MINUTES OF THE PUHOI FORUM COMMUNITY MEETING
HELD AT PUHOI SPORTS CLUB ON 30 MAY 2017 commencing at 7.30pm
PRESENT: Dustyn O’Leary (Chair), Paul Manton (Co-Chair), Jenny Schollum (Treasurer), Judith Williams, Sheryll Titford, Sorrel O’Leary, Gillian Seymour, Terri Ryder, Johan Rijnbende, Sandra Beagley, Wendy Hayton (Secretary, Minutes) Sandra
APOLOGIES: Russell Green, Heston Prosper-Smith, Mike Swain, Jenny Neel, Val Smith, Marg Nelson, Pat and Graham Backley, Brian Titford, Beth Houlbrooke (Rodney Local Board), Tessa Berger (Rodney Local Board), Christine Mundell,. Kristin Gillies
1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 18 APRIL 2017
The minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2017 had been previously circulated. The minutes were accepted as being a true and accurate record.
Motion 1
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 18 April 2017 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.
Moved: Dustyn O’Leary
Seconded: Paul Manton
Carried
2. TREASURER’S REPORT for APRIL/MAY 2017– previously circulated
Subscriptions will be due prior to the AGM in June.
Motion 2
THAT the secretarial payment for $30 be approved, and THAT the Treasurer’s report for April 2017 was accepted.
Moved: Jenny Schollum
Seconded: Dustyn O’Leary
Carried
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SCHOOL BUS
Terri Ryder reported that the School Bus has been granted an extension through the Ministry. It has been confirmed that when the Orewa bus comes into Puhoi in the morning it will wait for children coming off the Warkworth bus. In the afternoon the bus is taking children further on into the area, past the centre of Puhoi. Many thanks to Terri Ryder her for her hard work.
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PIONIEER RIVER PARK UPDATE
Paul updated the meeting. The posts had not yet been put in for the fencing as no post rammer machine has been available to put them in. Once the machine comes available, there are plenty of materials available to complete the work. At present there is no date for its availability.
Planting. Sorrel reported that planting can’t begin until the fencing is complete. Plants are being held for this purpose. Sorrel is to liaise with Paul to ascertain when the fence is complete.
Community Planting Day. The end of July is a likely time for the Community Planting Day. A trailer load of plants will be donated by the Wenderholm Nursery. This donation could mean that there is money in the budget for a few additional specimen trees. Many thanks to Gavin Donaldson for his contribution to the work with the trees.
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GENERAL BUSINESS
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Motorway Liaison Consortium Group NX2
An invitation only meeting was held last week by NX2 with representatives from the Puhoi local area, to discuss matters that affect this area. Paul and Dustyn were invited, Judith was also there.
Summary. Dustyn reported a very positive meeting. NX2 were completely open and honest regarding what they could do for the community, what the plans and timing are and what the community can do for them. The overpass height was mentioned – 10 metres above the existing road level. There is no opportunity for input regarding the design of overpass, but there could be a 50 car carpark under it which could be used as a Park and Ride for Puhoi village.
Current timing. Access ramps will go in this summer. There will be minimal trucks around Puhoi as they are starting at the other end. Work is starting on the overpass in March 2018, but it will be ground up work, so there won’t be much to see.
Traffic Plan/Speed Limit. NX2 is keen to get the speed limit dropped to 80kmph. Once they have a plan they will come back to us. They haven’t got their final traffic plan worked through as yet. The main site office will be at the northern end of the new motorway, with a small office at the Puhoi end.
Benefits for the community. NX2 can’t give any money or land. There are a couple of opportunities – mitigation planting (off the actual site) – the village might get riparian planting done. Also pest management could possibly be extended to Puhoi. They are also interested in sponsoring local events such as football games.
3 Monthly meetings. These meetings will be held every 3 months, unless other things come up. They want information disseminated as widely as possible (Judith, Mike, Dustyn etc). Dustyn will send out her notes and NX2 will also be sending out notes. Dustyn will be the Forum’s contact/liaison person.
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Working Groups
Dustyn reported that a meeting of interested parties is planned to discuss the possibility of using the rotunda area as a bus turnaround. However, it is important that AT attend, which, at present, appears unlikely.
Nothing to report at present. Heston is currently unwell. The Community Hall has been confirmed as an official gathering area in case of emergency.
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Village Market
Positive feedback was received from those stall holders who used the upstairs in the Sports Hall for the first time.
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Tree removal and reserve concern
Judith reported the removal of the tree from the Puhoi River has been successful.
Judith voiced her concern about a neighbor who said they would be looking to buy the reserve between their property and hers. Judith has written to Beth and Tessa who have responded and will look into the legality of any such claims. There are plenty of regulations to prevent this. The Forum are the landlords of the park.
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Puhoi Historical Society – Community Dance on 24 June and get together on 25 June – 154th Anniversary (soup, bring a plate in the Community Hall)
Jenny presented a brief report on the PHS. The Society’s AGM is on 7th June at 7pm. There will be supper afterwards and all are welcome.
Jenny reported that the Museum would like to get a collection of ANZAC stories from anyone who is living in the area – not necessarily those who have a link to Bohemian descendants.
The meeting closed at 8.35pm.
NEXT MEETING and AGM
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 27 June at 7.30pm. This will be the AGM. Membership is open to all with subscriptions needing to be paid prior to the AGM (or at the door, prior to the meeting).
