FIRST PUBLIC MEETING

Newly elected Chairman of the Darfield Residents Association (DRA), Harvey Polglase, commented that at the first public meeting of the group the response by the Selwyn District Council (SDC) to their questions around chlorination of the Darfield water supply was disappointing.

Ken May , Chair of the Malvern Community Board, apologised that no one from SDC was able to attend to answer questions from the audience but outlined the current situation.

Chlorination of Darfield water is legally obligated until an exemption is granted by Taumata Arowai, and SDC has indicated that Darfield is about the bottom of the list for consideration. Any action is likely to take many years and Council advice appears to show this is due to the septic tank situation and rural backflow connections to the water supply. However, it was pointed out that the Medical Officer of Health has previously stated that the septic tanks in Darfield pose no threat to the water supply. In addition, SDC has had several hundred thousand dollars in previously (and currently) collected rates for ‘Darfield Sewage Investigation’, which can no longer be needed and could be used to sort the backflow issue. The residents agreed to ask SDC to review the Darfield situation with a view to progressing an application as soon as possible.

The newly formed Residents Association is also looking to get involved with pedestrian crossings to improve safety for children and have contacted SDC regarding this. A proposal is underway to work with the community in hosting a big Christmas event for Darfield, and a design competition for a logo for the Association is to be held. Details will be posted on the DRA Facebook account and in the Malvern News, so keep an eye out. Overall, the Association intends to become a strong advocate for the needs of Darfield residents, to ensure we have a great community going forward.

Darfield Bricktacular

The Darfield Bricktacular will take place on August 26th, at the Darfield Recreation Centre, on behalf of the Darfield Primary School PTA. This event is a fundraiser for the much needed renovation of the Darfield primary School Sports Shed, as well as new equipment for the growing number of students.

The Darfield Bricktacular will be a fun, family event for the whole community to enjoy. The event will feature House of Bricks ‘Play and Display’ with Lego Masters New Zealand contestants Rachel and Jason de Vries , Lego themed ‘play pits’ including Duplo for the young, Technic for the experienced and everything in between. There will be an Individual Building Competition where people build their entry at home and take it along to the event. It will be open to all ages (preschool, children and adults). $2 per entry.

Malvern Schools (preschool and Years 1-8) have been invited to put together a team to fill a trestle table with their creations, which will be judged on the day. The challenge is to design and build a new landmark or place that represents the town where the school is based.

There will also be brick-themed stalls, a crafty kids activity station with a pick and paint your own minifigure or brick plaster of paris ornament.

Taszelle (Art and Craft Shop) will be attending with custom printed brick-themed shirts, presales are available via her Facebook page: Taszelle.

House of Bricks, design your own minifigure will be available for purchase also.

There is an amazing raffle with fantastic prizes, which will be drawn after the event. There will be a sausage sizzle, bake sale, The Coffee Lady and more. This is a cash only event. Tickets can be pre-purchased online at: www.trybooking.com click on Explore Events and put Darfield in the search Event Section. Visit the Darfield Primary School PTA Facebook page for further details.