ECB Chair’s Report April 2023

Point Howard slip: The Point Howard Residents Association, led by Allison Gandy, plays a significant role in liaising with Council and Wellington Water and communicating with residents following the significant slip event on 14 March. This demonstrates the importance of active, well-connected resident associations in the Eastern Bays and is a reminder of how vulnerable many areas of Eastbourne residents can be.

The ECB’s Bruce Spedding continues to focus on community resilience and leads an active radio network that can be brought into action if telecommunications are compromised.

Community Engagement Fund: The first round of the 2023 Community Engagement Fund is open for Eastbourne trusts, clubs and societies. Applications must be received by 8 May, and the ECB will announce the successful applicants by 22 June. See huttcity.govt.nz for more information.

Traffic speed reviews: At its February meeting, the ECB endorsed Council’s recommendation for a change to the traffic speed limit between Lowry Bay and Days Bay from 70 to 50km/hour, along with raised pedestrian crossings in Lowry Bay and Point Howard. This was subsequently endorsed by Council’s Infrastructure and Regulatory Committee. Waka Kotahi will make the final decision.

The ECB also endorsed most of the Council’s recommended changes to traffic speeds around Muritai School and Wellesley College. However, we recommended further consultation with residents about the recommended 30km/hour speed limit along Marine Drive in Days Bay because many residents were not aware of the proposal extending so far south, as evidenced by the low number of submissions about the change.

Bird protection areas at Bishop’s Park and Whiorau Reserve: The Board was pleased to see that Tupua Horo Nuku project team modified its plans for the bird protection area in Whiorau Reserve in response to feedback from the ECB, and Lowry Bay and York Bay resident associations. We look forward to an update on the proposed bird protection area at Bishops Park at the April meeting.

Public transport: We continue to monitor Metlink’s changes to Eastbourne’s bus service with frustration. We look forward to an update at the April ECB meeting by Regional Council (originally scheduled for February) about the timetable changes in January, the ongoing cancellations, overcrowding on buses, and when we can expect to see the 85X service reinstated. We are also monitoring discussions following the cancellation of the Seatoun ferry service used by approximately 30 Eastbourne students to get to and from school.

Climate change: The Eastern Bays Climate Response group, led by previous Chair Ginny Horrocks, and supported by the ECB, is hosting, along with the York Bay Residents Association, a screening of Thin Ice on 16 April. There are now 83 residents on the group’s email list.

Parking and cycle lanes: We are pleased to see work on the Maire Street shared pathway completed, along with an improved parking layout outside the Tuatoru Street community hall. Both projects are intended to improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

Communication: One of the Board’s roles is communicating relevant matters, proposals, consultations, and issues with residents. We do this through our Facebook page (679 followers, up from 543 in February), the eastbourne.nz website, our email list (211 subscribers), our regular column in the Eastbourne Herald, and the digital display board at the library.