| Rubbish Collections Christmas/New Year 2008/9 (4/12/08) | We are delighted that Rodney District Council has agreed to provide extra facilities this year for the disposal of excess recyclables. The usual Monday collections of rubbish and recyclables remain, and additional rubbish collections will take place every Friday from 26 December to 30 January.
TEMPORARY SKIP BINS FOR EXCESS RECYCLABLES (not rubbish) will be in place by the BOAT RAMP, GREENKEEPERS SHEDS, and the OMAHA SOUTH CARPARK (details below) between 23 Dec 2008 and 9 Feb 2009. We urge residents to use these, and to use them responsibly to ensure that we can retain this service now and have it again in the future.
The information below has been provided by RDC.
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR 2008/9
KERBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTION
Monday 22 December – collection as per usual
Monday 29 December – collection as per usual
Monday 05 January 09 - collection as per usual
Please remember to;
• Have your recycling out by 7am Monday
• Squash plastic bottles and cans
• Place excess recyclables in an open rigid container (NOT plastic bags or cardboard boxes)
• Bind paper and flattened cardboard securely with string or plastic bags
Any queries – phone RDC on 0800 4265169.
TEMPORARY PUBLIC RECYCLING SKIP BINS
From 23 Dec 2008 to 09 Feb 2009 there will be temporary skip bins for excess recyclables placed at the following locations around Omaha;
• Boat ramp x 2 (Omaha Drive)
• Greenkeepers shed (Omaha Drive)
• Omaha south carpark (Mangatawhiri Rd, between Inanga & Paraoa)
These bins are for public use and for RECYCLABLES ONLY. No rubbish. Abuse of these bins will result in their removal.
Any queries – phone RDC on 0800 4265169.
RUBBISH COLLECTIONS
Ph 4258567
• Mason Bins Orange Rubbish Bag and wheelie bin collections will be Monday as per usual.
• Bags and bins must be out by 7am on collection day.
• Extra collections will be provided every Friday starting from Friday 26 Dec 08 until Friday 30 Jan 09.
Any queries – phone Mason Bins 4258567
|  | | | | Notice of Annual Meeting 3 Jan 2009 (2/12/08) | NOTICE OF MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS of Omaha Beach Community Incorporated will be held in the Omaha Beach Community Centre, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach, at 4pm on Saturday 3 January 2009.
BUSINESS
1. Welcome
2. Apologies
3. Confirmation of Minutes of the Annual Meeting held 3 January 2008
4. Receipt of the President’s Report for 2008
5. Receipt of the Annual Accounts for the period ending 31 October 2008
6. Confirmation of the appointment of Auditor for the period ending 31 October 2009
7. Confirmation of Amount of the Annual Subscription Fee for the 2009 Subscription Year as recommended by the Committee
8. Election of the Committee for the 2009 year from nominations received in accordance with the Constitution
9. Receipt of Club Reports – Golf, Bowls, Tennis, Surf Club, Outrigger Canoe
10. General Business
Judy O’Callahan, Secretary, 2 December 2008
| | | | | Matakana Rd speed limit now 80km/hr (30/11/08) | From Mon 1 December 2008, the speed limit on Matakana Road, all the way between the 50km/hr limits at Warkworth and at Matakana Village, is 80km/hr.
For more information see Rodney District Council website (www.rodney.govt.nz) Public Notice dated 27 Nov 08 Road Speed Limits Bylaw.
The GHD 2008 Speed Limit Review of all roads reviewed this year for RDC can be found at
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/YourCouncil/meetings/agendaminutes/Documents/Agenda%20Minutes%202008/August%202008/Full%20Council%2028%20August/item4_appendix1.pdf | | | | | Graffiti Removal |
If you see any graffiti, contact CityCare through Rodney District Council on 09 426 9085 as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of it being discovered.
If you are interested in becoming a Respect Rodney Rapid Removal volunteer, contact Rodney District Council on 09 426 5169, or for more information go to the RDC website www.rodney.govt.nz and the 4 September 2008 news item "Graffiti Busters Wanted", or contact Paul Green, Acting Community Development Manager, RDC. | | | | | Planning Forum Agenda (19/11/08) | OBC
22 NOVEMBER 2008 PLANNING FORUM FOR 2009
4pm at Community Centre, Northwest Anchorage, Omaha Beach
AGENDA
Welcome – OBC President, Graham Painter
Apologies
Opening address – Mayor Penny Webster
Councillor Comments
Status of previous meeting objectives
2008 initiatives
Items carried forward and new items
Suggestions for future - from the floor
Close of meeting
Happy Hour
OBC PLANNING FORUM 2008/9
1. STATUS OF PREVIOUS MEETING OBJECTIVES
1.1. Walkway / Cycleway Bridge
1.2. Seawall
1.3. Summer Security 2007/8
1.4. Vehicles on Walkways / Dunes / Beach
1.5. Builders Rubbish
1.6. Rabbits
1.7. Warkworth Medical Services
1.8. Boat Ramp
1.9. New Commercial Centre
1.10. Footpath Omaha Drive
1.11. Causeway Speed Limit
1.12. Stop Sign Meiklejohn Way
2. 0BC 2008 INITIATIVES
2.1. Public Property Maintenance
2.2. Signage
2.3. Emergency Power
2.4. Broadband
2.5. Omaha Taniko Wetlands Scientific Reserve Walkway
2.6. Matakana to Omaha Beach Walkway
2.7. Rates
2.8. Storm Water Rates
2.9. Street Lighting
2.10. Omaha Beach Golf Club Rental
2.11. Security
2.12. OBC Database
2.13. Inundation Issue
2.14. Christmas / New Year Rubbish Collections
2.15. Skate Board Facility
2.16. Jet Ski Lanes Proposed for Estuary
2.17. Omaha Park
2.18. ARC Whangateau Catchment Assessment Study
| | | | | OBC Planning Forum 4pm Sat 22 Nov 2008 |
OMAHA BEACH COMMUNITY INC PLANNING FORUM 2008/2009
The OBC Planning Forum will be held in the Omaha Beach Community Centre, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach at 4pm on Saturday, 22 November, 2008.
