>Community Update 30 March 2011
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wednesday MARCH 30, 2011
There is a FREE BUS SERVICE departing from Redcliff’s New World carpark at 9am and 12noon each day Tuesday to Saturday inclusive. This is an extension to the service already running from Lyttelton via St Martin’s New World to Halswell New World. Time is given at Halswell for shopping, besides New World, and returns to Redcliffs. Some of our people travelling take the opportunity to travel on our morning service, visit family/friends, etc and return on our afternoon run, but any travellers must advise our driver of their intentions.
We do not wish to upset anyone by taking people away from their own business areas, but simply offering a service to enable people to travel to a ‘one stop’ shopping place. We would like to establish a pick up point near your centre and would welcome any suggestion that you may like to offer.
We would appreciate any publicity that you could give to your members/families/friends, etc re this service as feel it may be benefical to people in your area. It is intended to maintain this service for at least 3 months.
Don Ross
Ph: 03 328 8793
Flames Restaurant
Grace of Flames Restaurant would like to let you know that they are re-opening on Friday 1st April.
Grace says: We will serve coffee and food all day during a day and dinner from 5pm starting on Friday. Our restaurant has got a green sticker so it is safe but the menu will be small to start with. But we are serving great coffee and cakes and awesome lunch and Italian dinner at night. Our address is 2 Soleares Ave, Ph. 384 1309
Anxiety Support Canterbury
ASC is trying to rebuild its contacts and distribution lists, having lost everything in the February 22nd ‘quake. Ian Johnson, Manager of ASC says:
We are a registered charitable trust and we work closely with others in the NGO sector, including Mental Health Education Centre, Bipolar Support, Depression Support Network, Psychiatric Consumers Trust Comcare and with the CDHB’s Anxiety Disorders Unit.
For full details of what we can offer people afflicted with anxiety at this important time please log onto our website : – www.anxietysupport.org.nz where you will see a full description of who we are and what we do.
Our ways of working are about to undergo some change to accommodate the realities on the ground in this broken city and these changes will be progressively reflected in updates on our site. We also need to rebuild systems, process, template and resources in some instances. Meantime our knowledge and expertise, our crucial relationships and our website remains unscathed by any natural disaster. We are about to relocate with two other agencies to an address in Selwyn St. We expect to be using this as a base from which to work remotely.
Having looked at our site, if you have any questions or feel that we can offer support to you or your client group please contact me at: – manager@anxietysupport.org.nz. A copy of your email will automatically forward to this emergency email address.
email: – manager@anxietysupport.org.nz
phone: – 021 157 3010
Barefoot Home Energy Checks
Many households in Mt Pleasant could struggle to stay warm this winter partly due to a challenging combination of earthquake damage and the fragililty of the electricity lines network in the east side of the city. The Home Energy Advice Centre (www.energyadvice.org.nz) is dedicated to helping people to learn about, and make good decisions about making their homes warm, comfortable and energy efficient. We like to walk our talk too, so we’re coming to Mt Pleasant offering Barefoot Home Energy Checks.
Making your home warm, comfortable and healthy doesn’t have to be a mysterious, expensive process that only a few people have expertise in. A Barefoot Home Energy Check offers a unique, innovative, and fun way to learn about how your house uses energy, and what you can do to trim your energy bills or make your home more comfortable and healthier. For free. All you have to do is find two or three other people who want to learn how to check their own homes, and organise a time for them to come to your house for a couple of hours to learn how to conduct a Barefoot Home Energy Check. They could be your friends, family, or neighbours. Yup, folks, if you haven’t guessed already, we’re selling home energy advice, using the tried and true Tupperware model!
Guided by an experienced, knowledgeable home energy advisor from the Home Energy Advice Centre, you and your guests will learn together how to check a whole range of home energy issues in a real house – your house. It’s “hands on learning” for “hands on people”, and the advice is tailored specifically to your circumstances. A report is generated on the spot which outlines a list of prioritised actions which will improve the energy efficiency of your home. The whole process takes about two hours. Your guests are then equipped with an instruction manual and a home energy check report form to use in their own home.
The Home Energy Advice Centre can also provide on-going support for you and your friends through our free phone service on 0800 388 588. And all of this is FREE. We are offering 10 Barefoot Home Energy Checks for Mt Pleasant householders – first in, first served. To book a Barefoot Home Energy Check, call 0800 388 588.
