Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Karekare Residents and Ratepayers Trust held on Sunday 28th January, 2001 at 10.00am at the Karekare Surf Club.

1. Apologies

Apologies: Richard Priest, Kubi Witten-Hannah, Jenny Taylor, Bernard Varaine, Maryse Varaine, Morgan Varaine, Kim Conway, Karel Witten-Hannah (left early), Rebecca Witten-Hannah, Caroline Witten-Hannah, Suzy Butler, Brian Williams, Simon Stoddart, Dave Beck

Guests:
Mayor Bob Harvey
Waitakere City Councilors Penny Hulse and Carolynne Stone;
Waitakere Community Board members Denise Yates and Betty Hanson
Laingholm Community and District Association, Hine Hettema and Andy Williamson

2. Confirmation of Minutes of the AGM held Jan 23, 2000

Mary Gardner pointed out that the KK Management Plan can be updated regularly, as required.

MOVED R. Taylor / K. Ferguson that the minutes be accepted; CARRIED

3. Matters arising from the 2000 AGM

Wasp Trial: Wasp numbers were so low the trial never got off the ground.

4. Chairperson's report (Rob Taylor)

I would like to begin by expressing regret at the death of Cr. Gordon Sunde; although we had our disagreements, he was a conservationist at heart, and a true friend to the Karekare community.

This has been a watershed year for KKRRPT, one in which we have faced many challenges, but through the commitment of our members and the support of the wider community, we have also been very successful. In particular, the new Landcare and website ventures will, I am sure, serve us well in the years ahead. I would like to thank all our members, and our supporters across Waitakere City for the time and effort they have put into protecting and enhancing our environment and community.

Fundraising
The year began with a spectacularly successful Art Auction at Lopdell House, which raised more than enough money to repay the Council loan for the Gribble property now vested in the ARC. The balance of these funds will enable us to develop our own initiatives well into the future.

Thanks again to Dianne Carter, Helga Strewe and Jenny Taylor for organising the auction, and to the artists who gave their work so generously.

We celebrated this achievement memorably over Queen's Birthday weekend, with a dance party on the Saturday night, followed by tree planting on the Sunday. Our thanks to Caroline Witten-Hannah and family, and to Sue Curtling and the Landcare team for organising events that triumphed over bad weather and power cuts!

Subdivision
We successfully opposed the Nixon's Rd subdivision at the Council hearing, and are preparing to support the Council in the developer's appeal to the Environment Court.

Our thanks to all who signed and helped with the petition, and the 31 residents who have applied for standing with the Court in support of the Council's decision to decline the subdivision application. Thanks also to WRPS for their advice and support.

We are also actively involved in the Little Muddy Creek Report process alongside WRPS and the Laingholm R&R group.

WCC liaison
We put a major submission in to the 2000/2001 Annual Plan process, and followed up with appearances before the Council and Community Board. Thanks to a protest led by Ingrid O'Hanlon, we were successful in reinstating Council funding to complete the sealing of LK Rd.

Whilst our relations with most of the Council, its officers and staff are generally very good, we have repeatedly clashed with the Go Waitakere group of councillors, who seem to care only for the interests of a small group of would-be developers and wealthy residents of the city. On the positive side, we have joined forces with other R&R and progressive groups across the city to protect our council representation and ward boundaries, and to force a by-election in the Waitakere ward rather than have another "GoWak" imposed upon us.

Our thanks to all who signed and helped with the petitions and letters required to achieve these goals.

Your committee passed the following motion in December "KKRRT Committee notes with pleasure that Denise Yates is a candidate for the vacant Council position in the Waitakere Ward and expresses its gratitude to her for the work she has done as Community Board chair. We wish her well".

We are also most grateful for the ongoing support and encouragement we receive from Mayor Bob Harvey, Councillors Penny Hulse and Carolynne Stone, and Betty Hanson and Kubi Witten-Hannah, also of the Waitakere Community Board.

Landcare
The KK Landcare group has been very active, organising a working bee each month, distributing information on pest species and their alternatives, and sponsoring such projects as the La Trobe possum initiative (now extended throughout the area, thanks to Caroline Grove and Peter King) and the Four Streams Restoration project led by Mary Gardner.

