July 20

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER |JULY 2020 | No.217

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE Email coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com | ph 021 724 001 | online coatesvillechronicle.com the coverage area shown on the map, the CRRA gave householders until Friday 24 July to confirm their commitment to support the offer and agree to pay $750 further down the track. If, after 24 July there is insufficient support to fund the shortfall, Chris says the offer will be retracted because of huge demand for funding from other areas of New Zealand. "Frankly, this opportunity is better than I’d expected from Government," says Chris. "I would urge serious consideration by everyone affected. Apart from anything else, property values will surely rise by a much greater amount than the per-household contribution amount." For more information about the offer, see the CRRA's update on page 8. ∞ Coatesville addresses (indicative only) where Chorus is proposing to install fibre

Our chance for fibre A fter years of bandwidth poverty, Coatesville has the chance to hardwire its future with ultra fast broadband (UFB) in 12 to 18 months time if enough residents agree to contribute. The offer from Crown Infrastructure Partners and Chorus is that they will pay 90% of the cost of installing UFB fibre cabling in the most densely populated part of Coatesville, if the shortfall of $300,000 is funded by the local community. The opportunity is the result of collaboration between the Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers Association, Crown Infrastructure Partners and

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Chorus, initiated by MP Chris Penk. Chris says he took up Coatesville's cause after receiving ongoing complaints from his constituents over the past three years about poor to non-existent internet coverage. "With so many people working from home, studying and generally living life online, it’s a no-brainer that reliable internet coverage is needed in 2020," says the Helensville MP. However, the window of opportunity is closing fast. In the mailer that last week went to roughly 640 households within

JULY CONTENTS July news Good bakers spread the love Clothes Swap time! Candidate bios for Whangaparaoa CRRA explains the Broadband offer Get on top of gorse Local Board and electorate updates Classifieds Absolutely busy!

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Editorial

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t's exciting to think that an end might be in sight for Coatesville's woeful internet issues. However, the success or failure of the offer from Crown Infrastructure Partners and Chorus is dependent on whether or not those living within the blue area of the map confirm their agreement to the offer conditions in time. Although the map doesn't include every home in Coatesville, it shows the majority are within the blue zone. (I apologise for the quality of the map image but a high-resolution image wasn't available.) And, once UFB is installed in that hub, surely the coverage area will expand in the future. Basically, it's time to put your money where your mouth is or else accept what's currently available. The best perk of my job recently has been sitting down to chat with Chrissie Dunn and Lianne Jamieson, two locals who are part of the Good Bitches Baking group. Don't be put off by the group's name. It's a registered, award-winning charity that's spreading kindness around the country. Given the contents of the cake stand shown on page 4, you'll understand why the conversation took a while. Chrissie's morning tea certainly took my breath away. I could have stayed all day. Chrissie has kindly given me some of her recipes to share, so keep an eye out for them in the August issue. Other good sorts this month include Kate and Bex who run the Clothes Swap for charity. These fundraising

dynamos are at it again this year. Check out their story on page 5 and sign up for their email updates if you want to get involved. For voters in the half of Coatesville that becomes part of Whangaparaoa electorate on 19 September, the candidate bios on pages 6 and 7 will help you get to know who's standing. We'll look at who's on the ballot in Kaipara ki Mahurangi next month. The Pest Free Coatesville group under Gary Langridge's leadership are storming ahead. Their news is on page 10 together with expert information about how to get rid of gorse from plant guru Grant McKechnie. Finally, Louise Johnston and Chris Penk's updates will keep you in touch with what's going on in central and local government. Better get yourself a cuppa and maybe some baking!

Your editor,

Vanessa Johnson Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001 The Coatesville Chronicle is distributed free to homes in the RD3 postal area. Deadline for content is 20th of the month prior to publication. The opinions published herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, Cradle Publications Limited. © 2020 All rights reserved.

