FIRE REPORT

Winter is definitely upon us. I am grateful for the wonderful weather we had while we were in lockdown, as I think it helped get us through a tough time.

I am now left wondering when I will have the time to get back out into my garden with the catch up on work I have.

I know there are many of us like this out in the community. I understand that people came out of lockdown with mixed feelings, the same way we went in. There would have been fear and reluctance, mixed with relief and anticipation.

Many of us have looked at how we work and how that is going to look in the future. I know, I have had to re-evaluate the way I work and am trying to implement those changes, hopefully all for the good.

The council and community board are now fully back on board.

We had our first post-lockdown community board meeting on June 9. We were still in level 2, 24 hours before we went into level 1.

I have reported below on a few items of interest that are high on the agenda and people’s concerns.

As a board we highlighted that the railway bridge held highest priority due to safety concerns.

With the new developments and new young families moving in the other side of the railway bridge, we felt that it is important to have a safe walking path both sides of the bridge.

Bridge update — The plans are that there will be a bridge on the eastern side adjacent to the existing bridge. This will be able to carry pedestrians, cyclists and light traffic in cases of emergency. This is due to be started in the new financial year which begins this July. As we requested a bridge each side of the road, there will be a second bridge, this will be on the western side. This bridge will be able to carry pedestrians and cyclists. The bridges will be built in a staged approach. The geotechnical investigations have begun.

This is exciting, as I know this has been a long time coming for the community.

New seats — The community will start to see new seats pop up around the peninsula as council staff begin to install them. Along with the new seats, there will be new bike racks installed in strategic positions around Omokoroa.

Sports pavilion — The new pavilion is taking shape and once this has been completed there will be a new path installed from Omokoroa road to the pavilion.

Playground — The board met in a workshop with council staff and the landscape architect to look at the plans for the new playground and to move it forward to the next stage of development. The overall plans for the new playground look exciting and there may be a few adults wanting to play on some of the new playground equipment.

Silica study — Council has agreed to fund a “Treatability Study” to investigate if it is viable and the cost of removing the silica from the water in Omokoroa. I know personally this is a huge issue. The next stage is to see how viable and what the cost would be.

CCTV — There have been requests from the community for CCTV to be installed. Presently we have had a quote from Tarnix and I need to

The last fortnight has been a quiet one for Omokoroa Volunteer firefighters with just four callouts attended.

The first to a three-car pile up on the State Highway 2/ Omokoroa Rd intersection.

There were no serious injuries sustained by drivers.

Callouts to three controlled burnoffs, follow up on some other queries the Board has before we take this to the community.

The council is also reviewing their CCTV policy in their Long Term Plan. While we have not addressed this matter completely, it is being investigated and looked at.

Esplanade — I know there have been some discussions and possibly some disillusionment at council re parking/dust on The Esplanade. While this has not been completely resolved, council staff and I are still looking at solutions that will provide the best result for the community. in Wainui South Rd, Whakamaramara Rd and Esdaile Rd, resulted in no brigade action.

Omokoroa First Responders were also called four times.

Twice were to persons suffering from breathing problems and twice to patients suffering from dizziness and fainting.

— Chief Fire Officer, Ian Blunt