The latter brings together our concerns for the entire beach environs, as these are the most heavily visited and eroded areas in Karekare. We applied successfully for $4,500 for remedial work at the Waterfall, and the next project will likely be the upgrade or replacement of the toilet block by the beach carpark.

Other planning is underway for protective and/or remedial work around the Watchmans Rd - Union Bay Track pohutukawa, and the banks of the Karekare and Opal Pools streams.

ARC liaison
Parks Ranger Simon Stoddard has been an invaluable source of ideas and energy for Landcare activities and he and the weekly PD team have made a decisive impact on the plant pests of the area. Felling has commenced of the pine belt that stretches from the Ahu Ahu Track to the cutting and, over time, will enable the restoration of native forest and birdlife in the area.
Chief Ranger David Hays paid us a visit before Xmas, and we have benefited from ARC expertise in designing the Waterfall restoration project. We are also liaising with ARC and WCC re film crews at Karekare.

Other Activities
Mary Gardner has led our venture into cyberspace, and we now have a web site that provides information and services to groups across the city.

Shalema Witten-Hannah continued as our representative to the West Coast Plan process; Mary Gardner and Kevin and Vanessa Ferguson have been active on the power supply problems we experienced over the winter and spring.

Thanks to retiring committee members Ella Baker, Sue Curtling and Dave Beck for all their efforts on behalf of KKRRPT over the last four years.

In addition to those already mentioned, I would like to give thanks to the following people and organisations for their service to our community over the last year:

Jenny Taylor, for publishing the Billboard.
The Karekare Surf Club and Fire Party, the Lone Kauri School Committee and the Piha / Karekare First Response Unit

Finally, our appreciation to the Surf Club for their hospitality to us today.

Discussion arising

Ward Boundaries
Penny Hulse said that she and Bob Harvey would be presenting Council's position on the boundary review to the Local Government Review Commission.. They will advocate maintaining the status quo. There are ten objectors. Any change won't impact until the next election. If the worst comes to the worst the issue could be fought again.
There were 400-odd submissions for the status quo and about 20 against.

Power supply problems
Power issues have not been resolved, though improved. Kevin Ferguson informed the meeting about the power fluctuations and low voltages earlier in the year, with voltage down to 185 (from 240) on occasion. That appears to have been remedied, and it's sitting on 230 volts. Not sure what causes it, various explanations have been advanced.

Mary Gardner informed the meeting that a parliamentary commission is looking into the national issues; she has a private protest going, and is currently withholding line charges.

Shalema Witten-Hannah proposed a motion to thank the committee for all its hard work over the past year. Seconded by John Edgar
CARRIED

Dave Munro asked if the power company is liable regarding the fluctuating power? Can they warn us, and are they accountable? Those running businesses here are experiencing computer problems, and with electric pumps etc.

Phil Parks said if pumps go he has suggested people claim on their insurance and no claim has yet been refused. Mary stressed it is important to keep a log of problems and your communications with the power companies.

Denise Yates (Chairperson of the Waitakere Community Board) thanked the committee for its motion of support in the upcoming by-election. In anticipation of her win, there will be a victory party on the evening of March 17, venue to be decided.

5. Financial report (Kevin Ferguson)

Discussion arising

Subdivision
The committee has budgeted $2000 for legal costs, but costs to date have been met from donations from the owners of adjoining properties; several planners and lawyers gave us advice for free.
The Environment court will probably consider the developer's appeal later in the year - we may incur some costs, but the developer and the council will carry the bulk of them.

Rob Taylor suggested the AGM budget funds for the case; over this limit a Special General Meeting should be called to discuss the issue. Otherwise, reserve funds can run Landcare, the website, and be used as seed funding for various community projects.

Use of KKRRT's reserve funds

John Edgar said a proportion should be kept aside for spending on land or big projects in the future, like a hall or cemetery.

Karel Witten-Hannah said he'd hate to see the money frittered on "small stuff" or items the Council or ARC could pay for.

Mary G. pointed out a lot of Council applications require the applicant to prove it already has funds and support, which the Council reimburses or tops up.

