www.gopi.wellington.net.nz
PO Box 57034
Mana
Porirua 5247

Secretary: Ken Rae 233 9614

FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

There is so much news below that I devote my space in this Newsletter to a blatant call for help. It is urgent that we find a new Treasurer and an approach from members with skills to ensure ongoing efficient management of the society's funds will be welcomed. The scope and content of the duties are open for discussion. At the moment the Treasurer looks after membership enrolments and renewals as well as the accounts and it is quite possible to split these activities. Members with an interest in either area please ring John Wells at 234-1788.

LIVELY AGM

Forty members and friends, and distinguished guests Mayor Jenny Brash, local MP Hon Winnie Laban, Deputy Mayor Euon Morrell, Councillor Maureen Gillon and the newly-appointed General Manager Asset Management and Operations at PCC, Peter Bailey, attended this year's AGM.

Mayor Brash thanked the Guardians for their work in improving the quality of life of citizens across the city and specifically praised the Photo Competition, which had allowed young and old to reflect on and take pride in a special environment. Peter Bailey recalled his first encounter with the Guardians, participation in a Cockle Count, and said he looked forward to increased opportunities for operational staff to get into community partnerships.

Local identities, Spencer and Jenny Harris, brought alive for us 'Old Pauatahanui - Through the Eyes of One Family.' We could study documents and maps of the Inlet going back to 1839. Our speakers could trace family links back to the first woman migrant to step ashore on Petone Beach in 1841. We gained a whole new dimension on the significance of the Inlet to succeeding generations down through the years, and the responsibility we now have for its care.

Miles Deck resigned from the Committee after two years and Barry Turfrey from the Treasurer's position after serving for five years. Camborne residents Ian Thompson and Julian Powell were elected in their place.

MEMBERS' ALERT - INLET CLEAN UP - SUNDAY OCTOBER 7

Arrangements are in hand with Keep Porirua Beautiful for the annual Inlet Clean Up, to take place on Sunday October 7 commencing at 10 am. Rendezvous at Brown's Bay car park, where volunteers will be assigned their patch of foreshore. On completion of the task, volunteers will return to the park for a barbecue, courtesy of KPB. Please put this date in your diary now. We'll see what we can do about arranging better weather than last year.

MEMBERS' ALERT - TRIENNIAL COCKLE COUNT

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11

The 6 th Cockle Count – a vital measure of the state of health of the Inlet – is scheduled for November 11. Funding by Greater Wellington and NIWA is already in place to support this major effort and to process the results. A letter box drop is planned to ensure maximum participation by residents, building on our experience at the Camborne Walkway planting when we were overwhelmed at the public's response – and one planting day became two. Watch our website and your letterbox for details. Another date for your diary – remember that no experience is necessary and we welcome families.

PUKETIRO WINDFARM

Members with email were alerted to the invitation from RES NZ Ltd to attend an open day on July 28 to learn about the plan to develop a windfarm along the ridges east of the Paekakariki Hill Road. RES wish to meet with the Guardians committee, and members are urged to contact us with their views on the pros and cons of this proposal. Further open days are planned. We will keep members fully informed.

RECENT COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

Your committee is increasingly involved in resource consent proceedings and received at its July meeting reports on consultations involving protection works planned in front of the Paremata Kindergarten, a landfill beyond Judgeford Golf Course, a septic tank renewal in Pauatahanui Village, and a major rural life-style subdivision beyond Bradeys Road. It is pleasing that we are consulted as a matter of course by both councils, GW and PCC, and also by the initiators of these projects. We are concerned to ensure strong protection is put in place, and policed, concerning potential run-off and sedimentation of the Inlet.

STREAM MONITORING

We continue to maintain a four-seasons cycle with small dedicated teams on our four monitored streams. This work is ongoing and provides vital information on the health of the Inlet. Further volunteers would be welcomed by the co-ordinators Alastair and Mary Harray who can be contacted on 233-6648.

WEBSITE

Do you check our website regularly? We keep it up to date, so you will always know what's happening. We've started putting notes from each committee meeting on to the website too. These notes describe the major discussions that have taken place at the most recent committee meeting. Do get into the habit of checking the website: www.gopi.wellington.net.nz.

HOT NUMBERS FOR THE PAUATAHANUI INLET

Pollution: Discharges of contaminants to air, land, stormwater drains, rivers or sea and for after hours consent enquiries - ring Greater Wellington 0800 496 734 (24 hours)

Boating infringements: Greater Wellington 384 5708 (24 hours)

Fisheries issues: Ministry of Fisheries 576 8040 (day) 460 4702 (after hours)

Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve: Department of Conservation 0800 362 468

Let us know what you have reported so we can keep an accurate record and follow up if necessary - Ken Rae (Secretary, GOPI) 233 9614