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Diary Dates ∞ 24 JULY, Friday, Deadline day! If you live in the area marked on the map on page 1, you need to confirm your commitment to support the plan for fibre installation. ∞ 26 JULY, Sunday, 4pm-6pm Coatesville Pony Club is holding its annual prize giving a the Coatesville Settlers Hall. See the Club's offical Facebook page for more information. ∞ 2 AUGUST, Sunday, 10am-2pm Coatesville Market. ∞ 7, 8 & 9 AUGUST, Friday, Saturday & Sunday Clothes Swap drop-off days. See page 5 for event details and how to join the email list for updates. ∞ 13 AUGUST, Thursday, 4pm Love local and get vocal by giving your feedback to the Rodney Local Board three-year plan at akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/rodneyplan. ∞ 21 August, Friday, Look out for The Coatesville Chronicle. ∞ 28 AUGUST, Friday, Daffodil Day. Make a donation in support of the Cancer Foundation. ∞ 28 AUGUST, Friday, The first Provisional Tax payment is due today for most businesses with a year end of 31 March. ∞ 29 AUGUST, Saturday, The Clothes Swap takes place today at the Settlers Hall.

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JULY NEWS

Congratulations Mary Dawkins

Happy Birthday CCGC

Birthday cake makes it official

Our winter Garden Club meetings, held in the local hall, have started with a bumper event. After a recess of three months, it was time for the annual Trade Table, voting on the Photographical Competition (entries were collected online), lunch of soup

and rolls and our birthday cake. What a catch up and convivial celebration to be had! Super shutterbugs included Wendy Whitfield, Angelica de Vere, Bev Burton, and Carole and Owen Aspden with the overall winner being Angelica who entered a study of doves resting in a cote in Marlborough from our tour in November 2019. Lunch was well received, finished with dessert of a super lime and fresh ginger cake made by Kathy Lambert. Twenty three years the club has been in existence and membership is still very strong. A successful event with the Trade Table realising good takings allowing the club to subsidise future events. Many thanks to all the helpers on the day. Jenny Hunter, CCGC

Matea Trust seeks new supporters

voluntary associates in our community Matea Trust on Dairy Flat Highway is Ever had mess to assist our guys in reaching their a registered charitable trust providing full potential in their art and/or music residential care and vocational life left activities. If you are experienced in skillsbehind? for guys from 18 and up. this area and have some spare time We provide a variety of work each week, we would love to hear experience: firewood splitting, stacking from you. Additionally, we require a and delivery, (for which we have a new member to help us govern the fantastic reputation), on and offsite Trust effectively by joining our Board lawn mowing and garden maintenance of Trustees. If you have an interest in and assisting with farm animals. These giving back to your community and all give a real sense of contribution to would the community where are gained, No mess, noskills dodgy products &enjoy a proactive governance role, please phone Fleur 09 415 1009 and life lessons learnt. run around. We guarantee it. matea.trust@xtra.co.nz. or email We no are currently looking for

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Coatesville Pony Club's head coach Mary Dawkins received the Coach of the Year award in the annual New Zealand Pony Clubs Association's awards earlier this year. Mary is well known to many families in Coatesville for her skills instructing Pony Club riders. Here's what they said when nominating Mary for the award: Mary has been a fundamental part of Coatesville Pony club (CVPC) for the past 20-plus years. As the head coach, Mary possesses all the characteristics that makes her a standout coach that NZPCA should be proud to celebrate. Mary always brings an abundance of enthusiasm, which can always be heard from afar, to rally nights, making even the basics fun! Mary has a very intuitive understanding of what makes each rider, horse and combination tick, and just what is required to bring out the best, building confidence, skills and understanding, while still extending those who need challenging at higher levels, and all in a mixed rally group. Mary is well known for having some crazy grid ideas and pushing horse and rider to achieve... Mary is our club’s national treasure, a genuinely fantastic person and deserves to be recognised for all she has done for our club, district and area over the years.

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Sweet gestures spread kindness Chrissie Dunn loves to bake and back in October when her Coatesville friend Bronwyn Hicks told her about the Good Bitches Baking group who bake for charities, Chrissie didn’t think twice before joining.