Rob T. pointed out we repaid the land loan 15 months early, obtaining a discount of $540, and it was this which was used to get the website up and running. We've had a busy year, but have not had to dip into reserve funds - it's been a profitable year, "which put in their place those Councillors who said Bob Harvey was irresponsible in lending $20,000 to West Coast hippies".

Shalema W-H suggested we try to get money from Council for the website? Hine Hettema said the council is talking about free hosting. Langholm is hosted in the US and it's free, though there are some disadvantages.

Rob T. concerned if the Council hosts the website we might not be able to talk freely about the Council. Bob Harvey said the council would share relevant information, but the 'stroppiness' of this group could cause some problems.

Mary G. said there have been some amazing innovations round the country, for example on the East Coast about 30 computers have been set up at specific locations for four communities to use. There's a telecentre on the Kapiti coast, and communities can book space on it - helpful as for some access to hardware can prove a sticking point.

Auckland City advertises that you can access the Council website for free through Council facilities such as the library.

Rob Taylor asked Bob H. to encourage Telecom to update the Piha exchange, which is one of the oldest in the country. Many people at Karekare telecommute, but we can't get broadband access.

MOVED Rob Taylor / Ingrid O'Hanlon that the financial report be accepted
CARRIED

6. Election of Committee

Nominations received for: Kevin Ferguson, Fran Williams, David Bryant, Philip Parks, Ingrid O'Hanlon, Jacqui Madelin, Ann Robinson, Rob Taylor, Mary Gardner, Kerrie Littlewood

The KK Trust deed stipulates committee to include chair and up to nine others, with possibility of one further member co-opted.
Rob Taylor re-elected as Chairperson.
Rob stressed anyone can come along to committee meetings and get involved; few things are done by vote, most by consensus.
Ann nominated Robin Binsley.
David Bryant introduced himself. He's lived here for four years, and used to come in his teens. He loves being in a community that has a real focus. He lives on La Trobe and is a professional biologist, teaching at AUT.

MOTION Rob Taylor / John Edgar That everyone nominated prior to the meeting be declared elected to the committee, with Robin Binsley co-opted onto it as well.
CARRIED

7. Community Group Reports

7.1 Fire Party (Kevin Ferguson)

It's been a reasonably quiet year again since they locked up the arsonist firefighter on the other side of the Waitakeres. We had 16 calls last year. We continue to get good funding and equipment from council. The Principle rural Fire Officer put in a lot of time and effort into rural fire brigades in the Waitakeres. We've been very lucky with the weather and have had enough rain to keep things under control.

Restricted season December 1 to April 30 every year during which no fires should be lit outside without a permit. Not many permits requested now, people seem to be far more careful. It's been good, last year we had two or three members went to Lone Kauri school and did a session with the kids based on a programme the fire service has developed throughout NZ.

We can get smoke detectors if people need them.

Mary G said if you see illegal fires after hours call the ARC ParksLine after hours number (303-1530) . If you are worried, call 111 and they'll squirt it.

7.2 Surf Life Saving Patrol report (Stephen Pye, President)

From a club perspective membership continues to function appropriately and supplies a service to the beach which is still pretty dangerous. The club is in good health and looking forward a great season once the weather settles down and beach attendance increases. The beach conditions are of some concern and the club, as always, issues a general warning for those who wish to swim outside patrolled hours. There are many holes and channels close to the shore, which pose a danger appearing and disappearing as the tide moves in and out. A lot of the holes are big and close to shore.

Northern Lifeguard Services, our local parent body, is performing well and has, for the first time in many years, established an operating profit. This may lead to a disbursement of funds at the end of this season. They are also providing strong support for club development, training and public relations. Peter James is operating it, and has provided excellent support.

The Karekare club is beginning to work more with the Piha clubs in recruitment and training. A funding grant from the Portage Licensing Trust has enabled the clubs to take on full-time officers to manage public education, recruitment and training programmes. The first event will be a public education day on February 17 at Piha and a schools recruitment programme concluding with training and open day for recruits from west Auckland schools on March 3. It is expected that these events will provide a good source of future membership and skill development.

This Year the club will be making significant new gear purchases, totaling in excess of $50,000, to upgrade the club. These purchases include a new computer, canoe, nipper and junior gear, upgrading of the first aid room and equipment, a new quad bike and mattresses for the bunkroom.