This is an opportunity for you to have your input into the future direction for Omaha Beach and we encourage your attendance.
For those who are not yet members, or have not yet paid 2008 subs, this may be an opportunity to act, in order to attend the AGM on Saturday 3 January 2009. The AGM is restricted to financial members only. | | | | | Golf Club Auction 6pm Sunday 26 Oct (23/10/08) | OMAHA BEACH GOLF CLUB FUND RAISING AUCTION
The Omaha Beach Golf Club is holding a holding a fund raising auction this Labour Weekend Sunday, 26 October 16 at 6pm, at the prize giving for the club's Morris & James tournament. Venue: Omaha Community Centre, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Please come along, support the Golf Club (even if you're not a golfer) and join in the fun of the auction.
Items up for auction include
: Holiday at Copthorne Hotel and Resort - Bay of Islands
: Coromandel Golf Vacation (donated by Phil Stokes)
: Golf lessons with Warren Lim
: Premium Wine (donated by Jim & Maggie Kensington)
: Fabulous Fishing Trip (donated by Rod & Gae Spencer)
: Original Paintings by Bill Harris and by Joy Finney
: Womens Clothing (donated by John Spooner of Dalton Apparel Ltd)
: Golf Concession Card at Omaha Beach Golf Club
Bar and Cafe will be open for refreshments. Great raffles also on offer.
Any enquiries please contact the Omaha Beach Golf Club office (Ph)09 422 7551.
| | | | | New Listing in Directory (13/10/08) | | Please welcome the Omaha Outrigger Canoe Club to the OBC Directory. Anyone interested in joining a junior team should meet at the boat-ramp at 1:00pm on Sunday afternoons. See the Directory listing under Clubs and Groups for further information. | | | | | New Listing in Directory (6/10/ 2008) | | Please welcome Omaha Property Maintenance Services to the OBC Directory. Peter and Marie Luyt have lived in Omaha for 12 years and can provide a wide range of services to keep your property in top condition. See their listing for full details. | | | | | Omaha Tree Trimming 2008 (Updated 02/09/08) | | Rodney District Council will again be running a program to prune and remove trees in the public places of Omaha. Applications close on 22 September. Scroll down to see the original news item with links to the application form. | | | | | Coastal Indundation & Flooding | Coastal Inundation and Flooding Variation 61
Rodney District Council letter to OBC Inc 22 May 2008
22 May 2008
Reference RG/23/1
Merv Dry
Vice President
Omaha Beach Community Inc.
PO Box 123
Matakana
WARKWORTH
Dear Merv
INUNDATION HAZARD : RODNEY'S EAST COAST
This letter is intended to convey the Council's current position in relation to the management of the coastal inundation hazard along Rodney's eastern coastline.
While overall management includes control of land development including subdivision), foreshore protection, building; control and provision of advice, this letter focuses on the latter two as these are of the most immediate interest to current landowners.
By way of background the risk of inundation arises from a combination of factors that would result in very high sea levels along the coast-line, typically in conjunction with significant wave action. The inundation could result in surface flooding, possible flooding of floors, damage to buildings and coastal structures and erosion of the coastal margin.
The combination of factors that could result in inundation to this extent would typically include a significant low pressure weather system off the east coast, strong easterly winds, peak high tides and the possibility cf sea level rise associated with climate change. While this is an extreme event the duration of such storms and time of year they typically occur does make it quite possible.
In assessing any risk, a critical step is the selection of an appropriate risk level. A low risk approach would use the most extreme predictions and would result in the most conservative management controls. However this would also impose the greatest costs and several generations cf residents might never see such an event, Typically this might be described as a 1 in a 100 year return period (or 1% Annual Exceedance Probability) although more extreme events are still possible. At the other end of the spectrum a high risk approach would utilise perhaps a 20 year return period (5% AEP) and would have the most permissive management approach. It would however mean that buildings and facilities would almost certainly be exposed to more extreme events within their economic lives with inevitable damage, personal risk, insurance claims and expectations that it should never happen again.
The overall approach adopted by Rodney District Council is to adopt a moderate risk approach which highlights that - the risk exists in this area but has minimal impact on the existing community or future development.
We have used information and predictions generated by Tonkin & Taylor (T &T), perhaps New Zealand's foremost coastal engineering consultancy. From a range of options we have adopted a 50 year return period (2% AEP) standard which is generally consistent with Building Act requirements but less conservative (higher risk) than Resource Management Act interpretations. Within this we adopted a smaller allowance for possible sea level rise than recommended by Government agencies and the IPCC outcomes to reflect the ongoing debate and uncertainty associated with this issue.
The T&T report predicted inundation levels at various locations on Rodney's east coast based on tidal information and the predicted acted storm effects. This included predicted levels in harbours and estuaries which can be significantly less than the adjacent exposed coastline. The information includes predictions with "wave setup" (the combination of the factors described above) and "wave run-up" which is higher than the setup level as it includes the effect of the waves breaking and running up the land.
