). Just click on the button above to RSVP online.

Share this information with family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and invite them to also consider participating in this special meeting.
If you know someone unable to RSVP online please advise them to call 934 6888.

Acknowledgements
The TRA is collaborating with the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) on this project. The community meeting and related initiatives are actively supported by WCC, Thorndon New World, Pipitea Marae and Conference Centre, and numerous other local entities and stakeholders.


Sunday, July 6, 2014

Mary Potter Hospice Shop

Donation of goods
Here's a great idea to consider as part of a cleanup or clear out. The Hospice relies on the generosity of
people like you to donate goods. They're very appreciative of donations of good quality items, from clothing to household items, to furniture, nick-nacks and treasures. The are also grateful to receive large household lots, including furniture and whiteware in good working order.

The shop is an important part of fundraising activities for the Hospice. It carries a wonderful variety of second-hand and new stock. The shops have regular customers spotting items just in!

Thorndon Shop
95 Thorndon Quay
Ph (04) 472 5819
Co-ordinator: Bernie Munn
10am - 4pm Monday - Friday
10am - 2pm Saturday

FREE PICKUP
If you are unable to drop them off, arrangements can be made to pick-up larger items, or house lots, free of charge.


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Thorndon Residents' Association AGM 2014

Tuesday 13 May, 7-9PM (refreshments from 6.30PM)
Kingsgate Hotel
Hawkestone St

Notice of motions that the Thorndon Residents' Association modify the constitution by special resolution of the members as follows:

To amend Clause 5.7 to Read.

5.7  Quorum: The quorum for a Committee meeting is to be at least half of the elected or co-opted committee members

To amend Clause 7.4 to read.

7.4 Audit: The Association shall not be required to be audited. The committee shall be required to appoint a non-executive member, or failing that a non-member, to perform a review if requested in writing by any member. The Committee may require an audit if they vote to do so by ordinary resolution.


Explanations of the proposed changes

Clause 5.7 currently requires six members for a quorum. The new rule will allow a majority of the committee if present to act.  So for a committee of seven it would require four to be present.

Clause 7.4 currently requires a full audit. This amendment removes that requirement. There is an ability to request a review if a member asks to do so. Any such review will be by a non-committee member. This review is not a full audit.
The Committee can resolve to have a full audit if this makes sense to them. A possible reason for this is a requirement by a donor. 


Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Report: TRA Annual General Meeting

This evening the Annual General Meeting of the TRA was hosted by the  Kingsgate Hotel. Members, neighbours, friends and Councillors (City and Regional) enjoyed the opportunity to mix and mingle during a networking hour prior to the AGM. Everyone appreciated both the hospitality of the Kingsgate team and their support of the Association. The meeting venue was perfect and this considerably assisted a smooth navigation through the agenda prepared by Sadie Laurenson (Secretary), and led by William Neal (Chair). The meeting relaxed into productive discussion, focused on reports from Committee Portfolio leads. Matters arising were considered and helped identify priority issues for the Association to focus on during  2013-14.

Here are some of the resources from this evenings' meeting:


Monday, February 4, 2013

Free online access to property valuation records


Here's an online resource that may interest Thorndon residents 
http://www.watchmystreet.co.nz/

An excerpt from the site ...

The vast majority of council rating valuation data in New Zealand is controlled by Quotable Value Limited (QV) - a New Zealand State owned enterprise who does most the the valuation work for councils in NZ and charges for that service.

Essentially they have the monopoly on council valuation work in NZ. QV and their Australian joint venture company PropertyIQ Limited (a company owned by QV and RP Data), obviously want to maximise profits and so they also license the use of council data and resell it to banks, real estate agents and the like - if you go to their website, they'll even resell your rating data back to you! (Remember you paid rates so that your council could pay for these valuations).

It does seem a bit bizarre that an Australian company to some degree controls access to New Zealand property data, but there you go.

The NZ Government has been promoting open access to government data, making it more available, allowing companies and individuals to add value and reinterpret the data - this is known as “Open Data”. Unfortunately to date it looks like the area of property data is outside this arrangement.

Some councils understand the value of providing their data in order to allow people like us to innovate, build cool tools, and provide useful or interesting information to ratepayers - including the Wellington City Council, who provided us with their District Valuation Record (all we had to do was pay for their time in extracting it). Big thumbs up to WCC!


Friday, September 28, 2012

What do we want?



The Rotary Club of Wellington is hosting this one day forum. A chance to hear a top line up of speakers and to make your own point. 

25 October 2012 at the VUW Pipitea Campus
The registration of $55 includes teas and lunch.

All details here:   rotaryforum.org.nz  
Wellington is what we make it and you can be part of shaping it. Now in its second successful year, this highly topical community forum asks; what kind of city and region do we want? How should community views be expressed in local government? What are the initiatives by business and communities that will help Wellington become the place we want to live and work in? What can you do to influence it? 