The club is also starting to look at further development of its facilities, to meet the increasing patrolling demands and obligations that it has to surf lifesaving and the local authorities. It would also like to gain further understanding of the type of facilities that would be able to support other organisations and the community so that these can be taken into consideration in its planning.

Karekare has again been recognised for the outstanding contribution that it makes to the protection of the public that uses Karekare beach. It was awarded its fourth National Rescue of the Year award for a rescue last January. It is rare to even win it twice, so his is an outstanding achievement and one that is unmatched by any other Surf Lifesaving club in New Zealand.

Discussion arising

John Edgar thanked the Surf Club for all the work it does. However, he raised the perennial problem of cars on the beach. He feels too many people are coming onto the beach. Surf Club service vehicles are obviously fine, but more and more tracks are appearing and it needs to be kept under control.

Steve P said he has a management policy but gets stretched, however he will certainly address that to ensure controls.

RobTaylor, re fund raising, the Landshare scheme was very successful. The team who put that together put together a fund raising brochure for the surf club to educate the public as to the costs etc, and asking for a donation. What happened to that?

Shalema W-H said she'd passed it onto the committee, but they'd lost it, and she no longer had it on her computer. Jacqui to ask Alan and Julia, who laid it out and are on OE, if there is still a copy of it somewhere.
RobTaylor asked if there are plans to extend the club?

Steve P said plans could involve an extension of land area covered; the surf club is now required to keep three back-up IRVs, fuel etc.

RobTaylor asked if the community would have any opportunity to comment.

Steve P said "I hope so."

Mary G said it was good the three clubs are getting together, but expressed concern ours would lose its flavour.

Steve P confirmed that each club is unique, and the intention is not to change that.

Betty said all the Waitakere Community board, or certainly some of them, is interested in the fact the three clubs are working together, which strengthens what they are working for. When it comes to assistance from council, the community board is behind the surf clubs, which shouldn't hesitate to approach the board.

7.3 School Report (Susie Butler, School Committee Chair - read by David Munro)

Lone Kauri School has had another successful year under the steadfast leadership of Bev Thompson, who continues to inspire our kids. Our little school seems to have settled down to number in the mid-teens, which suits the physical capacity of the buildings ideally.

Oratia School continues to be very supportive with regular visits from their senior staff. (We suspect that these overworked teachers enjoy coming out to our rural retreat as a welcome break from their otherwise strict routine.)

The support of the community is very important to our school. A lot of locals, family and friends attended the end-of-year-concert. This night of Piratical Proportions was rescued from disaster when Warren O'Hanlon arrived with huge tarpaulins to erect over the audience just before the rain poured down. As always it was a memorable community event. We really appreciate the interest and support that the wider local community brings to our annual concert.

We are well under way with preparations for race day so make sure that you all spend your money at the food tent, and don't forget to buy those t-shirts and flags, and lucky dips for the kids.

The school obtained disbursement funds from a childcare centre in Henderson which closed down. That money helped with the netball court, hoops etc.
The school has future plans: one is to have a proper kitchen so staff can make coffee and shut the door from the kids if they need a break.

Discussion arising

Karel W-H said the roll used to be 28, and asked if, at 15, there is any risk of closure.
David said the Demographics look healthy for some years to come. It's not an expensive option, being an established school. It's not necessarily uneconomic, and it's a side school of Oratia, which is a unique situation.

Dorothy Butler said she has had a grandchild there every year since it opened in Kubi's barn, and any effort to close it down has been beaten off by an uprising of concerned parents, and the ministry has backed off.

The building is owned by the KKRRT, the land by Jonathon Hunt, and the Government only owns the equipment, so it doesn't cost the Government more than some salary and equipment. It may still be cheaper to bus the kids into Oratia, but educational choices are required.

The school still needs 28 children to get an extra teacher though the pupils are a wide spread of ages.

7.4 Karekare Shellfish survey (John Edgar)

Our Rahui has now been in place for seven and a half years. We now have a permanent protection under the Fisheries Act (1996) against the taking of all marine live excepting fin fish.

The voluntary ban at Piha, White's Beach and Anawhata is being effective only because residents are spending many hours on the rocks educating the public in conservation.
Maybe we have become complacent at Karekare. It is easy to forget our responsibility to educate the public. We need to work harder at Karekare to ensure our ban is effective.