Within this framework Council is pursuing 4 specific bodies of work:-
a. LAND DEVELOPMENT
Aspects of the District Plan are being reviewed primarily to ensure that inappropriate development does not occur in areas potentially subject to inundation.
b. COASTAL PROTECTION
The information is being utilised in Coastal Compartment Management Plans (CCMPs) focused on protecting the coastline and the amenity values it provides.
c. BUILDING CONTROL
Minimum floor levels for new houses, or significant alterations, have been based on the modified T&T report using the 2% AEP predictions for wave set-up plus a freeboard allowance of 200mm. Houses within 50m of the coast-line might also be subject to the higher wave run-up levels and are required to undertake specific design to allow for this.
d. PROVISION OF INFORMATION
Council is required to provide Land Information Memorandum (LIM) when requested. A LIM provides a summary of specific information relating to a property and must include information identifying any special feature or characteristic of the land concerned, including potential inundation and other potential or known land hazards.
Regional or localised hazards including inundation, flood prone areas, expansive soils and the presence of Northland Allochthon soil types, are recorded and held in Councils Electronic Mapping system (GIS).
Every LIM produced includes a series of Maps from the mapping system, including four hazard maps, each depicting the target property and indicating the extent of the specific hazard in relation to that property. These four hazard maps are always included within a LIM, even if the maps indicate the property is unaffected by a hazard, as the absence of a hazard may be as important to the LIM purchaser as any presence.
I have attached a wide area printout for Omaha which shows the extent of the inundation hazard using Council's current approach and a printout of the pages generated for each hazard when a LIM is produced. It is important to note that the inundation hazard in relation to properties within 50m of the coast-line is expanded in the notes on that page.
It is apparent from the maps that very few properties in Omaha are directly affected by the inundation mapping, albeit that most waterfront properties are affected by the cautionary note.
There is a group of properties in the vicinity of Esme Grove, The Southern Isle and Ruby Cove that warrants further consideration. They are lower than the set-up inundation prediction but are partially protected by a higher foredune. Determining how the foredune would respond to a severe storm would require additional specific investigation that is not funded at this level of detail.
In addition to the above we have also developed processes that allow the general information used by council to be modified to reflect site-specific investigations into either the local levels or the way that the inundation hazard might impact on the property. With respect to contour information, we believe we have demonstrated that there is very close alignment between the LIDAR regional data that Council uses and local information and this is highly unlikely to result in incorrect hazard mapping.
While Council has yet to consider and adopt a consolidated policy encompassing all of the above points they have been closely involved in its evolution. The processes described above are all in place at this time and seem to be working.
Relatively low-lying communities such as Omaha will always have an expose to extreme coastal events and Council policy cannot change that. However we believe that the current approach, particularly in relation to the LIM process, strikes an appropriate balance between Council's legal obligations and the interests of existing and prospective land-owners.
It is Council's intention that the consolidated policy will be shared with interested parties before it is presented to Council and I would anticipate that Omaha Beach Community Inc. would be included in that process.
Please contact Paul Utting, Director Assets and Facilities if any of the above comments require clarification.
Yours sincerely
Roger Kerr-Newell
CHIEF EXECUTIVE | | | | | Omaha Park Development - Update (14/08/2008) | The letter below was sent out to all OBC members earlier in the year.
Subsequently, Environment Court Judge Craig Thompson AWARDED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT S274 STATUS, which will enable Omaha Beach Community Inc to make submissions to the Environment Court on behalf of the Omaha Beach community.
Dear Omaha Beach Community (OBC) member,
Omaha Park development update
We, the OBC committee, want to thank those of you who attended Easter Saturday's meeting. We had a splendid turnout – over 320 members came for the update on where we are currently at in regard to our objections process. We appreciate the support our presentation received and it's good knowing our community is right behind us. We will keep you informed of any significant developments as they occur, such as the status of the 274 application or of any other subsequent events.
We also issue an invitation for Omaha residents to contact us to have a personal presentation and explanation from a committee member. Clearly, in the interest of efficiency, our preference would be for neighbours to group together for this. Please refer to the OBC email address above.
For those of you who could not make the meeting, we want to give you a sense of the current position and where to from here.
Background
By unanimous direction from the Omaha Beach community at the November Planning Forum meeting and the subsequent January AGM, the OBC is opposed to a proposal by Omaha Park Ltd (OPL) to develop a large area of property which overlooks the southern end of Omaha Beach. The proposed Seaview Village comprises a huge residential development, which, in the opinion of OBC, is out of character, but, more importantly, is against the principles of the RMA and the Rodney District Plan. See latest montage below.
The OBC has initiated a series of actions to challenge this development. Rodney District Council (RDC), together with the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) have opposed the re-zoning necessary to make the development a reality.
Who is Omaha Park Ltd?
According to a title search Omaha Park Ltd is financed by Providence Investment Company Ltd a company based in the Jersey Islands. The apparent controlling parties are Pamela Raspe and her husband Herman Hauser, both of whom are based in Europe. The directors of OPL include David John Hubbard and Valerie Joan Hubbard who is the sister of Pamela Raspe.
What are they planning?
The "Seaview Village" on the southern end of Omaha Beach. The application comprises 830 residential units, made up of houses and townhouses and apartments in high density and up to 9 metres in height.
Also included is a commercial centre and a 200 room hotel including a restaurant, conference and other facilities on Te Kie Point.
What this will mean to us...
- More than double the presently planned Omaha Beach population
- Mangatawhiri Road will become a main highway
- Whangateau Estuary will suffer the effects of sedimentation runoff and resultant heavy metal pollutants plus the effects of increased boat useage
- Boat ramp is already at capacity
- Negative effect on property values – the solicitors for Omaha Park have advised Bayleys in a letter that they should not refer to a property at the southern end of the beach as "private, tranquil and secure" as this could be misrepresentation in view of their proposed development
- Bulk of existing native regeneration will be obliterated
- There is no extra beach parking available
What are we doing about the situation?
