Massey Birdwood Settlers Association

NEWSLETTER NO. 29

 August/September 2012

Welcome.

In this issue we again encourage you to use our website,

http://masseybirdwoodsettlers.org

 

The site is a reflection of our community… which means that as the community develops, so will the website. We hope that you are participating in the polls and expressing your views on the posts. It is your chance to take an active part in the community from the comfort of the computer screen. It is hoped you are enjoying  it and use it as your “got to” to find other important community sites in Massey and discover more about the many activities that take place in our hall at the top of the hill.

To let us know you are on our side, check out our facebook page and click the Like button – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Massey-Birdwood-Settlers-Hall.

Also in this edition we introduce you to our latest fitness class, held in the hall on a Monday morning between 10am and 12 noon. We also welcome a new advertiser. Kay Wilson from Bayley’s. Now if you go on to our website, for can click on her advert and go to her website and find out more about property that is for sale or rent in Massey.

Also in this edition an article about the parking problems in City View Heights and a story about the proposed PCL development. If you read this in time hope we will see you at Massey High School (in the new performing arts centre), 6.30pm Monday 13^th August to meet the Mayor.

Enjoy the reading.

For Young Mums keeping fit Can be a Problem

For young mums keeping fit both before and after pregnancy is a problem. The halls latest user, Yummy Mummy Fitness classes meets on Mondays at 10am and can help expectant Mums and new Mums get back in shape.

Simmone Rank offers 3 group fitness classes, through Yummy Mummy Fitness to help new Mums meet their fitness needs during and after pregnancy are catered for.

Prenatal Fitness:
Gain strength and fitness during pregnancy to prepare for labour and a speedy recovery afterwards.
The classes are suitable for women who have previously exercised and those who are planning on lifestyle changes during this critical time as they cater for all levels of fitness.

Mummy & Baby Pilates:
During pregnancy your core muscles endure enormous stresses which often leads to weakness in the core and back once baby has arrived.
Back pains and bad posture are common side effects of this. These problem areas with at a Yummy Mummy pilates based exercise class. Babies & toddlers are very welcome to come along!

Stroller Boot camp:
Another good class is the child friendly boot camp classes for mums! If you want to get fit, strong and/or lose weight – this class is for you! All mums are welcome, whether they have a new born, toddler or your kids are already at school! Mums can start this class 6-8 weeks after a natural birth and 12-14 weeks after a c section. You can even join a free trial class!

For more specific requirements and care, Yummy Mummy Fitness trainers can also be booked for 1on1 training sessions at your home or local park.

Check out the Massey Birdwood Settlers website, and click on the Yummy Mummy Fitness link, listed under hall users links, for more information.

Let’s Talk Real Estate– (you can read this article on our website masseybirdwoodsettlers.org)

As a local resident, whether you own your home, or are currently renting, it is good to be well informed of what is happening in our local property market.

Well the good news for home owners is that our market is quite buoyant at the moment. The majority of properties in Massey are selling quickly and achieving very good prices indeed. Days on the market are decreasing and it is not unreasonable to expect to achieve a house sale within four weeks. In fact, some properties are selling much quicker than this and some purchasers have to battle it out in multi-offer situations. The result of this means vendors can expect to achieve the very best price that the current market is prepared to pay for their home.

According to recent statistics from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, the housing price index for Auckland is now up 3.7% from our highest ever peak which was in July 2007. We are also experiencing the lowest level of homes available on the market since 2008 which is certainly a contributing factor to many successful sales of late.

Buyer demand still remains steady but as regularly occurs at this time of year, available properties are few and far between. Properties generally achieve a premium price when there are fewer homes available for sale on the market. So if you’re considering selling, now is a fabulous time to list and sell your property.

But what about if you are wishing to rent a property? Well, be warned, you will have to be quick! Demand for rental properties is also high and they are getting snapped up very quickly. Some landlords are feeling the financial strain of increased rates and insurance so rent prices seem to be increasing too. You can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $400 per week for a three bedroom house in our local Massey area.