New pamphlets are available now. Please take a few home and distribute them to people who need to know about this ban. Carry some in your beach bag and hand them out on the beach when necessary.

Last year I reported about the almost complete loss of bull kelp from the rocks. There has been regrowth but it now seems that it could take years for the kelp to get back to its 1997 density. This may be related to rising sea temperatures, and if so, the kelp might never return in such amounts. This has serious implications for the ecology of the rocky reefs, of which the kelp is such an integral part. It appears that there are few scientific studies to throw any light on this matter.

Our annual shellfish survey will take place on 9 February this year. We have that we will not carry out a full photographic survey (which costs $300) but will do a visual survey and take special note of the kelp regrowth and the sand movement, and the orange starfish which predate the mussels.

We should be encouraged by the Labour Government's commitment to establishing more marine reserves. This is something that Karekare and the West Coast communities should be seriously considering. WRPS is actively investigating a marine sanctuary on this coast and we would be pleased for any community involvement.

Thanks to our Shellfish Survey Team, Ann Grace, Miles Hargest, Ann, Donna, and to WCC who support our work and fund the photographic survey. To Karel our HFO and to the surf club who keep an eye on the rocks.

Discussion arising

John was asked if he needs to know instances when people are caught infringing the ban? He said yes, let him know, they need to keep a track of it. Phil Parks has encountered half a dozen occasions when the ban has been infringed, and says the fishermen are worst in terms of litter, and of abuse in terms of nylon and bait bags left, also they say mussels make good bait, which is suspicious.

Karel W-H has been presented with receipts to prove people brought their mussels with them! He has also encountered locals who think they have a right to mussels from here, and encouraged residents to keep the heat on.

Discussion on banning set net fishing, including the concept of a protective zone around the Manukau.

Very few people fish with set nets inshore. What the dolphin people are really pushing for is to stop trawling at four nautical miles out all along this coast which will, in effect, allow for a marine reserve which would be wonderful. Fish numbers would come up.

Mary said to report every dolphin, the more reported, the stronger our case. She will keep the fishing ban people informed.

John E said commercial fishers are voluntarily keeping off the Manukau mouth.

The Fur seal colony at Mercer bay was populated all through the summer.

7.5 West Coast Plan

Shalema W-H said four or five years ago the West Coast Plan process started. It's like our management plan, but covers the whole West Coast.

The draft document came out a while back. Karekare had three well attended meetings and nine submissions from the area.

Another draft with feedback from WCP meetings every six to eight weeks is nearly finished. The document is looking great and there are a few meetings left. The document will be out by March. Lots of actions need implementing, some by locals, some by Council. Meetings of the WCP group are open to everyone and the group will continue to help areas fulfill actions outlined in the plan.

This year Council put together a draft tourism strategy to help council make decisions to market the West Coast as a visitor destination, and how to look after visitors. Draft reports are out, we had an opportunity to get together and talk with the person who is writing it. Her brief was to market the West Coast as a destination. We argued that there's very little money to be made marketing the West Coast and the number of jobs required don't warrant the damage. It's better to make it a visitor management strategy.

The draft is interesting, it's a mix of really good stuff but the general feeling is they're selling it as a destination with a controlled visitor experience, which will result in the loss of the sense of discovery. We took their draft and made our own, and presented them with it. We said theirs is not in line with the West Coast plan.

Council didn't agree to get rid of the objective of marketing, though there was some shift in opinion. The two drafts will go out together for consultation, though if there's not enough money the whole thing could be shelved.

When documents do come out it is very important to put in heaps of submissions to avoid the marketing focus. I'd like to see something in our management plan on our stance on Tourism.

Karel W-H said Milford had 30 tourist buses the other day. That would kill the atmosphere of Piha and Karekare which is so valuable. We are so close to Auckland, yet it brings very little value, the people won't stay here, we'll have to foot the bill for the facilities yet the people will stay in town. The area should be for visitors from Auckland, not overseas.

