Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, held at 7.30 pm on Monday 27^th June 2011, at the Tongan Methodist Hall, Stafford Road, Northcote Point.

The meeting was opened by Chair Brian Plimmer, who welcomed 46 members and special guests Hon. Jonathan Coleman, MP for Northcote, Grant Gillon (KLB) and Vivienne Keohane (also KLB).

Apologies: Tony and Dinah Holman, John Gillon, Rod Brown.

Minutes of 2010 AGM

The minutes had been circulated and on the website, and It was resolved

”THAT THE MINUTES OF THE 2010 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BE TAKEN AS READ AND SIGNED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD OF THAT MEETING”.

Reports

Chairman’s Annual Report

The Chairman’s annual report was presented (as per the attached copy).

It was resolved

“THAT THE CHAIRMANS 2010-2011 REPORT BE RECEIVED.”

NRA Website

David Innes explained that the re-development of the NRA website had been delayed because of the different  approaches proposed by potential suppliers. The Executive were considering a generous offer from a member to update the website free of charge, and it was scheduled for completion within the next two months.

New Harbour Crossing

Brian Plimmer briefed the meeting on various developments that had taken place since public meetings in February and May. Much of this had taken place in collaboration with the St Mary’s Bay Residents’ Association. Key points were as follows:

• General agreement that a bridge would cause major disruption and have negative impact on the environment, hence overwhelming preference for a tunnel (98% of survey respondents in favour of a tunnel)
• North Shore exit to be at Esmonde Road, not Onewa Road
• Opposition to tolling – the new crossing would be part of State Highway One, and thus should be paid for by Government
• 20 year time span seen as too long – driven by the engineering life of the bridge, rather than traffic conditions, even at present
• A meeting would be held with North Shore MPs, July 15^th, coordinated by Hon. Jonathan Coleman
• The first draft of the Auckland Council Plan, including its position on a new harbour crossing is due in August, with public submissions to follow.

Change to NRA Rules

Changes to the rules as proposed by the Executive and circulated by email and posted on the NRA website were challenged by Ian Millar and Anne Du Temple as being unconstitutional on the grounds of failure to meet the 21 day notice requirement. Further, circulation to some members was less than two days before the meeting.

The Chairman stated that the notice required by the existing rules had been complied with.  However, it was conceded that some members may not have received the letterbox notice or that the email notice may have missed the two day notice of meeting requirement.

Ian Millar also took exception to the fact that rule changes proposed by him had not been received by the Secretary. The Chairman confirmed that they had not been received by the Secretary, let alone with 21 days, but reminded Mr Millar that the amended rules contained changes which were designed to meet his concerns about membership eligibility, and that he had been advised that his proposal regarding open meetings would be voted on at the meeting.

In the circumstances, the meeting agreed that all rule changes be deferred and re-presented to members at a later date.

Election of Executive Members.

The Chairman called for nominations for the Executive for the 2011/12 year.

Nominations were received for Carol Brown, Kevin Clark, David Innes, Ian Millar, Brian Plimmer, Merlene Plimmer, Werner Schmidt and Lucy Whineray.

Since nominations were within the maximum number allowed by the rules, the Chairman declared the above members elected to the Executive, subject to Mr Clark being a financial member.

Financial Statement

This was presented by Merlene Plimmer (copy attached).

It was resolved”

“THAT THE UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31^ST MARCH 2011 BE ADOPTED”

ANZAC Bridge presentation

Kevin Clark, part of the ANZAC Bridge group, presented the background to this option to the meeting.

Chairman Brian Plimmer explained that after two public meetings held in Northcote on the matter, there was near-unanimous support for a tunnel from Esmonde Road to Britomart. This position was reached in collaboration with St Mary’s Bay Residents’ Association, and it proposed that the first stage of the tunnel be for commercial traffic only. Further, he considered it unlikely that this preference, which was different from any NZTA options, was likely to change.

Subscriptions

The Chairman explained that the Association needed to be on a sounder financial footing, given the issues ahead, such as the new harbour crossing, and the website upgrade

It was resolved

“THAT THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31^ST MARCH 2012 BE SET AT $20.”