So would you like parking issues everyday?

Everyone reads the newspapers and probably wishes to see the headlines that suggests the country is growing.

However when the country grows, that means there is probably more housing, more people and more students attending our local schools, which are situated in suburban NZ. Right?

And when they are high schools that probably means students driving to schools – what ever happened to walking, cycling and catching the bus?

Of course City Planners have stopped planning for 6 metre plus roads in suburbia now days as well, so when developers build a subdivision near a high school, with a consent from the Council allowing for narrow roads (which keeps the cost down for the developer you understand), the quite suburban street becomes  a myth.

So it is for those living in  Mantra Rd, Cityview Pl and Jammen Drive.

The problem is that it is not just for an hour at the beginning and end of a school day, that the frustration of  living near a major high school and the vehicle movements that result is felt, it is all day. It  means the Residents cannot park outside their own properties from 8am-3.30pm nor can their visitors.

At 3.10 the problem doubles as not only do 100 students piling into the area but also Parents using the narrow streets as a drop off and pick up point. This causes massive congestion and noise. A lot of young (generally male) drivers  constantly do wheelies, burnouts and generally show off to their mates to great applause. This is ripping up the roads.Large groups congregate before and after school often displaying anti-social behaviour. The  streets are only 5 meters wide with cars parked down one side and traffic using the other. When speeding teens are told to slow down, it earns a tirade of abuse.  Just to want to live peacefully and respectfully in their our own neighbourhood is the reason why   resident’s are requesting “Residents Only Parking”. Surely Residents take precedent for parking outside theirown homes given the dangerous, often disrespectful behaviour shown by some (certainly not all) students.

The dotted yellow lines that indicate no parking areas are fine, however a premium is then  placed on the parking bays.

The residents have approached Auckland Transport through the Association for a resolution to their problems.

Is anyone else having trouble with school parking issues? Not just City View Heights, but other areas in Massey, close to Massey High, and other areas in the Henderson Massey Local Board area for that matter, that are close to our major colleges?  Henderson High, Waitakere College, Rutherford High, St Dominics are all major schools.

The Association would welcome your views.

From Mash to Cash

A mixed use shopping centre is being proposed for a redevelopment of the PCL site opposite the Association’s hall on the corner of Don Buck and Red Hills Road.

 

Established in 1950s, for over half a century the Poultyman’s Coop Ltd site has provided feed and grain for countless millions of chooks throughout North Auckland.

For some time the community has been aware of plans to sell the property, as PCL move to consolidate their feed operation at their existing South Auckland plant.

Rumours of possible land use have included a high density residential development or a custodial Bad Boy facility operated by the Justice Department.

However it now seems likely the 4.5 ha (10 acre) site is destined to become yet another Westie commercial hub, with shops and offices.

Although nothing has yet been cast in concrete, the Association has already flagged the development a potential trouble spot with an increase in traffic around an area that already has, with several schools within the immediate vicinity, a high population of children.

As more information comes to hand we shall do our best to keep our community informed.

Join your Resident and Ratepayers Association

The Massey & Birdwood Settlers Association always welcomes new members.

As a resident and ratepayer group we represent the views of the community to the local Council and Government, ensuring adequate resources are spent in the community that will benefit the whole community.

We have been doing this since 1925.

This Association is your Association – a voice to represent the community in matters relating to the way the City relates to all of us. Over the years many executive members of the Association have held elected positions within the City Council and Local Boards.
Road into Triangle Road.

We have always made submissions to the Council on proposed rate increases as part of its role in ensuring local ratepayers are heard and the Council are aware that rate increase has a direct impact on many residents and local businesses budgets.

If you’re a resident or ratepayer in our area (From Ranui to Westgate and all areas between) the Massey and Birdwood Settlers Association Incorporated is well worth joining for a membership of just $1 (one dollar)..