Our last newsletter of 2023 is a mix of news and reflections. 
We wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and New Year with your families
from the Milford Residents team
Norma, Debbie, Peter, Heather, Helen, Alistair and Michael


Rest in Peace, Frank Blennerhasset
Everyone has been shocked to hear of the unexpected death of Frank Blennerhasset. For decades, Frank has been a constant presence on North Shore streets and especially in Milford. It's been heart warming to hear the response to this news from so many people and see the spontaneous tributes from locals on 'Frank's Seat' in the square. Easily recognisable, with his heavy sacks on his back, he was always busy and purposeful, returning shopping trolleys or peeling the plastic from endless metres of wiring to sell the copper for recycling. He was also known for his shellwork, covering bottles for lamp vases and selling his cute trios of shell mice. The Rangitoto Observer will publish a tribute to Frank in their first edition of 2024 (early February). This will include information about the informal memorial being planned probably on Takapuna Beach. We will advise members as soon as we know the time and place. Frank has been one of Milford's true identities. Most people knew his name and said hello when their paths crossed. He will be missed.
 
A couple of brief updates
  • Sewage overflow on Milford Beach 13 Dec 2023 - Watercare has advised that 'rags' caused the sewer blockage which resulted in this week's sewage overflow. These were located and removed by the Watercare crew on Thursday. A common cause of blockages is fatbergs. These are masses of fats, oils and grease mixed with things like wipes and rags that end up blocking flows. A small number of blockages are also caused by tree roots, which collect debris, obstructing the flow and eventually causing a blockage or break in the pipe. In this instance, the overflows went to an engineered overflow point, into stormwater network and then to the beach. This is an unpleasant reminder that what we as residents put into the drains can easily end up polluting our beach and water for everyone. Please remember not to pour fats and oils down the sink fats and oils or flush wipes and non-toilet tissue.
  • Milford Baptist Church Carol singing in the Milford Square. Tuesday, 19 December, 3-5pm.
  • Takapuna Sunday Market will not operate on 31 December and 7 January.
Milford to Takapuna Coastal Route - access update

Milford Residents Association and Takapuna Residents Association were among the groups who addressed Council's Planning, Environment and Parks Committee meeting on 30 November. We were speaking in support of Council obtaining permanent public access across the now closed off property at 9 Kitchener Road. Our full presentation is here: Milford Residents Assn submission to Planning Cttee 30 Nov 2023.pdf.  We are grateful to Milford residents Christine Handford and Richard Burton who presented their submission alongside us. Many present did not identify a lot of sympathy for our position around the Council table. Nevertheless, the attendance of the entire Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and strong advocacy by Chair Toni van Tonder not to keep kicking the can down the road but to find a solution gave us (the community) another chance to achieve permanent access. The Local Board has been given the role of meeting the property owners to find a way forward and we all hope they are able to do this. There's only one acceptable outcome in our view (permanent access) and we support their efforts to achieve this. We will keep you posted. 

27 January 2023 Floods - Reflections and Making Space for Water strategy update  

Milford Residents Assn responded positively to the January flood and our community's needs by opening the pop-up community centre in the MSCC hall. We gathered the disparate pieces of information being put out by many, many sources in one place and delivered them by email to our members. We distributed household linens and clothing locally and to the Mangere Emergency Centre. Groceries and supermarket vouchers were given to people who were flooded in Milford and to the Sunnynook Community Centre. Thanks to all our wonderful Milford people for their overwhelming generosity.

We quickly recognised what a huge amount of rubbish had flowed down the Wairau and have since organised a series of cleanups (with Pupuke Birdsong Project) to remove wheelie bins, fridges, tables, couches and so much more from the creek. There's more to go and we'll tackle that next year. Thanks so much to everyone who has got hot and sweaty with us down in the mud and mangroves in 2023. 
 
Making Space for Water Blue-Green network

The Local Board were recently briefed by Healthy Waters on their proposed Making Space for Water Blue-Green network which has been prioritised in response to the extreme flooding and landslide events on 27 January and Cyclone Gabrielle (11-17 February). There will be more information disseminated over time but bullet points are:

  • 12 flooded areas across Auckland to be developed for blue-green networks
  • The Wairau Valley (Sunnynook, Wairau and Milford) is the only such area on the North Shore at this stage
  • Healthy Waters will focus on the areas hit hardest and where there are good opportunities to do physical work to resolve flood risk - the Wairau is seen as one of these priority areas.
  • The blue-green networks will involve purchase of some properties and their development into open, reserve land that would flood in heavy rain but be used for walking and recreation at other times.
  • Healthy Waters is dealing with the Wairau on a whole catchment basis, i.e. Kaipatiki and Devonport-Takapuna Local Boards will both be involved. 