South Island Transition Towns Regional Gathering Timaru 2& 3 April 2011
Transition Timaru are coordinating a regional gathering for transition groups in the South Island. Our plans had initially been on hold with the acute response to the Christchurch earthquake, but we feel that now more than ever there is a need for us to get together, think about the future, and to have some fun. The program is: -
9.30am Saturday – welcome & morning tea, West End Hall, Timaru. -
Costs – Registration (to cover Venue hire & refreshments) $10
We would appreciate registration as soon as possible in order to be able to plan accomodation and catering. To register please return the registration form with payment (cheques payable to Transition Timaru) to:
Transition Timaru, C/O Bob Calkin, 101 King Street, Timaru, Tel: 03 686 9367, racalkin@xtra.co.nz
REPEATED BUT RELEVANT MESSAGES
Pop Up Farmers Market
The very successful Pop Up Farmers Market will be continuing at Mt Pleasant every Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Community Centre car park. For stall inquiries contact Tom Davies, 03 384 4390 or 027 600 7779.
Need Council Assistance?
The 24/7 Council contact number for all types of assistance is 941 8999
Recovery Assistance Centre – Mt Pleasant
A Recovery Assistance Centre has now opened in Mt Pleasant. It is based at Mt Pleasant Yacht Club. Housing NZ, WINZ and Red Cross have a presence there and also Council and Civil Defence. People can contact the centre for any type of welfare support including employers and sole trader subsidy and job loss cover for employees.
Free Fitness Fit Circuit Classes – McCormacks Bay Reserve
Suitable for all fitness levels – Mon, Wed, Friday 10.00am to 11.00am Cancelled if wet. Donation to Red Cross. Heidi 0274942667
Quake photos – Mt Pleasant History
Although we would all like to forget the events of 4 September and 22 February, for the purposes of recording Mt Pleasant history we would really like to receive any interesting photos of earthquake damage to the Mt Pleasant area that you may have. We will publish these on our web site. Please send photos to chair@mpcc.org.nz Additionally, one of our committee members who is professional writer is recording the social effects, both good and bad, the quake is having on our community. If you would like to let her know about something you think we should record please contact Susan Kornfeld susan@perspective.com, 376-5413
>Update March 26 2011
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Portaloo Distribution
Civil Defence would like advice from residents on the current distribution of the portaloos throughout Mt Pleasant. If you know of instances where the toilets are not being used and/or where they could be better utilised please contact ian.Wilson@dia.govt.nz . As there are serious pumping issues with our sewage system east of the Ferrymead bridge residents are being asked to use the portaloos provided wherever possible. Currently our raw sewage is flowing into the estuary.
Help needed to clear our cycle paths
Sunday 27 March. Help needed for sweeping cycle lanes between Sumner and Ferry Bridge. Meet Tom at Coffee Culture Sumner at 9 a.m. or Pam at Ferrymead Bridge also at 9 a.m. Come with broom and bright clothing.
Thank You
Pam Vickers
>Community Update 21 March 2011
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Community Update 21 March 2011
Portable toilet distribution update
The distribution of 300 portable toilets started yesterday (Sunday) in the suburbs east of Ferrymead Bridge including Mt Pleasant, St Andrews Hill, Balmoral Hill, Monks Spur, Monks Bay, Redcliffs, Clifton, Richmond Hill, Sumner, Scarborough, Taylors Mistake, Heathcote Valley, Ferrymead, Hillsborough, Huntsbury and Bromley. Distribution is expected to be completed later this week. It is important that residents use these portable toilets, even if they have running water, because a break in the main at Ferrymead Bridge means sewage from these areas is going into the Estuary.
More information about the distribution of toilets will be sent out later this week.
Lisa Goodman
Democracy Services Manager
Democracy Services Unit
Mobile: 0274 382 935 Email: lisa.goodman@ccc.govt.nz Web: www.ccc.govt.nz http://www.ccc.govt.nz/ Christchurch City Council
Community Dinner and Get-Together
This Sunday (27 March) there will be a Community Shared Dinner and Get-Together at the Mt Pleasant Community Centre. All Mt Pleasant residents and any lost friends are invited. The event starts at 5.00pm with dinner commencing about 6.00pm. Bring along a dish of food to share and your favourite drink. (Sorry, you will need to bring your own cutlery and glassware too).The Swap meet group, who will be meeting from 4pm to 5pm in the courtyard, will be staying on to join us and are offering us their Ukulele group for entertainment. Anyone else musical is welcome to bring along their instruments to entertain. For further info email chair@mpcc.org.nz
Mt Pleasant Swap Meet
The Mt Pleasant Swap meet is reconvening this Sunday 27th March at the different time of 4pm to 5pm. This will enable those who want to stay on for the Community Dinner to do so without a break. What happens at a Swap meet? No money is exchanged; you simply bring along your surplus produce or baked goods, jams, chutneys and swap your goodies for those you don’t have. The purpose of a Swap meet is to build community resilience and sustainability. Everybody is welcome. Bring bags, boxes or carts to take stuff home in. With many neighbours having temporarily moved, many gardens are going to waste – perhaps if you don’t have produce yourself your neighbours may be happy for you to swap theirs? Contact jyc@caverock.net.nz for more info.
