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Open-ground indigenous plant trials another string
Dr David Bergin is well underway laying out the second and third open-ground trial sites, at Silverdale, using another mile of string and three of his adult and late-teens children. The site beside Sandspit Road is textbook—imminently accessible and…
Friday breakfast brainstorming topic: Settlements of the future
The suggestion came from Rodney District Council’s urban designer, Andrew Trevelyan: It might be good at some stage to have a round table discussion with the team over a breakfast—topic being, ‘What will our future settlements look like?’ Of course have a very clear...
Open-ground open day that was a milestone
Milestone has become a somewhat devalued word. The open-ground open day at Taupō on Saturday was one of the stages that are termed milestones in the project’s contract with the Sustainable Farming Fund. Some of the milestones are rather…
Warkworth town-centre upgrade submission
The proposed upgrade is a prime opportunity to develop the potential of one of Warkworth’s unique strategic assets—the Mahurangi River—with a cornerstone development at Wharf Street to form the heart of a new riverfront boutique retail precinct…
Their way and the highway bypass
It’s all on for the riverside town. The proposed town centre upgrade and now a proposed district plan change. The council’s explanation is that the proposed plan change comes out of Warkworth’s structure plan and would “maintain the present boutique…
Sitting member to attend small beer breakfast
The convener thought it was only fair to say, when Lockwood Smith’s electorate agent phoned, that the forum was small beer indeed. And that it would be entirely understood if the member of parliament’s priorities precluded his attending the weekly…
Planting day at Sullivans Bay – Think national, act local
Regional councillor Christine Rose said to the writer on her arrival, “I couldn’t resist your email!” …notifying ‘Mahurangi and friends’ of the planting. Neighbouring Mitapronounced: me-tuh Bay is the councillor’s favourite family holiday campsite. With the recent attacks by the district council…
Brainstorming breakfast gets to meet David Hay
The topics discussed at the Mahurangi brainstorming breakfasts are many and varied: governance of the region; restoration of indigenous forest; indigenous forestry; reduction of sediment generation; and the opportunities for Warkworth…