If you want to find out more information about the ongoing process of the Blue-Green Networks, you can join a webinar hosted by the Auckland Recovery Office on Monday, 18 December, 6.30-7.45pm.

You will receive up-to-date information on:

  • Category 3 Voluntary Buy-out Support Scheme (funding available to buy homes)
  • Category 2P Property Risk Mitigation Scheme (funding available for work to reduce risk on properties)
  • Information about the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service and how they can help you find a solution to your storm-related insurance claim
  • Tips for working with insurance companies
  • Other support options available to you
Register here: https://aucklandcouncil.uq.co.nz/mail/view/z6qwdqx7tj0nrf0213f_rt07fj0f_t8_8rc37s26rq2jknh7555xv23fdt16sk6p8qfd626w_9p6wh1d_rrsq
 
 

Milford Residents email to members 26 August 2023

A fun event and opportunities to give feedback on Auckland Council's flood recovery and civil defence emergency plans in today's email. 

Fun stuff first. Pop Bang Boom!  Next Saturday, 2 September, 9.30/10.00am-3.00pm, Milford Residents Assn is holding a community pom pom making day to contribute to a new artwork installation for NZ Sculpture on the Shore in November. Artist Lang Ea, who created Beacon in the Milford Reserve, has been commissioned to swathe one of the historic Fort Takapuna gun emplacements with red wool pom poms. 10,000 pom poms are required to do this and Lang needs the Milford community's help. Call in for 10 minutes or an hour and make 3 pompoms or 30. All materials and instruction provided. Bring the children and enjoy participating in making this new artwork which will be called Pop Bang Boom!  Venue is the Lounge of the MSCC Community Hall. 141A Kitchener Road (behind New World facing the car park). Details of the project and event here: Pop-Bang-Boom.pdf

Auckland Council requests feedback:

Tamaki Makaurau Recovery Plan - feedback closes 31 August 2023

Council has responded to the catastrophic flooding and landslides experienced early in the year and requests your feedback on their proposals for Flood Mitigation and Storm Recovery plans. The proposal document has been prepared by Healthy Waters (the Council's stormwater division) and the Recovery Office. One of the central parts of their proposal is the concept of Making Space for Water through improved operations and maintenance, neighbourhood solutions and site-specific interventions. The very badly flooded Wairau Creek/Wairau Valley is highlighted as somewhere to be considered for a blue-green network. This would mean having areas of open space alongside the creek which would flood in heavy rain but be available as public park and open space most of the time. We encourage everyone to contribute to this important consultation. Go online to AucklandHaveYourSay and give your views on their plans. We hope you will support the proposed flood mitigation works along the whole Wairau Creek and Wairau Valley including the development of blue-green networks. The consultation document is easy to read, concise and available at the following link. Your feedback can be made online at the same link:  https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/storm-recovery

Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan - feedback closes 31 August 2023

The Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan outlines proposals to reorganise Council's civil defence group which was highly criticised after the Anniversary Weekend rain and flood event. As above, there is a consultation document and an online feedback survey, both available at: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cdem-group-plan   

Wairau Estuary Cleanup, Sunday, 13 August This was another successful event. Thanks so much to all the regular helpers who turned out yet again to chip away at the flood rubbish. We now have a very good idea of how much more wood and large items remain out in the middle section of the mangroves. They even include a large outdoor dining table. Thank you Vicki for allowing easy access to the lower part of the estuary. 

For Your Diaries - it's that time again!

Meet the General Election Candidates for North Shore, Tuesday, 26 September, 7pm at Milford Baptist Church

This meeting is a real community effort, jointly arranged by Milford Residents, Castor Bay Ratepayers & Residents and Takapuna Residents associations and Milford Baptist Church.  

 

Milford Residents AssociationMilford Residents Association Incorporated
141A Kitchener Road
Milford
Auckland 0620

info@milford.org.nz
chairs@milford.org.nz

 

Norma Bott

Co-chair

489 4119

 chairs@milford.org.nz

 

Debbie Dunsford

Co-chair

410 3696

 chairs@milford.org.nz

 

 


Treasurer

 

 

 

Heather Masefield
Secretary

 

 

Alistair Laurie
Membership Co-Ordinator

 

 

 

 

Helen Pilkington
Events Co-Ordinator

 


 

 

Peter Carter

 

 

 

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest News

Latest News

Unitary Plan Update

View All News Articles

Latest News

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events coming soon!


Latest News

Become a Member

Stay up to date with local issues and be represented as a member of the Milford Residents Association. Help make sure our community stays a great place to live.

Register Here