Harbour Crossing Tolls

Vivienne Keohane raised the issue of publicity given to the possibility of the imposition of tolls, including on the existing bridge, to fund the new harbour crossing, possibly as high as $8.              Hon. Jonathan Coleman advised that there had been no such discussion at Government level.

It was noted that this would be discussed at the meeting of MPs on July 15^th.

War Memorial Hall

Dissatisfaction was expressed yet again at non-accessibility for the local community because of the presence of the Community Trust. The meeting was advised by Lucy Whineray that KLB and the Trust were making every effort to relocate the Community Trust as soon as possible.

Te Onewa Pa Site

Ian Millar advised that representations made to NZTA  had resulted in public access on weekends.

Regarding re-development, Carol Brown advised that the NRA had been seeking to progress action on the implementation of the Stokes Point / Te Onewa Reserve Management Plan (completed in 2005) which identified much needed improvements to this heritage and recreational area at the southern end of Princes St and Queen St. In the NRA submission to the Kaipatiki Local Board draft Annual Plan, the Association’s concern that the reserve and park not only continued to be neglected but was deteriorating, with further slips, unsafe paths and restricted public access, was highlighted.

There was a pressing need for the improvements provided for in the plan, including safe, permanent and consistent fencing (there has been temporary fencing for a number of years); remedial works and restoration of access on the east side; improved pathways on the west; general enhancement of the reserve; and interpretive signage recognising the heritage significance of the area.

The Auckland Council had informed the NRA that the Conservation Plan was still in draft format and under review by Iwi. Once this was resolved the draft plan would go to KLB for adoption (likely to be in September/ October)

General Business (for consideration by new Executive)

Use of Little Shoal Bay by Ferry Buses

When Northcote Point Wharf was closed, would it be reasonable/possible for mini buses to use Little Shoal Bay to get to Birkenhead Wharf rather than the much longer trip via Onewa Road.

Concern was expressed that Fullers were making access to the Northcote ferry wharf as difficult as possible in the hopes it could be closed.

Northcote Shopping Centre

Kevin Fox tabled photographs and information about the unsatisfactory garbage situation at the Northcote Shopping Centre. Unfortunately, very little constructive response had been received from various elected representatives. This matter would be followed up with KLB.

Noise Abatement Barriers on Bridge Boundaries

The extensive noise abatement project in St Mary’s Bay was noted. NZTA apparently had funding only for new developments. However, it was understood that there were some surplus panels, which could logically and reasonably be installed on the Northern side of the Bridge. This possibility was being followed up by the Executive.

Road Painting Queen St

This had been apparently undertaken, somewhat noisily, in the early hours of the morning. Was it a one-off or on-going problem?  Was there a better alternative?

Associate Membership

Grant Gillon raised the possibility of establishing a category of ‘associate membership’ for persons interested in the activities of the NRA, but who were resident outside the area. To be considered as part of the rule changes.

The AGM concluded at 9.10.

Signed as a correct record _______________________________   Date ___________________

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTHCOTE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION (INC)      

KEEPING YOU IN TOUCH!                                                                   November 2011

 In this issue –

1. Very Important Residents Meeting – 6^th December 2011
2. Little Shoal Bay and Halls Beach Cleanup – CANCELLED!
3. Kaipatiki Local Board Funding
4. Northcote War memorial Hall
5. Highbury Development
6. Northcote Community Centre Renewal Project
7. Onewa Road/ Queen Street Access
8. Stokes Point/ Te Onewa Pa Site Development
9. Website Page update
10. Membership and Subscriptions

Since the July newsletter, the NRA Executive have been active on a number of important issues, and the Executive have arranged a SPECIAL MEETING ON 6^TH DECEMBER 2011 with important speakers to bring residents up to date with recent developments.

SPECIAL MEETING OF NORTHCOTE RESIDENTS – 7.30 pm, TUESDAY 6^TH DECEMBER 2011, THE WHARF, QUEEN STREET, NORTHCOTE POINT.

