Residents champion land preservation: More than 70 Long Bay residents packed the public gallery at the council chamber this week seeking support from the Council toward the purchase of 4.7 ha of land to save it from housing development. The land adjoins the Awaruku headland heritage area and residents want it added to land already purchased for recreational use in the area. More information

Planning our future: North Shore City’s long term planning process is already under way – and the current world and local economic outlook is top of mind for city councillors and senior council staff. From this month and continuing through into the early part of next year, councillors will be holding a series of meetings to consider the work programme and expenditure for the next ten to fifteen financial years . More information

High cost of illegal building work: A North Shore man has been convicted and fined on three charges in relation to constructing an extra floor over his Browns Bay industrial units without obtaining a building consent. The building owner has been fined $29,000 plus costs of $4,746 in the North Shore District Court. More information

Birkenhead Library Consent: Building consent has been issued for the new Birkenhead Library to be built on the corner of Hinemoa Street and Rawene Road, Birkenhead. Tenders for the construction of the library closed on November 7 and Council is in a position to appoint the successful tenderer for the job before Christmas. More information

What's On in North Shore City

Motor cycle safety campaign launched: North Shore City Council has launched a new road safety campaign aimed at reducing the numbers of motorcyclists killed or injured in crashes. The number of motorcyclists injured in the city has more than doubled over the last five years, rising from 20 to 45 injuries during the past 12 month period. The majority of motorcycle crashes that involve another vehicle, happen because the other driver failed to see or give way to the motorcyclist. There are actions that both motorists and motorcyclists can take to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash and this campaign is a chance for readers to win a $250 MTA (Motor Trade Association) voucher. More information

Christmas cheers: The public is expected to be out in force over the next two weekends for the traditional Christmas parades on the North Shore. Festivities are under way in Browns Bay and Devonport this Saturday and Sunday and at Glenfield on Sunday December 14. More Information

Council services over the holidays: The City Council wishes all residents, ratepayers and visitors to North Shore City the very best for the festive season. Some Council services will be closed during Christmas and at the New Year but inquiries can be made to Actionline 24 hours a day seven days a week. More information

Your Neighbourhood

Environmental Bridge: A combined walkway and cycleway path linking Schopolo Place to Miromiro Street at Schnapper Rock near Albany has recently been completed. The 680m long walkway passes through native bush with views of both Te Wharau and Lucas Creeks. A bridge and boardwalk have been constructed as part of the project with artistic handrail features that symbolise native flax growing in the reserve. The walkway provides an important link to the Upper Harbour Primary School and is already popular with both school children and casual walkers.

Pak'n Save Wairau stalled again: The North Shore City Council is recognising the community frustration regarding more litigation over the proposed Pak ‘n Save supermarket in Wairau Road, according to Regulatory Committee Chair Callum Blair. One of the longest running legal battles in commercial retail history was extended recently when Progressive Enterprises appealed consent granted by the Environment Court. More information

Parks funding gets a boost: North Shore City Council has committed to its top 50 parks and all bush reserves being in an ecological enhancement programme by 2020. The Community Services & Parks Committee has agreed to up the annual $200,000 operating budget by another $50,000 in year eight of the programme in order to reach the target. More Information

Kauri trees threatened by disease: North Shore City is to meet with Auckland Regional Council (ARC), the Department of Conservation, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Biosecurity New Zealand regarding a disease threatening kauri trees in the region. Testing is being carried out by the ARC, with the disease known as Phytophthora taxon Agathis (PTA), suspected to be affecting kauri trees in Albany and Okura areas as well as the Waitakere ranges.
Visitors to parks are asked to stay on tracks, avoid going near kauri tree roots, and clean their footwear before and after visiting kauri forest areas to avoid spreading PTA. More information

Nominate a notable tree! Do you know of a particularly notable tree in your area? For example, is the tree from a rare species, or unusually large or old, or does it significantly enhance the landscape? Or was it planted for a special purpose, perhaps to commemorate a death or an event? If so, the North Shore City Council would like to hear from you. The council has begun reviewing the Notable Trees Schedule in its District Plan. During this process it will add some new trees to the schedule for protection. If you feel that a tree on your property or in your area should be considered for inclusion in the Notable Trees Schedule, the council on 09 486 8600. An online nomination form will be available from Saturday 6 December. Follow this link to access it.

Stream restoration projects have ripple effects! The Council is working in partnership with two communities in Birkenhead (Pine Ridge) and Browns Bay (Bayside) to restore sections of the Eskdale stream and the Taiaotea Creek. Those involved are finding that by working in partnership, the projects are growing fast – community involvement is magnifying efforts and involvement and is achieving even more benefits for all. More information

Drain paintings demonstrate kid’s care: Browns Bay Girl Guides have transformed the drains in a Browns Bay carpark – and at the same time sent a powerful environmental message to their local community.
In only two hours, 24 Guides recently painted their own designs around six stormwater drains in the carpark on Anzac Road. The colourful designs include messages such as ‘the ocean is our treasure’ and ‘save our sea friends’ as reminders that anything that goes down these drains ultimately ends up at the beach and flows into the sea. Guide leader Lucy Woods says that she involved the girls because she had seen an article in the local newspaper about drain painting and had also seen pollutants being allowed to wash into local stormwater drains. “Girl Guiding is part of the community, and I felt our Guides could help educate the community about what roadside drains are for, in their own creative way.”