With the mandate of OBC, we have engaged leading Environment Law Barrister and Omaha Beach resident, Richard Brabant, who is receiving instructions from OBC committee member and Omaha Beach resident Chris Allan from Grove Darlow, solicitors. Also on our team is Pt Wells resident, Paul Dale, a senior Barrister.
We have applied for a 274 Party Hearing, which will enable us to make submissions to the Environment Court on behalf of OBC. This will be supported by evidence including the original Di Andre decision in which the decision was made by the Environment Court that the land should not be further subdivided.
If we are not granted leave to make submissions, we will appeal to the High Court. We are totally committed to not letting this environmental assault go unchallenged.
Our legal team were all involved in the original Di Andre decision and the decision that was made then that the land should only be subdivided to the level which exists today, i.e. into 5 residential sites.
We will be engaging appropriate expert witnesses to support our case such as Dennis Scott who was a party to the original Di Andre decision and who is a landscape and environment specialist.
We will be actively involved with other avenues of redress such as approaching local government to ensure that this matter receives the attention it deserves. We will keep you informed as we progress.
Fundraising
We will soon be commencing a major fund-raising effort and we will be in contact with you regarding this in due course.
Graham Painter – President, Omaha Beach Community Inc
8 April 2008
 | | | | | Omaha Tree Trimming 2008 (Updated 14/08/08) | Rodney District Council will again be running a program to prune and remove trees in the public places of Omaha.
They invite residents to submit requests for pruning and removals between;
1st August 2008 and 15th September 2008.
For any request to be successful RDC insist that contact be made with any affected neighbours particularly if shading, screening and privacy are factors. Written consent must be received from these neighbours and sent to City Care, RDC's Parks and Coastal Contractors who will carry out this work. This request form with neighbours' approval must be submitted before 15 September 2008.
Forms for submission details and neighbour’s approval can be found on the following web sites:
Rodney District Council- www.rodney.govt.nz
Omaha Beach Community Inc- www.omahabeach.co.nz
Once forms have been signed and filled out they can sent to one of the following options:
Email: omahatrees@citycare.co.nz
Faxed: 09 4269735
Postal Address: City Care Ltd, 40c Forge Rd, Silverdale.
RDC advise that any request received after this date will not be considered this year. | | | | | Broadband Availability - Update (6/7/08) | Wanting broadband service? There is capacity again, and room to grow.
We are pleased to advise that Chorus (Telecom) have completed their upgrade work in our area, and all you should need to do to get broadband service is contact your ISP or Telecom's contact centre.
(Chorus advise that "The Matakana cabinet has been upgraded with a new DSLAM (Broadband equipment) and the bulk line transfers (existing) completed".) | | | | | New Listings in Directory (29/06/08) | | Please welcome two new OBC supporters, Cranston Homes and Stonewood Homes. If you are planning the construction of a new home you will find their contact details under Real Estate in the Directory pages of the OBC website. | | | | | Lost Diving Equipment (24/06/08) | | Beachtalk reader Adam Rusk reports that he lost 2 spearguns in the surf opposite the Surf Club on 22/06/08. One of these spearguns has sentimental value as it is a 21st birthday present. If you find these or know of someone who has, please contact Adam on 021-1866721. | | | | | Broadband Availability - Omaha Beach (28/5/08) | We have been advised by the CEO of Chorus, the Telecom NZ business that now operates Telecom's local access network, that extra broadband capacity should be available in our area by mid-June.
We understand that the extra capacity requires a not insignificant upgrade as rapid expansion of broadband at Omaha Beach means that they can not satisfy customer demand on the existing infrastructure.
We are advised that the date cannot be brought forward because of the amount of work involved in augmenting capacity, but that in the unlikely event that there are any changes to plans we will be informed.
Any information received will be posted here. | | | | | Minutes - Special Meeting of Members 22 March 2008 (28/3/08) | Minutes of the Special Meeting of Members of Omaha Beach Community Inc. (“OBC”)
held at Omaha Beach Community Centre at 4.00pm on Saturday, 22 March 2008
PRESENT
President Graham Painter (chair), Vice-President Merv Dry, Treasurer Kim Fisher, Secretary Judy O’Callahan, Committee members Chris Allan, Steve Marshall, Belinda Thomas
Approximately 340 other members.
APOLOGIES
Committee members Nick Mantell, Greg Stenbeck and in writing from 13 other members.
WELCOME
Meeting commenced 4.08pm as a consequence of clearing the queue waiting to enter the hall.
The Chairman welcomed those present and thanked them for attending. He noted that this was a special meeting for members and that arrangements had been agreed with the journalist representing "Mahurangi Matters" in relation to reporting of members’ input.
ONGOING MATTERS – CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE
• Rates and proposed increases
o Numbers of members have asked that OBC make a submission to Rodney District Council (“RDC”)
o Committee members are examining the council’s Draft Plan;
o OBC intend to meet with the RDC Mayor and new CEO;
o OBC will be making a submission against the proposed increases and will attend the hearing and speak in support of the submission;
o The committee will report to members when there is something to report.
• Storm water charges
o We have a legal opinion to the effect that ratepayers can not be charged for services that are not provided and we will take this up with RDC.
• Cycleway / Walkway over Broadlands Bridge (causeway) can be seen to be well underway and nearing completion.