Pop Up Farmers Market
The Pop Up Farmers Market is back on this weekend Saturday 26 10.00am to 1.00pm at the Community Centre car park. For stall inquiries contact Tom Davies, 03 384 4390 or 027 600 7779.
Quake photos – Mt Pleasant History
Although we would all like to forget the events of 4 September and 22 February, for the purposes of recording Mt Pleasant history we would really like to receive any interesting photos of earthquake damage to the Mt Pleasant area that you may have. We will publish these on our web site. Please send photos to chair@mpcc.org.nz
Join your Community web site
On the lower right-hand side of the web site www.mpcc.org.nz is a little blue bar which says, ‘Join this site’ if you click on this it will ask you to join by either using either your existing Google, Twitter or Yahoo account. If you don’t have one of these accounts you can create a Google account to join. When you first sign in it gives you the option to receive the Mt Pleasant newsletter, chose this option if you want to receive our Community’s newsletter.
>Mt Pleasant Community Update March 16 2011
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Handy Numbers and sites
GOVT HELP LINE: 0800 77 999 7
www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
cdpublicinfo@ccc.govt.nz EQC: 0800 326 243
Electricity Use
The electricity network in the Eastern and Southern suburbs of Christchurch is fragile and your efforts to use less electricity in those areas will help keep power on. Wherever possible, avoid turning on more than one or two appliances at one – e.g. use your toaster, then your stove element, not both at once. Do not use or turn off: air conditioning for cooling, beer fridge, dishwasher (hand wash dishes instead of using dishwasher), hot wash on washing machine, heated towel rail, spa pool, water blaster.
MCormacks Bay
Due to the recent earthquake damage, heavy vehicles will be required to access Sumner, Redcliffs and the surrounding areas, to carry out demolition work and remove rubble, silt, and building materials.
The central culvert on the McCormacks Bay causeway currently has a weight restriction that prevents heavy vehicle traffic from using the bridge for safety reasons. Therefore a heavy vehicle bypass around McCormacks Bay Road will be necessary for a minimum period of two months to cater for these vehicles. We apologise for any inconvenience to residents during this time. If you have any questions please contact Civil Defence Call Centre 03941 8999.
A second round of Community Briefings – there is not a specific Mt Pleasant one scheduled but you can attend any of the other meetings – those closest to Mt Pleasant are:
Monday 21 march 3.30pm to 5.00pm Bromley Park Linwood (off McGregors Road)
6.00pm to 7.30pm Woolston Park (on Ferry Road)
Friday 25 march 3.30pm to 5.00pm Redcliffs - Barnett Park (off Main road)
6.00pm to 7.30 pm Sumner School grounds (off Colenso Street)
• Hear the latest news followed by the chance to ask questions one-on-one.
• The briefing closest to you will be the most useful for you, however there will be relevant information at all of the briefings.
• These are open-air briefings so dress for the weather and bring a seat.
• There may not be toilet facilities at the briefings.
Visit www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz or phone (03) 941 89
Pop Up Farmers Market
The Pop Up Farmers Market is back on this weekend Saturday 19 March 10.00am to 1.00pm. For stall inquiries contact Tom Davies, 03 384 4390 or 027 600 7779.
Composting Toilets
If you have an interest in purchasing a composting toilet contact guyhowat@yahoo.com
Below – seen on a fence in St Martins:
Recovery Assistance Centre – Mt Pleasant
A Recovery Assistance Centre has opened in Mt Pleasant. It is based at Mt Pleasant Yacht Club. Housing NZ, WINZ and Red Cross have a presence there and also Council and Civil Defence.
Information exchange
If you have any information of general importance or interest to the community which you would like to pass on please email chair@mpcc.org.nz
Join your Community web site
On the lower right-hand side of the web site www.mpcc.org.nz is a little blue bar which says, ‘Join this site’ if you click on this it will ask you to join by either using either your existing Google, Twitter or Yahoo account. If you don’t have one of these accounts you can create a Google account to join. When you first sign in it gives you the option to receive the Mt Pleasant newsletter, chose this option if you want to receive our Community’s newsletter.