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Earthquake Resilience Briefing for Thorndon Residents - 5 September


The Thorndon Residents' Association has been collaborating with the Wellington City Council (WCC).
You are invited to register for the Thorndon earthquake briefing, 7PM, Wednesday 5th September at the Kingsgate Hotel (24 Hawkstone Street).

The briefing is for residents living in Thorndon / Pipitea and surrounding areas. The details of the meeting are now on WCC's website where you can register. 
Click here for free registration.

WCC has coordinated with GNS Science to provide this community briefing about earthquakes.  The briefing is designed to give you a better understanding of the earthquake risk.

Wellington has already experienced four significant earthquakes since 1840. Our city survived those quakes with minimal casualties. The presenters will talk about what has been learned from these events, what the learnings are from the Canterbury earthquake sequence and what has been revealed by recent research by GNS Science.

The briefings will give you an overview of what has already been achieved to make our city safer and the work that is planned to improve infrastructure resilience. 

You will also find out more about what you can do to make sure you and your family are ready for an earthquake and you will have the opportunity to talk to experts about earthquake issues over a cup of tea afterwards. 

Actions 


1.  Decide
This is your invitation to the Thorndon Earthquake Briefing, hosted by the Kingsgate Hotel, 24 Hawkestone Street, at 7.00pm on Wednesday 5 September 2012. 

2.  Register
Please Register for the briefing session. Entry is free. Open the form.
If you are unable to register online you can also phone (04) 801 4219 to register.  

3.  Share
Please share this information with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and invite them to either register for the Thorndon meeting, or another across the city (see below).

WCC and the Thorndon Residents' Association wish to encourage all Thorndon residents to get a better understanding of the earthquake risk to our community. TRA Members are aware of some of the seismic issues revealed over recent years. Here is an aggregation of related posts on the Association's blog: http://thorndon-residents.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/earthquake 
Perhaps these may help frame-up further questions and exploration of the issues that are particularly pertinent to Thorndon residents. What are the questions you would like answered? Post them in the comment box for this blog. These will help the presenters prepare. 


There are also other opportunities across the city. Other earthquake briefings will be held on these dates and locations:

·        Newtown – 7.30pm, Thursday 30 August (St Anne’s Parish Hall, 22 Emmett Street)

·        Thorndon - 7.00pm, Wednesday 5 September (General Public) Kingsgate Hotel, 24 Hawkestone Street

·        City –  7.00pm, Tuesday 11 September for Body Corporate members (Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall, Wakefield Street)

·        Vogeltown – 7.45pm, Wednesday 12 September (Vogelmorn Hall, 11 Vennell Street)

·        Island Bay – 7.30pm, Tuesday 18 September (Island Bay School, Clyde Street)

·        Kelburn - 7.30pm, Wednesday 19 September (General Public) Kelburn Normal School Hall, 16 Kowhai Road

·        Mount Victoria – 7.30pm, Thursday 27th September (The New Crossways Community Centre, 6 Roxburgh St)

·        Karori - 3.00pm, Sunday 30 September (General Public) Victoria University of Wellington Campus, Donald Street

·        Tawa - 7.30pm, Wednesday 3 October (General Public) Tawa Community Centre, 5 Cambridge Street

·        Kilbirnie -  3.00pm, Sunday 14 October (General Public) Matairangi Room, ASB Sports Centre, 72 Kemp Street

·        City - 7.30pm, Thursday 18 October (General Public) Ilott Theatre, Wellington Town Hall, 109 Wakefield Street

·        Oriental Bay - 7.30pm, Thursday 25 October (General Public) Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, 103 Oriental Parade

·        Miramar -  7.30pm, Tuesday 30 October (General Public) Miramar Community Centre, 27 Chelsea Street

·        Seatoun - 7.30pm, Wednesday 31 October (General Public) Seatoun School, 59 Burnham Street

·        Aro Valley - 7.30pm, Thursday 1 November (General Public) Aro Valley Community Centre, 48 Aro Street


Issues for Residents raised at TRA 2012 AGM


A range of important issues for residents emerged at the Thorndon Residents' Association Annual General Meeting. If you have an interest in:
- earthquake prone buildings
- traffic and parking 
- when someone (or something) damages your connecting sewer pipe (lateral) beyond your boundary, buried under the street, who is responsible?
- regional governance

then, take a moment to read the draft minutes from the TRA AGM

Friday, October 28, 2011

Ideas on local government reform in Wellington

A paper has been brought to our attention by the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents Associations. It proposes ideas on local government reform in Wellington.

The paper is an initiative by a group of Wellington regional councillors to start a conversation in the Wellington region about our local government effectiveness and any potential changes that could be made to improve it.

click here ...

Sunday, May 29, 2011

AGM - Tuesday 14th June, 2011

All welcome.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early (from 6:30PM), network with refreshments from the bar. Venue is the Thorndon Club, 4 Katherine Ave.
Click here to link to the draft agenda or financial statement.
Minutes of the 2010 AGM are here.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Who binned our wheelie bins!

As avid recyclers my household has been anticipating the convenience of new suburban recycling scheme. It commences tomorrow, Monday 16 May 2011.