The Association has arranged the following speakers -  

New Zealand Transport Agency-

Stephen Town, Regional Director

Patrick Kelly, Senior Transport Planner, who will be speaking about -

Harbour Tunnel Crossing – Update following Mayor Len Brown’s recent visit to China.

Bridge Noise Reduction.

Reinstatement of Stokes Point, and Landscaping under the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

T3 Lane on Onewa Road.

Transpower-

Paul Duffy, Project Director

Ian McBurney, Cables Project Manager

Philippa White, Stakeholder Communisations, who will be speaking about –

North Auckland and Northland Grid Upgrade Project, which involves “pulling” three cables, each 1.4 km long, under the Harbour Bridge, and laying a further three cables 8.4kms alongside the Northern Busway.

Victoria Park Alliance-

Kirsten Stevenson, Environmental Manager, who will be speaking about -

Replacement of motorway gantries north of the harbour Bridge to clearly identify traffic routes once the Victoria Park Flyover is fully opened for southbound traffic in the new year. This project will involve working at night to avoid traffic delays.

Other Topics-

These will include the Pathway Project for cycles and walkers over the bridge and their impact on the northern side of the bridge, and harbour crossing options.

LITTLE SHOAL BAY AND HALLS BEACH CLEANUP.  CANCELLED!

A member of the Executive has inspected the Beaches where a beach cleanup was scheduled for SUNDAY 27^TH NOVEMBER 2011 AT 3PM., and as a result it has been decided that the condition of the beaches is such that a cleanup is unnecessary, and the project has been cancelled for this year.

On 10^th November 2011, the Executive wrote to the Chair of the Kaipatiki Local Board seeking answers on the following issues –

KAIPATIKI LOCAL BOARD FUNDING.

Because of on-going concerns, the letter asked for a public explanation of the amount and source of the funding necessary to operate the Board and allow it to improve facilities and services in the Board’s area.

NORTHCOTE WAR MEMORIAL HALL.

A progress report on the relocation of the Trust to long-promised permanent premises has been requested.

HIGHBURY DEVELOPMENT.

An update on the current situation with development plans has been sought because, while the Centre is outside our residential boundary, most Northcote residents use it. There are also concerns about possible highrise development in the Centre.

NORTHCOTE COMMUNITY CENTRE RENEWAL PROJECT.

A report on the current state of developments has been requested.

ONEWA ROAD/ QUEEN STREET ACCESS.

The existence and need for a T3 lane in Onewa Road has been questioned, again. The cancellation of the T3 lane for a trial period has been requested, as has a review of the phasing of the traffic lights on Onewa Road.

Replies to these questions are still awaited.

Other matters of interest are-

STOKES POINT/ TE ONEWA PA SITE.

After some considerable effort from the NRA over a number of years, there has recently been some progress on the Te Onewa Pa/ Stokes Point Conservation Plan. A copy of the plan will be put on the NRA website, and we are now trying to get the timeframes for implementation, recognising that further NZTA and Transpower work on the Bridge could limit the progress in the near future.

WEBSITE UPDATE.

The new website– http://www.nra.org.nz/ is in the final stages of being commissioned, and we will be using it for communicating with residents about issues as they arise.  So watch this space.

We will also be looking for local advertisers to sponsor the ongoing costs of the site. Let us know if you would like your name/product displayed.

MEMBERSHIP AND SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Membership stands at 100. However some have not paid their 2011-12 subscriptions, and they are being sent a reminder. The recent AGM approved the subscription of $20.00 per member/family, and we are looking for new members. Accounts are being sent out where this subscription is due.  It will be appreciated if these accounts can be paid as soon as possible to ensure that the Executive can keep up the momentum on the many issues on its agenda.

THE YEAR AHEAD. The Association has to reflect and act on the wishes of Northcote residents, and the Executive will be keeping members informed of developments. Your opinions, concerns and suggestions are invited, and we look forward to hearing from, and seeing you all on 6^th December

We look forward to your on-going support.

On behalf of the Executive

Brian Plimmer

Chairman

Ph 4199429