• Walkways
o Matakana Community Group has now gained almost 100% approval for use of land required for the Matakana-to-causeway walk.
o OBC committee members had a very positive meeting with a representative of Department of Conservation about a ‘wetlands walk’; we will report on this as matters develop
OMAHA PARK DEVELOPMENT
• The Chairman introduced himself (OBC President), Chris Allan (OBC committee member and Partner, Grove Darlow, instructing solicitors) and Paul Dale (Barrister being instructed on certain matters and Pt Wells resident), and presented an apology from Richard Brabant (Environment Law Barrister and Omaha Beach resident).
• The Chairman outlined the process undertaken in the selection of legal advisors, and noted that those advisors now involved on OBC’s behalf were all involved in the 1998 Di Andre Estates subdivision proceedings.
• The Chairman advised that the meeting would be opened up for questions at the end of the presentation.
• Matters outlined to members by the panel:
• Description of the area of land potentially affected by the Omaha Park development
• Entities involved in the Omaha Park development proposal
• Scale of proposed Seaview Village, southern end Omaha Beach including commercial centre and hotel on Te Kie Point
• Impact of proposed Omaha Park development including on existing native bush regeneration, on population, on infrastructure (including beach access parking, boat ramp, Mangatawhiri Road and Broadlands Bridge traffic), on Whangateau estuary and on Omaha Beach property values
• Omaha Park development status at Environment Court
• Environment Court Section 274 Party Hearing (21 April)
• OBC expert witnesses
• Explanation by Paul Dale of southern end residents’ restrictive covenants
• Fundraising
• The few questions asked from the floor were answered by the panel and related primarily to Section 274 status.
CONCLUSION
The Chairman thanked members for the “great turnout” and for their overwhelming support, and asked them to communicate with the committee on any matter of concern.
Meeting concluded 5.05pm with spontaneous applause.
| | | | | Urgent notice to all OBC members.....your attention needed...this affects all of us (19/3/08) | The OBC (Omaha Beach Community Inc) wrote to you two weeks ago requesting that all OBC members who are interested in maintaining the value of our properties and in preserving the beauty and tranquility of our environment attend a Special Meeting of Members to be held at the Omaha Beach Community Centre, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach, this Saturday 22nd March 2008 at 4pm.
Our beautiful beach is seriously under threat and we are determined not to let this happen.
The proposed major development will turn our lovely beach into just another Auckland suburb. We already have your mandate to act and mount a coordinated challenge now. You need to be informed of where we are at. We need the support of every one of you. Please bring your neighbours if they are members and have not received the communication.
Please be there on Saturday.
Graham Painter
President
| | | | | Notice of Meeting 4pm Sat 22 March 2008 (10/3/08) | NOTICE OF MEETING
Notice is hereby given of a Special Meeting of Members of the Omaha Beach Community Inc to be held at the Omaha Beach Community Centre, North West Anchorage, Omaha Beach on Saturday 22nd of March 2008 at 4.00pm in the afternoon.
The meeting is called to advise members on action taken to date and future proposed action in opposition to Omaha Park Limited’s development proposals and issues that flow from these proposals. The committee will be able to answer questions from members in regard to the development and the Omaha Beach Community Inc. ongoing activity in this regard.
By way of background, the development opportunity proposed by Omaha Park Limited is of concern to the Omaha Beach Community and will affect land immediately to the south of the reserve, the wetland at the southern end of the existing Omaha Beach development and Te Kie Point. The zoning sought would enable the development of up to 830 residential units comprising of a combination of houses, town houses and apartments up to 9 metres (3 stories) in height and include a small commercial centre. On Te Kie Point, a 200 room hotel including restaurant, conference and other facilities is proposed.
To ensure that OBC members understand the location and impact of the proposed development, our consultants have overlaid the development on the plan of the existing plantings of native bush that is currently some 5-10 years old and was planted as a consequence of the Di Andre Estate development which was approved in 1998. We have included this overlay plan for your information.
Graham Painter
President
Omaha Beach Community Inc
7th March 2008
| | | | | Omaha cycle bridge underway (3 March 08) | The article below has been supplied by Rodney District Council.
"Construction of Rodney District's first standalone bridge dedicated for use by pedestrians and cyclists got underway on 28 February at Omaha.
Running adjacent to Broadlands Bridge, the concrete bridge will remove the safety concerns of those who regularly walk, run or bike along the causeway that connects Omaha to Point Wells.
Rodney District Council's Mayor, Penny Webster, says the new bridge will be a wonderful community asset while making the road safer for everyone.
"Broadlands Bridge provides the only vehicle access to Omaha and is also popular with cyclists, pedestrians and fishermen making it quite busy and dangerous at times," says Mrs Webster.
"The new adjacent cycleway will ease congestion on the existing bridge and ensure everyone can enjoy what they are doing in safety," she says.
"It also shows Council's continued commitment to providing safe, convenient and pleasant walking and cycling networks so that more people can walk or cycle to their destinations," says Mrs Webster.
Stage one of construction saw Broadlands Bridge closed for brief periods of time while two 20-metre long, eight tonne piles were positioned by cranes into the Omaha estuary. Once the piles were safely on the bottom, compressed air was blown down a tube running the length of the piles to create a vacuum and secure them eight metres below the seabed.
Another two piles will be driven in later this week when excavation works are complete and there is a suitable break in weather.
For safety reasons Broadlands Bridge will be briefly closed during these works and residents will be notified accordingly.
The new bridge is due for completion by the end of May and is part of Rodney District Council's Walking and Cycling for Sustainable Transport Strategy." | | | | | Security Alert (15 February 2008) | Residents are advised that a burglar may be active in the Omaha Beach area and may be occupying holiday homes.