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ood Bitches Baking was started in Wellington in 2014 by Nicole Murray and Marie Fitzpatrick with the goal of making Aotearoa the kindest place on earth. Six years later, they're well on their way to achieving it. Today GBB is a registered charity and its founders were awarded the Order of Merit in the 2019 Queen's Honours List. Their network of GBB volunteers has grown to almost 2500 people who together support over 170 charities throughout New Zealand. Community awards have followed and the well-run organisation is spreading its caring message around the country, including in Coatesville where Chrissie is one of a team of bakers who regularly bake a batch of something yummy for those who could do with knowing people care. "Sometimes it’s for the Salvation Army or for SCBU, there’s a whole range of charities we deliver to,” explains Chrissie. “We never meet the people who receive the baking. We drop off to

the charities and they distribute it themselves. "Basically the idea is to give a moment of sweetness to a person who’s experiencing a tough time.” she says.

Above: Chrissie (left) with fellow Good Bitch baker Lianne Jamieson. Centre: Chrissie's morning tea cake stand. Below: A typical cake box with a note listing ingredients and describing what's inside.

The commitment isn’t onerous. “All we have to do is bake a slice, or a batch of biscuits or a cake once a month, place it in a cardboard cake box and someone will collect it and take the baking to the charity we’re supporting.” Co-ordination is key and a "bitch in charge" manages the roster of bakers and drivers who make the deliveries. Although they’re mostly women, men are welcome to join and volunteers can choose how

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often they want to bake. It’s not about flash patisserie-style baking either. Traditional Edmonds Cookbook type recipes are just fine. The special ingredient that’s in every recipe is the kindness each baker sends to the person who receives their baking. However, the actual ingredients used are listed on a card that goes to the recipient – just in case someone in the house has an allergy or food sensitivity. Bakers can also write a brief message and say hello and make serving suggestions.

The GBB network is nationwide and welcomes new volunteers. You can join as a baker or if cooking isn’t your strength, you can be a driver. If you’re interested, email akl-north@gbb.org. nz or visit the website www.gbb.org. nz. There are no meetings, just a weekly email and a visit from the driver to collect your cake box at the agreed time and day on the roster.∞

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SUBDIVIDING?

The team of volunteers at the 2019 Clothes Swap

Clothes Swap is Back in August!

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ate Hattaway and Bex Holland are the mother and daughter team behind the hugely successful Clothes Swap that last year raised $15,000 for the Mental Health Foundation. This year, the fundraising duo are bringing it back, raising funds for the team at Parent Aid North West. Parent Aid North West is a not for profit organisation that provides free practical home help to families with babies and children under 5 years old within the North West Rodney region. Their focus is supporting parents that are experiencing postnatal depression, anxiety, overwhelm and stress, rural isolation, sleep deprivation, general hardship, accident, illness, multiple birth, recovering from caesarean section or needing postnatal support following childbirth. “Put Saturday 29 August in your diaries, and shout it from the rooftops,” says Kate. The event will again be held at the Coatesville Settlers Hall, from 10am–4pm, and is going to be slightly simplified this year. Just swapping, shopping, coffee and crepes. This means, no Cinderella Corner, no $5 corner and more importantly, more room to move around. Everything donated will go into the swap. So how does the swap work? Bex explains: “It’s so easy! You sort out your wardrobe, drop off your clothes on 7, 8 or 9 August, pay your $20 donation, and receive your wristband. Then come along on the event day and you can take away with you the same amount of items which you donated. Any extra items you would like to take are just $5 each. “From 1pm onwards, we invite shoppers to the swap as well. You pay $20 on the door, and then each item is just $5 on top of that. An absolute bargain! The final hour will be an incredible sale – everything just $1 each." Bex says, "the famous Ultimate Raffle will be back again, with a prize so tantalising, you won’t want to miss it!" Now only six weeks away, Bex encourages everyone to start sorting those fabulous wardrobes, and get ready for the Shopping Event of the Year! If you want to join the Clothes Swap Mailing List, email Bex on bex.holland@outlook.com.

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Who's on the Whangaparaoa ballot? If you're still deciding who to vote for, check out the bios for the three candidates standing for election in Whangaparaoa. Around half of Coatesville voters will find they're in Whangaparaoa electorate on 19 September.

