Greetings from LOCA and as we come to the year end we can reflect on a busy and interesting year at Okareka.
The Reticulated Sewerage has now been operative for over a year and the Council engineers report few teething problems and these have now been rectified. Mention was made in our last newsletter of community interest in painting a mural on the Pump Station fencing and we hope to have suggestions from RDC for the residents to consider at our AGM on Jan 25th.
In case you were not aware we owe a very big thank you to the Landcare Okareka volunteers and Guy Gaddum & his staff for the clearing and planting of the area around and behind the Pump Station and the track beside the road from Ridge Road down to the school bus shelter.
The Lake Weed Cordon is now in place which we all hope will ensure we are now protected from the invasive noxious weeds that are affecting most of the Rotorua lakes. Unfortunately it is an eyesore & there are additional buoys in place to mark the restricted speed area and these will be monitored by the Harbourmaster over the coming summer.
Again mention was made in the last newsletter of the need to tidy up the picnic/swimming area around the jetty and ensure the safety of everyone swimming and fishing. We have discussed this situation with Council and as with the “mural” suggestions we will have a plan for resident’s consideration at the AGM. The proposal is to have a similar layout to that at the picnic area/beach front at the Steep Street reserve.
The DOC Millar Road Reserve continues to be well patronised by the campervans and now with summer upon us the day picnickers and also unfortunately there have been problems caused by an undesirable element however LOCA volunteers are working with DOC to best “manage” the area over the summer holiday period.
DOC has not yet been able to progress the proposed lease of their 5 campgrounds in Rotorua so our involvement will be reviewed in the New Year. We need to be aware it will be an integral part of the around the lake walkway and we have also shown the Mayor & Councillors how scruffy both the lakefront/jetty area and Boyes Beach are in comparison to this beach !!With the help & cooperation of the Landcare volunteers there is now new picnic furniture at Silva beach, Boyes Beach, lake front and the start of the walkway on Acacia Road. Also there are 3 large piles of gravel around the walkway that will be used to build up and maintain the walkway. All credit to Sandra & Mike Goodwin for their submissions/cajoling etc finally starting to pay off.
We can report progress (at long last) with the proposed Walkway around the Lake with Tuhourangi finally giving us written approval of the Boyes Beach to the DOC campground part of the walkway and we have advised RDC accordingly.
We are planning to have the plans and details available at the January AGM.
We have been working with both RDC and the Regional Council to minimise the inconvenience to residents of Lake and Road Closures over the summer holiday period and to this end there will be a large sign at the bottom of Tarawera Road advising of Lake and Road closures during the week preceding the 10 lake closure events at the Blue Lake in the next few months.
There will also be details in the Newsletter and hopefully better communication with the residents than in past years.
Dab Chicks. The map on page 24 has been produced from 3 “on the water” surveys held over a short period by about 10 volunteers to count Okareka’s population. Department of Conservation has asked that these counts be repeated again in summer.
Social Activities:
Firstly congratulations to the Pre-school organisers for the very successful “Flying Trout” fun day held at Playnes farm in November. You guys sure know how to attract the sponsors !!
The “Party in Paradise Dance” was obviously a fun night judging by the photos and again highlights how important Playnes Farm is to the community. Many many thanks to Fenella & Lucy.
Unfortunately the weather was unkind for our annual Carols and Father Christmas function on Dec 2nd but judging by the number of enthusiastic supporters of Father Christmas who got soaking wet & the fact we ran out of buns for the ham it was an enjoyable get together.
Once again we were very grateful to have the Salvation Army band join us &we promise to better organise the catering next year !!Dennis Falconer will be “Lighting Up” our New Years Eve with his Fireworks display.
This has the support of a number of residents and LOCA and will be a good way to farewell 2011 and welcome 2012.
You will note the LOCA AGM is scheduled for Wednesday Jan 25 at the hall & we look forward to input from property owners and residents on any issues you would like to discuss.
There will be Councillors and Community Board representatives present and we are hoping to have information from RDC on the impact of the new valuations on next years rating structure
THANK YOU.
A very big thank you to all the volunteers we are very lucky to have in the community who make a major contribution to maintaining and enhancing Okareka as a great place to live and play.
Also of course the LOCA committee who have had to put up with me. Thanks team
And in particular I must acknowledge the work and support from Sandra who is a great worker and organiser that LOCA and Landcare Okareka are very very lucky to have.