Residents are asked to keep an eye out for suspicious people / behaviour and to request urgent assistance from the Police (dial 111) and/or Insite Security on 0800 Omaha HELP (0800 66 24 24) if they arrive at Omaha Beach and think someone may be inside their home. | | | | | Omaha Harbourside Remediation (15 Feb 2008) | | Davis Coastal Consultants Ltd advise that work will commence on remediation of the seawalls alongside the Golf Course on Monday 18 February 2008. | | | | | 2007 Annual Planning Forum - Minutes [November 2007] | 2007 Annual Planning Forum
Minutes of the Annual Planning Forum held in the Omaha Beach Community Centre on Saturday 10th November 2007 commencing at 4.00 pm
Present
Greg Stenbeck, president of the OBC ; John Key, leader of the National Party; Penny Webster, Mayor Rodney District Council; John Kirikiri, Deputy Mayor, RDC; RDC northern ward councillors Graeme Powell, June Turner & Dave Parker; Senior sergeant Phil Paratene, Orewa police deputy commander, Bede Haughey, Officer in Charge, Warkworth Police , Warren McLennan RDC Director of Strategy & Planning & approximately 220 members.
Greg Stenbeck welcomed all present to the meeting & thanked them for making the effort to attend. He introduced the RDC representatives starting with the newly elected Mayor, a particular friend of the association for some years. & the councillor’s two of whom were new RDC representatives.
Mayor & Councillors
Mayor Webster noted that the make up of the RDC council had changed significantly with 7 new councillors & a new mayor. She believed the RDC had been held back by the attitude of the previous Council & that as a result staff had become protective. She intended that attitudes would change. She paid tribute to the work of the OBC committee for their positive attitude & determination to see projects completed .
Councillors’ Parker, Turner & Powell spoke briefly to the meeting providing a little personal background.
Planning Forum
2007 Objectives
Greg Stenbeck ran through the objectives decided at the previous planning session & reported on progress to this date
Broadlands Drive Bridge extensionWork had finally started on this project & would be completed in February 2008. It had been expected that the footpath would be completed for the 2007/8 holiday period & the project had been agreed & consented in sufficient time to do this. Unfortunately the initial tenders were so significantly higher than expected that the start date had been delayed until this had been resolved. The final price agreed was now much in line with the original expectations. This delay & the fact that a pile driving barge would have to be used meant the main progamme could not start until the new year.
Tonkin & Taylor Inundation Report
Members would remember the history of this exercise dating back to July 2005 which had originally resulted in RDC intending to issue a LIM warning to some 250 properties at Omaha of a possible flood warning in extreme weather conditions.
As a result of strenuous objections & the preparation of meticulous reports on actual height levels for Omaha properties the so called “blue line” which the council had drawn up to represent the possible flood level had been significantly reduced & might now only affect a handful (under20) of the total number of properties (none in the Southern end). During the last major storm during which conditions were certainly close to the worst scenario envisaged in Tonkin Taylor there had been no breach of the dunes & no flooding. This had given further credence to our approach.
Omaha Park Development
The application for a change in zoning has been rejected by the Council & this decision had been appealed. No attempt has been made by the developers to limit or reduce the original plan which includes a hotel complex and some 800+ residential properties. The principal access would almost certainly be via Mangatawhiri Road & the project would have a significant effect on the Omaha resources & the infrastructure principally roading & community services in the area.
Xmas/New Year Security Patrols
As a result of positive feedback from members an extended security patrol over the December January provided by Insite & paid for by OBC by means of a $20 security levy added to the membership subscription would commence in the 2007/8 holiday period.
Change of Name to “Omaha Beach”
A change of name for our community to Omaha Beach [from Omaha] had been supported by the RDC & a formal application lodged with the NZ Geographical Society. Additional information had been requested & the matter would be considered at the next NZGS meeting in May 2008. Discussions had been held with local Iwi who had not formally opposed the change but had expressed reservations.
Trees
City Care had taken over responsibility for the maintenance of the reserves & public areas at Omaha Beach & would be responsible for the annual tree trimming programme Work to date had involved a full survey of the roadside & road centre gardens & a programme to cut back excessive vegetation blocking line of sight for drivers A general tidy up & mulching /shaping had commenced.
Residents wanting to have pruning carried out or with queries about work done or work requested should contact City Care directly via the RDC help desk.
Walkway to Matakana
OBC has made an approach to have the walkway which presently ends at the other side of the causeway extended to reach Matakana. It appears the new Matakana community group has a similar plan to run a walkway from Matakana to the coast.
Bush Walkway.
To run from the road through the bush /foreshore of the southern end To be taken up with DOC who own this land
Marina
This project planned for the Eastern shoreline from the café north & involving canal access to properties is not to proceed
Swimming Diving pontoon
Not to proceed because of safety issues.
Village Green
Suggested by RDC officers on the clear area of grass adjacent to the golf club work sheds. A long term proposal
Street Lighting.
Problems reported with maintenance in the past. Resident to call the RDC helpline to report faults. Prompt action was promised by the councilors.
Storm water rates.
Residents are charged a levy for storm water services in the annual rates bill. Storm water services are not provided at Omaha. The levy has increased significantly in recent years & OBC are to raise the matter again with RDC to establish on what ground it is fair to charge for a service not being provided.
Toilet Block Southern end
A public toilet has been requested at the southern end. The Golf club would like a facility given there has been no toilet provided on the course. OBC has been involved only in suggesting a location which would cause the minimum effect on views traffic etc for Southern end residents. The matter would now be subject to the normal review process & out of OBC hands.
A show of hands suggested a majority of those present at the meeting in favour of the construction of a toilet block at the southern end.