Penny Hulse thanked Shalema and Kubi for the draft and said Council is facing pressure from local and regional tourism operators. Regional operators are selling the West Coast. There are videos on Air NZ selling Piha and Karekare regardless of what Waitakere does. Council needs to keep strongly hearing the locals' concern that Piha, Karekare and Bethells shouldn't be sold as a destination. We need to work out how to manage the process to retain the special feeling.

Betty Hanson- this tourist marketing is of great concern, and I congratulate Karekare on its contribution to the debate. We don't want to stop people coming out, just ensure we soften the impact

Mary G. - Tourism NZ is a big promoter of this beach. The committee is in touch with the Wellington office, and have invited them to a meeting; someone is to show up early in the year.

Bob H. - image of the Piano is the Tourism Board's international promotion - it put 25 million dollars in to use the beach as an icon image. A plus for us is our inaccessibility, Karekare and Anawhata. Piha is of greater concern. I think Council will move away from development of hotels etc. out here, as it won't work. I think we should draw attention to vineyards, focus on film making, boat building, Arataki etc; why not. One million people go there and say where to now, that question is what we should manage.

Hine Hettema - We should focus on the quality of jobs, ie boat building, film making etc involve skilled jobs

Rob T - I forgot to mention in my report that we've been working on the film permit issue, on having Council keep us informed; Phil and Mary are getting into the loop. We've approached film companies, and their people are astonished the fee doesn't go back to the community.

Denise Yates - we don't have to market Karekare to get people to come. When the area appears in the paper, visitor traffic increases.

RobTaylor - It's only an accident of geography - our roads - which slows development.

7.6 First Response

First Response is going well, at Karekare, with four members and ten call-outs here.
The defibrilator is at the Surf Club in the summer, and Witten-Hannah's in the winter. The call-out system is not reliable, the ambulance control is meant to call if 111 is rung, but mostly locals call directly if pain relief, a stretcher etc is needed. If you do need to call 111 tell them to contact First Response. First Response is looking at getting pagers once the radio transmission set-up is upgraded.

Discussion arising

John Edgar said he recently had to call First Response, it was quick, efficient and a relief to know they are there.

First Response is trained once a month, and St Johns restocks equipment. A bank supplied the defibrilator.

How many calls are car accidents? Last year one, Roger Kerr's. That's the only one the Fire Party was called to. It depends on the time of day as to who is called. Piha has more call-outs.

Discussion on the fact injuries occur more often on the Piha road; Karekare road accidents are generally slower. Ingrid O'H is talking to Neil Prenderville about more warning signs, ie change down, keep left.

7.7 Landcare report (Mary Gardner)

This past year our investigations into the local ecology at Karekare turned up a lot about alien life forms, both plant and animal. We made a stab in some directions, with support from WCC and ARC. It's all about long term defensive and we are continuing action into 2001.
Free advice for landowners is available from Dianne (167) or Sherryn (801).

Free plants, up to 200 of them, herbicide vouchers, contractor rebates, fencing and convenanting help and free bags for disposal of ginger are available from the Green Network, WCC at 839 0400.

Free alien ID kits in full colour and with gory details are available from ARC on 0800 80 60 40.

Vigilante Gardening! Popular all-out community attacks on local plant villains in the past year are a part of long term strategy to thwart all take-over attempts. Includes preventative plantings of hardy natives.

Days are the first Sunday of the month at 9:30 am, with the Thursday after as a rain date. Meet at the beach car park, and bring tools. Refreshments provided by ARC. The schedule for the next few months includes Agapanthus, Pampas, Pea plant and Bill's park.

Frontline defenses against possums and rats; stirling efforts by La Trobe have inspired further action in other neighbourhoods. Free bait stations, bait and advice are available from ARC for continued pest control on private land. For info, gear and maps call Caroline (760).

The banks of the waterfall pool are eroding - erosion control, weeding and planting from the waters edge to the roadside will begin soon as part of the Four Streams Project. Some $4,500 has been raised from the Community Board to make this happen. More info from Mary (550).

ARC rangers are on the hunt for native seeds to promote the spread of natives.

Discussion arising

ARC treats Landcare with respect, it's a national organisation.

Bob H raised the question of a man releasing parakeets; Phil P said they are Kakariki, green with a red head? They are natives which have been released. If anyone sees, or knows, the man who released him, ask him to inform Landcare of such releases.