Anticipating the convenience of wheelie bins captured our attention last year. Been keeping an eye on progress of this project all that time. Noted the rollout delays, and kept-up with Council's extended 'warm-up' campaign.

But we didn't anticpate this ...

We were bemused to have plastic bags delivered to our address last week. Then annoyed to learn that, for some reason, which cannot yet be explained (Helpline has told us to wait a month for a response!) many residential addresses on the Thorndon flat have been deemed as unsuitable for wheelie bins. Yet most (all?) of these residential properties have readily accessible curbsides and ample space for bins. In fact private bin collecting has been going on in these streets for years.

Apparently some kind of WCC 'visual assessment' took account of all manner of things, like flights of steps, steep streets, etc. None of which apply to many of the residential properties on the Thorndon flat, within residential Thorndon (note: Thorndon CBD properties are excluded from scheme).

Is this another example of the City's inability to effectively connect with it's residents? Not only on operational initiatives like this project. Thorndon has been under scrutiny of the urban planners for three or more years now. We're underwhelmed by progress toward improved 'public engagement'. The TRA's blog is littered with contributions which illustrate some of the Council's communication short-comings. Particularly with respect to our territorial authority's apparent inability to more openly engage with residents adequately; well illustrated by the underwhelming approach to the prolonged heritage conversation.

Here we go again!
Now, who has binned our bins !



Saturday, April 16, 2011

Keeping the rates increase to a reasonable level?

Given the tight fiscal realities, the Council has been scrutinising it's front-line and back office functions. "Keeping the rates increase to a reasonable level" is the title of the invitation to submit on the Annual Plan.

Have your say; tell the Council what you want ... WCC's online questionnaire is convenient.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

TRA and WCC at the Farmers Market

The Thorndon Residents' Association (TRA) and Wellington City Council were at the Hill Street Farmers' Market this morning.

The stall was a suggestion of the TRA to help citizens become aware of the Place-based Study of Thorndon and to be able to speak to knowledgeable WCC officers and collect more information about the project.

The stall was well patronised and many handouts were taken away. Fifty copies of the popular draft planning map had all been snapped-up by late morning.

This was the first of two opportunities to chat at the Market. The team will be back next Saturday 16th April.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

TXT 3400 for Council fix-ups

You've just noticed something WCC needs to fix?
Then why not TXT them on 3400. It's free.

A blocked drain, graffiti, street light, etc. Send the details through with the exact location details.

The service is free - you won't be charged for caring for our community.

[ You can't send photos or other media just yet - WCC is working on adding these features in the future.]

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Federation's deputation on WCC transparency

The Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents’ Association has real concerns regarding WCC's commitment to community engagement.

The deputation's submission is here.
Also reported in Wellington.Scoop

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Place-based planning - WCC Gears-up for Community Walks

WCC is proceeding with a proposal to hold two organised walks around Thorndon that will be especially designed to better engage residents in the place-based study which is currently underway.

It is also planned to book a stall at the Hill Street Farmers Market to help advertise what is going on.

The objective of both the stall and walks is to publicise background information which has been gathered (including through past community consultation) and which is now being used in a place-based study. Both officers and TRA sub-commmittee members intend to be available to answer questions and/or provide information about the processes to date. There will be opportunities for anyone to provide feedback.
WCC's urban planners are keen to move on this consultation proposal. They would also like to know who might be available to help prepare for (and guide) the walks and to provide local background information (in particular streets) and commentary. If you would like to participate in this way please let us know.
The timing so far would suggest that the stall would be set up on one or two Saturday mornings in April (not Easter); and the walks could then take place on the same weekends on either or both the Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning or afternoon.
The suggested dates for these events are 9 and 16 April 2011. TRA members - please let the committee know whether you would like to help on either or both of these two weekends.

Email: thorndonresidents@gmail.com or contact a committee member
Once the dates are confirmed the two opportunities for the community to engage, will be notified by way of a letter sent to all residents and ratepayers in Thorndon and also through the 'Our Wellington Page' in the Dominion-Post.


Saturday, October 30, 2010

More Halloween fun in Thorndon ...

For those of you who didn't make it to Hill St Farmers Market today for the Halloween festivities (or even if you did!), we're throwing an impromptu Halloween Party in Katherine Mansfield Park in Thorndon at 3pm tomorrow (Sunday). This is a scaled down version of the Thorndon Halloween Party we've had in years past (e.g. Kelly Falconer and I only decided at 4pm this afternoon that we should have it!) and its open to everyone. We'd love to see you all there.

So bring your kids (dressed up if they feel like it), a picnic blanket and a bottle of vino and join us for lolly scramble (yes, this time it will happen!), treasure hunt and sausage sizzle (gold coin donation appreciated). We'll only drag up the bbq if is sufficient demand, so would be great if you could let us know if you're planning to come by email by midday Sunday.

Look forward to seeing you there. And feel free to bring a friend or two and to spread the word!

Jo