Have a great Christmas and New Year
Geoff Palmer
Chairman
LOCA
The Reticulated Sewerage has now been operative for over a year and the Council engineers report few teething problems and these have now been rectified. Mention was made in our last newsletter of community interest in painting a mural on the Pump Station fencing and we hope to have suggestions from RDC for the residents to consider at our AGM on Jan 25th.
In case you were not aware we owe a very big thank you to the Landcare Okareka volunteers and Guy Gaddum & his staff for the clearing and planting of the area around and behind the Pump Station and the track beside the road from Ridge Road down to the school bus shelter.
The Lake Weed Cordon is now in place which we all hope will ensure we are now protected from the invasive noxious weeds that are affecting most of the Rotorua lakes. Unfortunately it is an eyesore & there are additional buoys in place to mark the restricted speed area and these will be monitored by the Harbourmaster over the coming summer.
Again mention was made in the last newsletter of the need to tidy up the picnic/swimming area around the jetty and ensure the safety of everyone swimming and fishing. We have discussed this situation with Council and as with the “mural” suggestions we will have a plan for resident’s consideration at the AGM. The proposal is to have a similar layout to that at the picnic area/beach front at the Steep Street reserve.
The DOC Millar Road Reserve continues to be well patronised by the campervans and now with summer upon us the day picnickers and also unfortunately there have been problems caused by an undesirable element however LOCA volunteers are working with DOC to best “manage” the area over the summer holiday period.
DOC has not yet been able to progress the proposed lease of their 5 campgrounds in Rotorua so our involvement will be reviewed in the New Year. We need to be aware it will be an integral part of the around the lake walkway and we have also shown the Mayor & Councillors how scruffy both the lakefront/jetty area and Boyes Beach are in comparison to this beach !!With the help & cooperation of the Landcare volunteers there is now new picnic furniture at Silva beach, Boyes Beach, lake front and the start of the walkway on Acacia Road. Also there are 3 large piles of gravel around the walkway that will be used to build up and maintain the walkway. All credit to Sandra & Mike Goodwin for their submissions/cajoling etc finally starting to pay off.
We can report progress (at long last) with the proposed Walkway around the Lake with Tuhourangi finally giving us written approval of the Boyes Beach to the DOC campground part of the walkway and we have advised RDC accordingly.
We are planning to have the plans and details available at the January AGM.
We have been working with both RDC and the Regional Council to minimise the inconvenience to residents of Lake and Road Closures over the summer holiday period and to this end there will be a large sign at the bottom of Tarawera Road advising of Lake and Road closures during the week preceding the 10 lake closure events at the Blue Lake in the next few months.
There will also be details in the Newsletter and hopefully better communication with the residents than in past years.
Dab Chicks. The map on page 24 has been produced from 3 “on the water” surveys held over a short period by about 10 volunteers to count Okareka’s population. Department of Conservation has asked that these counts be repeated again in summer.
Social Activities:
Firstly congratulations to the Pre-school organisers for the very successful “Flying Trout” fun day held at Playnes farm in November. You guys sure know how to attract the sponsors !!
The “Party in Paradise Dance” was obviously a fun night judging by the photos and again highlights how important Playnes Farm is to the community. Many many thanks to Fenella & Lucy.
Unfortunately the weather was unkind for our annual Carols and Father Christmas function on Dec 2nd but judging by the number of enthusiastic supporters of Father Christmas who got soaking wet & the fact we ran out of buns for the ham it was an enjoyable get together.
Once again we were very grateful to have the Salvation Army band join us &we promise to better organise the catering next year !!Dennis Falconer will be “Lighting Up” our New Years Eve with his Fireworks display.
This has the support of a number of residents and LOCA and will be a good way to farewell 2011 and welcome 2012.
You will note the LOCA AGM is scheduled for Wednesday Jan 25 at the hall & we look forward to input from property owners and residents on any issues you would like to discuss.
There will be Councillors and Community Board representatives present and we are hoping to have information from RDC on the impact of the new valuations on next years rating structure
THANK YOU.
A very big thank you to all the volunteers we are very lucky to have in the community who make a major contribution to maintaining and enhancing Okareka as a great place to live and play.
Also of course the LOCA committee who have had to put up with me. Thanks team
And in particular I must acknowledge the work and support from Sandra who is a great worker and organiser that LOCA and Landcare Okareka are very very lucky to have.
Have a great Christmas and New Year
Geoff Palmer
Chairman
LOCA
RSS Feed