MOVED Mary G / Mike Nixon that we thank Ngaire Sullivan for all her work above and beyond the call of duty.
CARRIED

7.8 Website (Mary Gardner)

The site is becoming an important part of the communications network in Waitakere CityJust over 4,000 hits in first few months, readers from round the world, no 'promo pictures' of beach.

Site costs approx $500 and about 300 hours voluntary work per annum (would be about $10,000) to maintain at current standard.

Newspapers throughout region look to site for news tips.

Meeting of all citizens' groups in Nov 00 led to opening up the city's e-govt strategy planning to include community representatives in 2001 rather than 2004 as council originally planned.

Virtual community hall opened in Dec 00 & both WCC & ARC are appointing staff to watch certain topics. This means that the hall can be used for better feedback & action throughout the city

SUGGESTED GOALS FOR 2001:
A major revamp of site is planned; will include monthly local gardening tips & "KK café culture" - local recipes & beverages ideas; further strengthen virtual community hall; further develop pages for youth and children ; take on any other recommendations from AGM

The site could become self financing, by, for example:
putting up a page asking for donations (these are tax-deductible). All donations to be acknowledged, either as anonomyous or by name; all names, regardless of size of contribution, will be presented in same size and font; and by creating a policy for paid adverts, all adverts on a separate page, specifications for ads set out & a price list for different options made public.

Discussion arising

Mary said we don't use a free site as we can use forms, and other items not available via free sites.

Local business sets up facilities for free, and charges community groups very little. Etc. A free site involves ads we don't want.

Perhaps the web care could eventually be recognised as a local part-time job. That would be years down the track.

Visitors from Laingholm said they are really pleased with this web developement. We're ahead of the council's thinking and can set the agenda.
Another benefit; on line publication of the Little Muddy Creek report, which otherwise you have to pay $200 for from council. With the website we can distribute, free, a report they'd suppressed.

Mike Nixon said he's donating the address karekare.com was to the community.
Applause and thanks to Mike.

Kevin F. queried site costs, the 300 hours was needed to set it up. That time was provided free of charge.

MOVED Mary G / Mike Nixon that the new committee develops a self-financing policy for the KKRRPT website, and we run the year as an experiment to see whole well these things run, also that committee approaches council for funds.
CARRIED

8. Subdivision Appeal

Rob T.wants guidance from the AGM, should the committee carry on hiring specialists etc as required, or should the AGM cap spending, after which point a special general meeting would be required?
Phil P suggested $5000 as a ceiling. Clearly we'd fund raise if things got to that, but we might need a bridging fund.

MOVED Phil Parks / Shalema W-H: That the committee can spend up to $5000 total per annum on fighting the land subdivision issue, beyond which we need to call a Special General Meeting.
CARRIED

Discussion on other possibilities; mediation? Stressed this isn't a personal issue, we are against subdivision in principle, not just against this particular subdivision.

9. Update of Karekare Community Management Plan (1988)

Our first management plan was a first for the country, but no process was set up as to how to change it, and keep updates building on the original plan.

It's been 12 years since first adopted. The proposal is that amendments can be proposed annually so it's a living, breathing plan which can change to changing circumstances and be kept before the Council.

There are a lot of changes, has been a lot of consultation and discussion point by point.
This time a decision was made to encourage written amendments to be submitted prior to the meeting to focus discussion at the AGM, which is the prime policy formation body of the Trust.

Three people put in amendments. It was proposed that the meeting go through each one at a time, resolve it, and end up with a 2001 KK Management Plan.
Consideration of Caroline Grove's amendments
In Part four, no. 20, re Landcare, she suggests we add 'and education' to conservation activities and change the grammar to reflect the fact its been formed. Also suggests we add enhancement of habitat and remove Pohutakawa Glade / dunes to make it more general.

21f, she suggests to make it general by removing glade and beach areas, and replacing with 'in the area'

Part 5, 22e, she suggests we add 'this does not release council or property owners from removal, by spraying or otherwise, of invasive or environmental weeds'.

Part 27, she suggests all power lines be put underground, removing mention of where they are.

She would like to delete recommendation 35.

Discussion, remove the specific mention of the land, the last sentence? Discussion on land swap policies, the suggestion, and why the location was being specified.