Best wishes
Mt Pleasant Residents Assn. Committee
End
>Update Wednesday 9 March
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How to join the Mt Pleasant Community Web site
On the lower right-hand side of the web site mpcc.org.nz is a little blue bar which says, ‘Join this site’ if you click on this it will ask you to join by either using either your existing Google, Twitter or Yahoo account. If you don’t have one of these accounts you can create a Google account to join. When you first sign in it gives you the option to receive the Mt Pleasant newsletter, chose this option if you want to receive our Community’s newsletter.
Help Needed
Please help clean up the Centre. There is liquefaction at the back of the centre which needs clearing in order for the pre-school to be able to open. If you can spare half an hour and have a wheelbarrow could you please move the liquefaction to the edge of the road where Council will pick it up?
Recovery Assistance Centre – Mt Pleasant
A Recovery Assistance Centre has now opened today in Mt Pleasant. It is based at Mt Pleasant Yacht Club. Housing NZ, WINZ and Red Cross have a presence there and also Council and Civil Defence.
Transport
As we have lost our hill bus services this has left bus users having to walk to Ferrymead or Linwood to pick up a bus. If you live high on Mt Pleasant Road and are a regular commuter to town in the morning willing to give one or two others a ride into town please email chair@mpcc.org.nz
Westpac Bank
Westpac has advised us that it has a mobile banking service operating outside of the Ferrymead branch. This team is restricted in what they can do for customers, however, they are able to complete the following:
· Open and amend accounts
· Loan PIN to cards ( EFTPOS )
· take cheque deposits only ( no cash transactions )
· Answer general enquiries and arrange appointments for any lending enquiries
· Provide full details of the Westpac Earthquake relief packages available to our customers
· The ATM machine is up and running
Fire Trucks
Please be mindful of parking on narrow stretches of road that fire trucks need to get up and down our streets regularly.
If NZ Post cannot currently deliver to your house try:1. Pick up 455 St Asaph Street ( near Phillips Street corner ) between 9.00 am – 1.00 pm week days with photo ID.2.Can get a free re-direct to another address in Christchurch for a short interim
FERRYMEAD BRIDGE – TEMPORARY CLOSURE
The Ferrymead road bridge will be closed from 8pm for 15 to 20 minutes on Wednesday 9 March.
The bridge closure is to enable a crane to be moved from a work area adjacent to the bridge.
The alternative route between St Andrews Hill and the city through the Heathcote Valley will be available.
Metro Place
The Council Refuse Transfer Station at Metro Place, Bromley will re-open to the public from Wednesday 9 March, 7.00am – 4.30pm.
The public should be aware that due to restricted traffic flows on-site, some delays are likely.
The cost of disposal for clean bricks and rubble,(separated from other rubbish and material) is at the reduced rate of $25 per tonne – please retain your receipt for insurance purposes.
Normal rates apply for other refuse.
Farmers Market
The highly successful Mt Pleasant Pop Up Farmers Market will be at the Community Centre carpark again this Saturday10.00am to 1.00pm. Coffee, Fruit and Veg, Pies, Bread, Fish and more.
Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean would like customers to know it is opened for lunch and dinner daily. Since many homes have no electric or water, they suggest a good Indian curry would be the solution – all food are authentic, delicious and cheap. Please ringIndian Ocean at 384-7000.
Summary of Monday’s Earthquake Briefing
Below are some notes taken of Monday’s earthquake meeting – these notes in no way represent all of what was said on the day.
Mayor Bob Parker
Addressed the meeting and spoke about his admiration for the resilience of the people of the area. He mentioned that the Sept 4 earthquake had produced 35,000 tonnes of liquefied sand to be shifted but already this time round 200,000 has been moved.
o The 24/7 number for Council services is 941 8999
The Police Area Commander spoke advising that there were 300 more police officers in Christchurch due to the quake with an extra 200 Australian officers posted here. There were currently five more patrols of Christchurch than usual and that the police helicopter had been employed in the city since last Friday. Although the presence of the helicopter was annoying to some residents it was helping the police apprehend people committing crime.
The NZ Fire Service
Kerry Gregory of the Fire Service spoke and reassured residents that the capacity of the fire service was still as could as ever.