Mark Mitchell, National Party orn on the North Shore, Mark spent his early years living on Whenuapai Air Force Base where his father was a Flight Lieutenant. He later attended Rosmini College in Auckland and worked in the farming sector after leaving school. In 1989, Mark joined the New Zealand Police, and was a member of the Dog Section and Armed Offender’s Squad. During his time in the Dog Section, Mark and his dog Czar were stabbed during an armed encounter in Rotorua. Czar made a full recovery, but Mark never regained the full use of his right arm. After leaving the police, Mark relocated overseas and launched an international business career, including the start-up of his own company specialising in hostage rescue, supply chain security, and risk management. Working closely with the World Economic Forum, he helped establish logistic emergency response teams that provided humanitarian support in countries hit by natural disasters,

such as the Philippines, Pakistan, and Haiti. He was also a member of the executive management team of several global companies, including one of the biggest logistics companies in the world. Mark entered New Zealand’s Parliament in 2011 when he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Rodney electorate. In 2016, he was appointed as the Minister of Statistics, Minister for Land Information, and Associate Minister of Justice. In 2017, he was promoted to Cabinet and appointed as the Minister of Defence. Mark has previously served as the Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Law and Order Committee. Following the change in government in September 2017, he is now the National Party spokesperson for Defence & Disarmament and Sport & Recreation. Mark enjoys the Kiwi lifestyle and spending time with his family in their hometown of Orewa. For more information, please call Mark Mitchell: 021 057 9501 or email: Mark.mitchell@national.org.nz

Have your say on the future of Rodney Our local board has come up with a three-year plan outlining the key initiatives we want to focus on to help our communities thrive and support the recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. Now we need your help to check if we’ve got it right. So love local and get vocal about your local community, and don’t forget to provide your feedback before 4pm, Thursday 13 August. For more information, a copy of the draft Rodney Local Board Plan 2020 and to provide your feedback go to akhaveyoursay.co.nz/lovelocal

. Toget her we can love local 6 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020

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Lorayne Ferguson, Labour Party

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Fiona MacKenzie, New Conservative Party

orayne is a retired social services manager who is standing as a candidate for the first time. This is not something she ever imagined herself doing, but when the chosen candidate for Whangaparaoa had to withdraw for personal reasons, she decided to “step up”. Born in Dunedin and raised in Christchurch, she worked in Auckland in the 1970’s. She has been a primary school teacher, probation officer, and a social worker in the geriatric unit at North Shore Hospital. While in the UK she acquired social work and management qualifications and worked at a senior level managing the full range of community, day care, residential and inpatient services in the area of older people’s mental health. During this time Lorayne came home often and kept in touch with developments in New Zealand. She was on the first international flight into Christchurch following the earthquake and stayed for three months, caring for her widowed mother during that most difficult time. She and her Kiwi husband retired “home” to their hectare of bush in Redvale seven years ago and immediately participated in the Predator Free Corridor project with Forest and Bird. With her husband she has started a modest collection of prints and watercolours by living Kiwi artists. Lorayne describes her political values as the result of her Scottish ancestry, her working class upbringing, her travels in Asia, Europe and South America along with her social work training and aged care experiences. She believes in a Labour government which demonstrates both compassion and respect: caring certainly, but not in a “nanny state” way. A good example of this is establishing and then doubling the Winter Fuel Payment. Having spent most of her professional life working with frail elders and their carers, she feels she can speak for, and to, this growing section of the population. And she wants her campaign to show that it's never too late to dream.

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For more information, please call Lorayne Ferguson on 021 267 9661 or email: Lorayne.ferguson@labour.org.nz

For more information, please call Fiona Mackenzie on 0274 978-839 or email: Fiona.mackenzie@newconservative.org.nz

ew Conservative has selected Fiona Mackenzie as their candidate for the revised Whangaparaoa electorate. A Hibiscus Coaster for 33 years, Fiona is a wife, mother, business person and community volunteer. Her work experience covers the spectrum, with the more formal side including teaching, finance and marketing communications. She has a BA and MBA from Auckland University, was self-employed for 28 years and, with her husband, owns a business on the Shore. Her volunteer work has included non-profit boards, project management for Te Araroa – New Zealand’s walking trail, environmental projects, as well as lobbying to protect our democracy and freedom of speech. Fiona firmly believes that strong families result in happier communities. “We live in a lovely part of the country, but we have a lot of work to do if our children are to enjoy a united, peaceful and prosperous future,” says Fiona. "Raising children can be stressful and expensive at times. New Conservative wants to help via tax breaks, more affordable housing, good education options, local jobs and ready access to healthcare services. "We also need to strengthen our democracy. Politicians and the bureaucracy need reminding that they work for us – the people. Policies and laws must be simple, practical and fair to all; and they must respect our democratic, human rights. “Basic infrastructure and services should also be prioritised. Red tape, wasteful spending, tax-takes and empire-building must be kept to a minimum. "But higher quality public services and support depends upon building a strong economy. We need to prioritise economic wellness so we can maintain a healthy population and environment. Linking MPs’ salary increases to the average wage might help remind them of this!”

THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020 | 7

Ultra Fast Broadband for Coatesville

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he Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) – along with the office of Chris Penk MP, Chorus, and Crown Infrastructure Partners – has been working on an initiative to secure Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB) availability for the Coatesville area via fibre optic cables. The geography of the Coatesville valley means that “wired” services are the only way of providing secure, uninterruptable internet. Many households are in “dead” areas for either mobile reception or point to point broadcast. Security of supply is essential for businesses/staff now working remotely in our post-Covid world and reliable high-quality internet is also becoming increasingly important for education and other family recreational activities. When the Government-funded broadband initiatives (UFB2 and RBI2) were announced around 2017, Coatesville was conspicuous by its absence (even Muriwai was included) despite the high concentration of home businesses and proximity to the Auckland CBD. We have recently gained some traction after discussion with representatives from Chorus, who are the contracted installation provider. We can summarise the current situation as follows: ∞ Chorus have analysed the

connection possibilities and can supply UFB to the area shown in the map of Coatesville on the front page. ∞ Connections could be available in approximately 12–18 months depending on Chorus’s build capacity availability, but in any case, will be complete before the end of the UFB2 programme in December 2022. ∞ For Coatesville, more sparsely populated than a typical UFB area, the cost is around 50% higher per household/business. This cost includes a connection to the property of up to 200m in length from the street to the home/business. The same as UFB2 areas around the country, such as Muriwai. ∞ Crown Infrastructure will fund to the same level as other similar UFB areas and Chorus will make a significant contribution, one of the highest per connection contributions. ∞ There is a shortfall in funding for this UFB supply addition and a mailer has been delivered to the addresses in the intended UFB supply area requesting monetary support to raise the shortfall. We have been advised that the offer of the funding from Crown Infrastructure and Chorus is available for a short time only, due to many competing priorities post Covid-19. We have a short time window in which to gain household support and raise the funds

to allow UFB to be installed in the area indicated by Chorus. A mailer, with more detail, was recently delivered to households in the proposed coverage area. If you need more information, please email coatesvilleufb@outlook.com with your contact details and questions. From the CRRA

Civil Defence

Informative and interactive, volcanoes at the museum. www. aucklandmuseum.com/volcanoes

Clean and Green

Autumn leaves + winter rains = blocked drains. Let’s get a head start on spring cleaning.

8 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020

Weed Control – Gorse

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his is the first of a few columns I will do, written in conjunction with Pest Free Coatesville to help you with your weed control efforts. The pure definition of a weed is any plant growing where it’s not wanted; there’s a few weeds/plants around here which are hard to picture ever being wanted. New Zealand generally, and Auckland in particular, is a great place to grow weeds; in fact, we’re world leaders. That’s because by world standards we have generally mild temperatures, without extremes despite our feelings about the recent chilly days – and we have plenty of moisture combined with fertile soils. This all adds up to an ideal place for seeds to germinate and then grow rapidly into an adult plant that will, in turn, reseed itself. Plant life cycles of imported plants are often quicker in New Zealand than they are in their country of origin, hence they become a pest. As lifestylers, controlling them can become an ongoing mission for us due to the quantity we have to deal with. It’s not like hand-weeding the pansy garden, and so we resort to herbicides (weedkillers) as a necessary evil. It’s not enjoyable wandering around in clouds of herbicide spray, but you can reduce your weed killer use and be kinder on the environment and yourself by using the cut and dab method. This is where you cut

By Grant McKechnie

Cut gorse when it starts to flower because its food reserves are lowest at this time.

down the offending weed and dab a concentrated solution of weed killer on to the remaining stump. For example, if you have 1.5m tall gorse bush, clambering through it to spray at head height is no fun. Cut it off at ground level and dab, spray or paint on your gorse killer at three-times the recommended concentration within 10 minutes of cutting. It’s a much friendlier method and you’ll put a lot less chemical into the environment. The 10-minute timing is important as you need to get your chemical onto the stump before it callouses over. This is also a good method to use when cutting down trees like poplars and gums to stop them re-sprouting. Make sure you wear gumboots, leggings or overalls, gloves and a face mask when spraying and wash you and your clothes well when you have ∞ finished.