MOTION Shalema / Dave Munro: That the status quo on 35 be retained, but Caroline's other suggestions be adopted as above.
CARRIED (1 against)

Bob H said the council building programme would include consideration of a community hall, which could be part of the Surf Club.

Point 36, Caroline G. wants it deleted, it never went away. Shalema suggested delete 36 and add horses in with the provision for pets.

In the past horse recreation was well controlled as the group knew the rules, the times to use the beach, to bury dung etc. The intention of point 36 was a livelier horse riding community could welcome and inform new members. There is a KK Horse Riding Club, and any approach to council could be through the committee.

MOTION to delete 36, and add under pets that guidelines for horse use in public areas be set up and made available to local horse riders.
CARRIED

Consideration of Shalema's amendments
Re page 2: the old district scheme was supported; suggest we add a statement which clearly says the community declares the area is unsuitable for subdivision. Also include the figures showing projected population if all the lots now here are built on and lived in.

MOVED Shalema / Rob T. that subdivision wording be changed, to say that the figures showing the projected population of Karekare if all the lots allowed for under the current district plan are built on and lived in are put in the Management Plan along with a clear statement that the community of Karekare considers the area unsuitable for further non-complying subdivision.
CARRIED

We note with concern we could have a population of 1100 based on the current rules.

Part II, no. 11, Shalema suggested recommendation be altered to read "the community at Karekare supports investigations into ways to improve the coordinated management and protection of the Waitakere Ranges in its entirety, eg National Heritage protection, regional plan, unitary authority, marine reserve"
OR:
" That on behalf of the community at KK the KKRRT supports any investigations into ways to improve the coordinated management and protection of the Waitakere Ranges eg national heritage protection, regional, plan, unitary authority, marine reserve."

Discussion on wording, concern this motion doesn't underline the importance of considering the issue on a national level

MOTION amended (Shalema / John E.)to read "That national protection of the Waitakere ranges in its entirety be supported in principal, subject to further investigation."
CARRIED

Page 3, no. 13, Shalema suggested removal. After discussion,
MOTION to change 13 to say " That a person in the community be appointed to monitor on a fortnightly basis local notified resource consent applications and etc."
John Edgar seconded
CARRIED

Page 5, point 19 list upper and lower Lone Kauri separately so there are eight neighbourhoods, separation from around Rob Overall's where it changes from farm to bush.
Seconded Dave Bryant
CARRIED

Provision for pets, add that the community actively discourages the keeping of mustelids.
Seconded Kevin F.
CARRIED

Shalema suggested that guidelines or regulations concerning horses in public areas are established or made clear, and that this information is made readily available to horse riders living in and visiting the area.

Discussion on the club, status of such and so on; agreed that this issue should be resolved through committee, ie by horse club suggesting a code of practice, and the committee, as a neutral party, discussing and confirming the code of practice.

West coast plan, Motion that the Karekare Community supports the monitoring and the implementation of the West Coast plan.
Discussion, the plan isn't out yet? Continued liaison?

MOTION The KKRRT supports WC plan process and looks forward to its eventual implementation
Seconded Mike Nixon
CARRIED

Shalmea said we should add a statement that we are against Karekare becoming a tourist destination, and maybe write a section against tourism. The council should be discouraged from viewing the West Coast as an economic resource to be exploited.
Mary G. suggests that under planning values we add that the community welcomes visitors, discourages large scale tourism development, and wants to have input as to visitor management.

AMENDED TO
KKRRT welcomes visitors and wants the support of all relevant authorities to manage visitor impacts.
Dave Bryant seconded
CARRIED

MOVED Rob Taylor / Bob Harvey: That the draft Karekare Management Plan, as amended at this meeting, be adopted and published.
CARRIED

10. General business

Kevin F: Where's our copy of the District Plan?
Phil knows where it is. Rob said the KKRRT chairperson should look after it and keep a record of who borrows it.

Bob Harvey - on behalf of council, Penny, Betty and Caroline thanked Karekare for the community support on eco sustainability, and congratulated us on not being divided on those matters that are really important. He then plugged his new book.

Rob Taylor noted with satisfaction that most decisions had been consensual and unanimous.

Meeting closed at 2:05 pm