Power Outage
Power supply to Omaha had been cut for 2 days following the July storm. Steve Mutton from Vector was present at the meeting & spoke about the impact of the storm & the measures put in place by Vector to address future interruptions.
There had been a huge impact with up to 150,000 Vector customers initially losing power. The Omaha supply comes via Wellsford & the route followed by the lines run over some difficult & inaccessible country. This & the number of breaks in the line meant the delay to restoration of power was considerable.
As a result of a review Vector now planned to do the following
For a major interruption where it was anticipated the power might be off for as much as 10 hors a portable generator would be installed at the Community center to allow hot water, some cooking facilities, showers & toilet facilities.
For a break of longer than 10 hours (subject to availability) Vector would bring in & set up generators at both northern & southern end to provide power to the community.
Communication would be improved so that in the event of a failure, residents could be quickly informed as to the nature of the event & the likely disruption time. A group was still working on a solution to this but it was acknowledged that communication had been poor & must be improved.
Graham Painter wanted to acknowledge the highly proactive & positive actions taken by Vector since the storm to address problems that had arisen
New Matakana Fire Station
This was largely complete & the fire & emergency services would be operating from the station from November. The station would be officially opened in the new year.
2008 action list
The meeting moved on to consider what item should be included/t carried forward to the 2008 year.
Rabbits
Caleci virus had been introduced some time ago but the effects of this were diminishing. In the last year bait stations had been set up in the dunes maintained by volunteers. The work was time consuming & was not addressing the problems of rabbits breeding /living on undeveloped sections.
Essentially rabbit control was an ARC matter & it appeared grants were available from the ARC for rabbit control. OBC would pursue this with the object of obtaining a grant & commissioning service from RDC.
If anyone present thinks they can help please contact the OBC committee.
Footpath Omaha Drive
On the side of the golf course. There is no footpath along Omaha drive from the entry until the Community center. No action from RDC to report.
New Commercial centre [adjacent to Surf Club]
As reported in the newsletter the site to include 4 shops, superette, wine shop, estate agent & one other This development is now consented. The second stage would comprise a restaurant & was presently obtaining resource consent. Neither the shops nor the restaurant were now expected to open before late 2008.
Causeway speed limit
Previously reduced to 80k & with the increase in numbers coming to Omaha( the Southern end is still only 25% built up) the need was to reduce the speed over the causeway still further to recognize the pedestrian use of the walkway & the numbers of people at Omaha at holiday periods & weekends.
OBC will be pressing for the introduction of a 50k limit & to communicate to Transit NZ that contrary to their thinking this is not a rural country community.
Vehicles on walkways/dunes
Problems have been encountered with vehicles on the walkways (golf carts) & accessing the beach over the dunes. RDC had rightly expressed concern over the latter & reminded OBC how vital the dunes are to protect the properties. We will work closely with Insite Security to police this issue. Residents are asked to call Insite or OBC on 0800 66 24 24, to report problems. A section of the fencing along the walkway has been removed on two occasions to allow 4 wheel access over the dunes This is wholly irresponsible.
Holiday Security
Omaha would not be assigned the extra police presence over the holiday period. that it has had in the past. Phil Paratene, Acting DistrictCommissioner of police at Orewa (Regional command) reported that based on past history Omaha had a very low trouble record as compared to other areas in the region particularly Mangawhai (90% of callouts) & extra resources would be based here rather than at Omaha
There was considerable discussion on the issue & in part this centred on the question as to whether our low level of callouts arose as a result of the additional presence we had been given in the past.
The police were confident that would have sufficient resources in the area as a whole to deal with any issues although they could not give guarantees on call response times. It was hoped the security arrangements now put in place with Insite would keep problems to a minimum.
Sergeant Bede Haughey, Officer in Charge, Warkworth Police , believed he had sufficient resources to cover any situation that arose & the police would work with Insite to ensure the best results.
No statistics were available at the meeting to give some idea of the level of problems reported in the past John Key noted he found it hard to believe that at least one additional constable could not be provided over the holiday period
Matters to be added to the list
Ron McMahon suggested that nothing be added to the list until outstandings (bridge foot path & seawall repair had been completed. He expressed disappointment at the speed with which projects were completed.
The chairman agreed a feeling of frustration at the time it took to have works completed & that the bridge, & the Seawall were good examples. The position re the bridge had already been explained & he confirmed work had commenced with some drilling for piles & the shifting of the power conduit. The extension piles had been ordered. The seawall was consented & work was scheduled for March next year,
There was nothing further the OBC needed to do for these two projects. Tonkin Taylor had required committee members spending an enormous amount of time dealing with RDC staff but at the end there had been a satisfactory resolution. after overcoming some notable beaurocratic nonsense.
Mayor Webster noted the delays that could be caused by the Resource consent act .It was however evident that there was a considerable depth of feeling at the lack of urgency, the depth of bureaucracy & the failure to see the residents of Omaha Beach or in fact of the Rodney district as entitled to a prompt, effective and expensive service.
OBC had developed a good contact with RDC staff & would seek to maintain this.
Medical services
The need for a better after hours emergency service was raised. The nearest service is presently at Orewa or Wellsford The growing population should be considered. Councillor Powell mentioned that Waitemata Health had been considering establishing an A & E facility in the area & that OBC should follow up with the DHB
Stop sign Meiklejohn way
Lack of care coming out of Meiklejohn way was noted & a stop sign requested for the corner. OBC to follow up.
Seawall
The seawall would be replaced from the road way to the gabions with a sand cement mix. The existing wall contained asbestos. The gabions themselves would be progressively replaced.