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lenty of progress is being made by the Pest Free Coatesville group. Regular email newsletters are keeping members updated and the logo above, designed by local Cam Craig, is helping boost the group's identity. Several funding applications are being considered, including a DOC grant that the group's leader Gary Langridge says in moving in a "positive direction". Gary says, if the grant application is successful, the group will be able to start work in the Coatesville Scenic Reserve. The Coatesville Scouts will assist with managing the traplines once they have completed the required training. This work will go towards the Scouts achieveing their Conservation badges. Two new regional coordinators have been appointed; Julia Woodley Smith in the south and Geoff Spong in the north region. Owen Sprosen from the Coateville Country Garden Club has agreed to take up the role of Flora Coordinator. ∞

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THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020 | 9

Rodney Local Board News By Louise Johnston

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s money has been cut from budgets across Council, it is so important that projects such as the development of the future park at Green Road are well supported by the local community. There are two important plans that are out for public feedback this month. Apologies in advance if this does feel like Groundhog Day but without local support it will be difficult to get these projects off the ground. Draft Local Board Plan Firstly, the draft local board plan. This is a strategic document that sets out the objectives for the Rodney Local Board over the next three years. In a nutshell, if it is not on the plan, it will not get done. Below are a couple of initiatives from the draft Local Board Plan that will impact our area. It would be great to get your feedback on these. ∞ Advocate for additional stops on our local bus network. ∞ Improve the pedestrian safety by constructing footpaths and pedestrian crossings. ∞ Support the implementation of trails, walkways and bridle paths. ∞ Advocate for planting on our future park at Green Road to be funded from developers offsetting their environmental impacts. ∞ Continue to develop and deliver plans and outcomes for our new park at Green Road. ∞ Push for reliable, fast and affordable broadband connections for all communities. ∞ Continue to support volunteers working in our parks on restoration projects, pest and weed control. You can find out more and provide feedback using the below link. Feedback closes on 13 August.

Chris Penk MP

Hardcopies are also available at the library and the Orewa Council building. https://akhaveyoursay. aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rodneyplan Draft Master Plan for Green Road Following on from the need’s assessment on our future 154 hectare park at Green Road, Council staff have now completed the draft master plan. This draft plan protects the rural character of the future park, allows for planting and provides a trail network for horse riding, walking, running and mountain biking. It would be great to get your feedback. Please contact me if you would like to discuss further or provide feedback online in August on akhaveyoursay.co.nz Transport I am still waiting for details of the AT safety audit at the intersection of Potter Road and Dairy Flat Highway. For the speed limit reductions that came into force last month, can you please let me know if the roads in your area are showing the incorrect signs. Also, apologies, last month I mentioned that Ridge Road was going to 60kmphr however only a section of the road has been reduced to this limit. Please get in contact with any questions on 021 729 739 or email louise.johnston@aucklandcouncil. govt.nz

hey say a week is a long time in politics and it’s definitely felt like that recently. At the same time, though, in a counter-intuitive way I could easily add that three years seems like a pretty short time in politics. Certainly my first term as a local MP has raced by, so perhaps it’s true that time flies when you’re having fun. Hard work along the way has centred around the lobbying of central and local government decision makers to get something better for Coatesville and surrounding areas in relation to internet connectivity. It’s been a long, slow process but good will has been demonstrated by those involved and I’m cautiously optimistic that light is now visible at the end of the tunnel. Please engage with the process of community funding for the final amount needed to get internet connectivity here. Hopefully you’ve had the chance to do that via the Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers Association (“CRRA”). As the 2020 election approaches it is satisfying to see some of the hard work come to fruition. You will have received a letter from the CRRA advising of the opportunity for many properties in Coatesville to achieve better internet connection. More particularly, most readers of The Coatesville Chronicle will have received a letter detailing what I consider to be an unexpectedly generous offer from the Crown, requiring that the