Water
82% of the city now has water however we must remain vigilant about boiling drinking water.
Welfare
MSD’s Sue Rissman the Regional Commissioner advised the nearest Recovery Assistance Centres were Linwood andNew Brighton. (Mt Pleasant now has its own see above). The only Welfare Centre was now Pioneer Stadium. People can contact these centres for any type of welfare support including employers and sole trader subsidy and job loss cover for employees.
Civil Defence
Peter Cameron the National Controller spoke for a few minutes. He advised that the Civil Defence situation that we are in will last a few more weeks.
Orion
Taz from Orion spoke and advise that there were places in Clifton, Beachville Road and parts of Mt Pleasant where the repair work to cables was very difficult and would a couple more days to repair. The Electrical Contractors Assn. is offering free advice 0800 506688 to anyone needing it.
Medical Officer of Health
Alistair Humphreys advised the city was doing very well to avoid a major infectious disease outbreak and that this had been achieved because people were very vigilant about handwashing in all situations. He stressed the need to continue to boil drinking water and if this was not possible to had a tsp of bleach to 10 litres of water.
Geotech Issues
The person who spoke to this issue said that there were 25-30 geologists and geo technical people working on the hills currently to assess lifelines, life and limbs safety issues. They were looking at the broad picture issues and were unable to comment on individual house or retaining wall situations.
To find out what the process is to have a red sticker removed from a house see canterburyearthquake.org.nz
Please print off this newsletter and give it to a neighbour in order for us to build our community network.
>Update Sunday 6 March
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A community briefing by the Mayor is happening this Monday, 7 March at McCormacks Bay Reserve (Eastern side of the reserve) 12.30pm see http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/ For the elderly or anyone who has difficulty standing for very long please take a deck chair.
3. Lost cat
We have lost our cat Maisey from Mt Pleasant Road.
She’s a tortoise-shell plump domestic short haired cat, white neck and paws and her name is Maisey. Some pictures of her are here in this ad.
http://www.petsonthenet.co.nz/ads/index.php?a=2&b=48294 Please contact Bridget, Mark and Lucia De Goldi 0275 541 348
4. Relief Centre St Andrews Church Redcliffs has now opened a relief centre. it is open 1pm to 4pm 7 days at present. Information, Tea and coffee, chat comfort etc and referral to appropriate agencies etc.St Andrews Church Redcliffs 148 Mani Road Redcliffs
5. For anyone needing accomodation the Sumner Bay Motels has this message:
We would just like to advise that we have now just had water restored today to the motels, along with the power earlier in the week.
Therefore we are now back fully operational for guests, especially anyone that is in dire need of long term accommodation.
If you could please pass this information on to anyone who may be in need of accommodation, we would like to hear from them.
Thanks kindly
Brent Marriott, Sumner Bay Motel, 26 Marriner Street, Sumner,Christchurch, phone: ++64 3 326 5969
7. Join the Mt Pleasant Community web site
The Association would like to build its email base through its web site rather than direct emails so in order for us to do this we now need you to join on the web site and get your friends and neighbours to as well. http://mpcc.org.nz/ This is free to do and will make communication easier once we have people joined.
Good luck with everything and lets hope that’s after shocks abate today.
>Community Concert 6 March
>
This Sunday, 6 March at 5.30pm at the Mt Pleasant Community Centre, Mc Cormacks Bay. Starring Rob Innes singing classic hits from 60′s, 70′s and 80′s. Our community hall has been checked today by Opus engineers and has been cleared as safe so let’s join as a community and have a break from the cleaning up and earthquake talk. Sausage sizzle at 5.30pm – Rob Innes, who is gifting his time to Christchurch communities hard hit by the earthquake will be there to entertain us from 6.00pm till 7.30pm. Bring along your own refreshments.
>Information for Mt Pleasant Residents
>Dear Mt Pleasant Residents
>Are You Okay?
>Fresh water is available in plentiful supply at the Mt Pleasant School between the hours of 10.00am and 4.00pm daily and there are eight portiloos on site also.
>Christchurch Earthquake 22 February 2011
>Christchurch was struck by a very powerful 6.3 earthquake on Tuesday 22 February, 2011 at 12.51pm. As the epicentre of the quake was only 5km below the surface of Lyttelton it resulted in the devastation of numerous Mt Pleasant homes and severe damage to many others. Some homes on Soleares Ave have been evacuated and closed to through traffic due to the danger of rock fall. Due to quake damage the local school, Mt Pleasant Primary, will be out of action for a least two more weeks.