Rubbish
Concern was raised at the volume of rubbish being found at the southern end. Construction sites were the likely cause but once the wind had blown the building paper & other wrappings off site it was impossible to identify the source. It was suggested we ask RDC building inspectors to have regard to site tidiness. This was a requirement of the building consent & clearly needed to be more strictly enforced
Omaha Park Development
The importance of OBC maintaining a watch on this development & alerting residents & neighboring organisations on the outcome of the appeal (expected to be heard in the first half of 2008) was stressed. Mark Ching (owner of the property overlooking pink beach) gave some background to the developer. If the project was allowed to proceed it would have an immediate & serious impact on the Omaha Beach settlement by placing a considerable extra load on infrastructure, particularly road access. It would ultimately almost double the volume of traffic across the causeway.
Boat ramp
Concern was expressed at the demand now being placed on the Omaha boat ramp & in particular the lack of room to park cars & trailers. The position would worsen over the summer & it was acknowledged that the ramp was used by a much wider community than Omaha residents. It was suggested the committee discuss alternatives with the council.
This session concluded at 5.30.pm & was followed by an address by John Key.
| | | | | Omaha Beach - Place Name Change [July 2007] | Residents of Omaha received the support of the Rodney District Council at their 26 July Council meeting, to change the name of the peninsula to Omaha Beach.
Proponent Omaha Beach Community, Inc. [OBC] is the society that promotes and safeguards the interests of the property owners at Omaha.
According to the OBC's representative Peter Jackson, the name change will primarily eliminate the inconsistencies naming their wonderful location.
Signage from Warkworth to Omaha either refers to the place as 'Omaha' or 'Omaha Beach'.
Another issue raised by the OBC is that the official description for the place name of Omaha is "defined area of low or nil population".
While Omaha started as a beach resort in 1970, it now numbers some 1300 properties with as many as 200 families now calling it their permanent home.
The approx 350-hectare peninsula boasts a beautiful white sandy beach, clean air, crystal clear waters and uninterrupted gulf and island views.
With support from the Council, the OBC is now set to make its submission to the New Zealand Geographic Board--NZGB--for place name change.
"The support of the Council adds strength to our proposal," Mr. Jackson says.
"The most significant requirement for a submission to the NZGB is that, although not mandatory, submitters are encouraged to undertake consultation and provide documentary evidence accompanying their submissions," Council Geographical Information Services manager Neville Perrie says.
"We have done much of what is required for a NZGB submission," Mr. Jackson says. "We intend to lodge within a month at our own cost."
He says the name change proposal has been widely circulated through the OBC's newsletter and website and was unanimously approved at the Omaha Beach Planning Forum in November 2006.
"Our membership of 1150 allows us to speak for the Members of OBC with a united voice."
Shakespeare wrote, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
But for the members of the Omaha Beach community, renaming the peninsula to Omaha Beach is but appropriate.
[Acknowledgement to Rodney Times] | | | | | Omaha Beach - Application for revised Place Name [May 2007] | | Application has been lodged with Rodney District Council for assistance to change our Place Name to OMAHA BEACH - currently recorded as Omaha. This move has been widely notified to our Membership through our Newsletters and our Website, and was unanimously approved by Members at our Planning Forum held on 18 November 2006. | | | | | Civil Defence FREE Emergency Notification Service [May 2007] | Rodney residents will now have available, notification of civil defence emergencies sent direct to their mobile phones, thanks to a new service provided by the Rodney District Council.
The council's emergency management officer, Chris Laird, says the service will enhance his team’s ability to ensure people have immediate access to timely and consistent information.
Mr Laird says that the messaging service, which will be managed by the emergency management office in terms of content and updating, will be activated only in the event of a Tsunami, an impending localised emergency such as a Cyclone, or when a Civil Defence Emergency is likely to be declared.
The only cost to the subscriber is a one-off 50 cent registration fee which
can be made by texting OPTNRDCD to 2678.
Alternatively registration is FREE by signing a permission form available at Rodney District Council Offices in Orewa, Warkworth, Helensville, and Huapai. | | | | | Estuary Seawall Reconstruction [May 2007] | | Rodney District Council has lodged a Resource Consent to upgrade the seawall on Mangatawhiri Spit, Omaha Beach. The works will include the construction of 395 metres of sand-crete seawalls, placing of 1120 cubic metres of sand on the foreshore, and the planting of indigenous coastal vegetation. The section of the seawall being targetted is at the southern end of a 1.8 kilometre seawall, which runs along the golf course and reserve on the Whangateau Harbour side of the spit. The section is constructed of rip-rap, and fibrolite, and some asbestos. A summary of the application can be viewed on the council website www.rodney.govt.nz or at council offices. [Acknowledgement to Local Matters] | | | | | 80 km per hour Speed Limit [1 July 2006] | | Council has set an 80 km per hour speed limit from the roundabout on Takatu Road to Omaha Beach as of 1st July 2006. The new speed limit runs along Omaha Flats Road to the Point Wells Road intersection and continues along Omaha Flats Road to Broadlands Drive where the 50 km per hour speed limit commences. | | | | | NEW Omaha Beach Community Website [December 2005] | The Omaha Beach Community Inc (OBC) is pleased to announce the launch of its new website.
The new site, www.omaha-beach.org.nz, has been completely redesigned from the ground up to be visually appealing and user-friendly. The upgrade became necessary following our name change and was further encouraged by our desire to publish as much information as possible for OBC members.
The Communications section contains the latest news, events, projects and information on Omaha Beach sports clubs, etc.
The Administration section contains information about our Life Members, Committee, finances, membership and meetings.
The Directory section will be most useful for finding local businesses; everything from trades people to retailers, entertainment and many more. | |
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