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final $300,000 be funded at local level. After some tumultuous recent times in the political arena – and changes to electorate boundaries that will put many in this area into Whangaparaoa electorate (currently held as “Rodney” by Mark Mitchell) – I want to reassure readers that our focus remains pushing for better infrastructure for Coatesville and surrounding areas, especially internet connectivity. Thanks for getting onboard with that aspiration! Chris Penk

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A1 Sure Services Tree Care All aspects of tree work, stump grinding and land clearance. Qualified arborists. Full Insurance. Free quotes. 446 1258 or 021 175 8660 Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114 Albany Fences and Retaining Ph Mike 021 635 021 Lifestyle specialist and advice Ph Mike 021 635 021 Carol’s Beauty Therapy & Spray Tanning At 86 The Avenue, Albany. Phone 415 4445. Professional services at affordable prices. Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352

Clothes from Shellz Design, made to order, and my range of designer clothing plus alterations. Michelle 027 472 9080. Coatesville Handyman All building work and odd jobs around the home, fast and efficient. Call Mark 022 195 5746 Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 021 191 4195 Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066 Drapes, Blinds, Shutters: For the perfect fitting window treatments call Linda 09 416 0408, 021 914 121 Alterations & Repair service available. www.interiortailor.co.nz English Tuition Individual or group lessons for NCEA, Cambridge, IB, IELTS, English conversation and grammar. Any level. Phone Diane 021 993680 Gardener/Landscape Maintenance Due to Covid I have 2x 4-hour spaces available Phone Debbie 021 101 4913 GET IN SHAPE Local private gym for one-on-one training or small group sessions, specialising in weight loss, general fitness and rehabilitation. Call Debbie 027 441 8769. LAWN MOWING, You Grow & Joe will mow. Lifestyle, commercial and residential. Ph Joe 021 624 494 / joseph@propertyfit.co.nz Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033 Pilates in Coatesville Hall, Thursday @ 6pm. Special – 2 free lessons for new clients. $12 school term, $15

concession card and $20 casual class. Contact Abraham on 021 122 1530 or abrahampardo@gmail.com Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863 Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223. Zumba in the Settlers Hall, Mondays at 10am, at the Settlers Hall. $15 per session or $12 each if you buy five. For more information, call Hana on 021 0221 2714.

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THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020 | 11

Is real estate in Coatesville busy?… Absolutely busy!

J

uly is the month when many are overseas or on school holidays, so usually one of the quietest months in real estate but not this year! It already feels like spring or summer busy-ness with the bonus of a number of buyers cashed up ready to buy. Despite the cooler weather, this has not deterred buyers from searching and researching for their new home. Interest in bare land is strong and although initially buyers were more entry-level Coatesville, the higher end is getting good interest too. This crossover has come from people selling in the city and North Shore looking to move out to lifestyle. There have been a number of buyers who prior to Covid were not considering lifestyle but now see this is the premium place to live if Level 4 hits again. Once property sells in residential areas, our lifestyle market picks up. There is a shortage of property for buyers to choose from so those currently on the market have a golden opportunity. We do have an election in two months at which time the market generally slows down, however nothing this year has been normal! With all this in mind, if you are looking at selling in 2020, maintenance over these winter months is vital to ensure that your property hits the market in its best presentation. Critical areas include keeping gutters clean, removing lichen from roofs and moss from pathways and steps. First impressions count, so ensure your entrance and garden leading to the entrance, offer that Wow factor and give that inviting feeling. This can be done by trimming hedges, adding colour (not necessarily flowers as there are many plants that offer colour), potted colour or a nice garden sculpture. This you could take with you when you sell as well. I have many helpful locals that can assist with any maintenance jobs you want help with. I am regularly invited into homes to give the once over to ensure that the areas that you are working on will add value and salability which is a no brainer .... so, I invite you to call me now! A little planning will make sure your property makes the best first impression on every viewing.

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12 | THE COATESVILLE CHRONICLE | JULY 2020

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