Community spirit to the fore

OPINION: Community spirit and resilience have been seen in bucket loads within Point Howard and Sorrento Bay, most recently following a significant slip on March 14 that cut road access to 36 homes.

The slip resulted in a loss of power, water and gas to residents across Point Howard and Sorrento Bay. The impact of the slip will be felt for months as the road and water main have temporary fixes and need to be permanently reinstated.

The community spirit is the result of the sustained efforts by past and present members of the Point Howard Association (PHA) and committees.

Past residents clubbed together to build the tennis court and pavilion, and a previous resident, Doug Banks, was so committed to his community he established a Civil Defence HQ in his house.

Events such as the first Covid19 lockdown, where we established a community help team, the various working bees and community projects over the years, the Wellington Free Ambulance Heartbeat Training, and monthly Civil Defence radio checks have forged lasting bonds.

In the hours after the slip, where residents needed to evacuate their homes because of the gas leak,the Point Howard Community Emergency Hub was opened for the most affected resident plus her cats.

Additionally, in true community spirit, numerous residents walked the hill checking in on each other, making sure their neighbours above the slip had what they needed. People offered 20-litre water containers, to carry groceries, and help replace gas bottles.

Several our residents do not use social media so the PHA shared communications, information updates and Hutt City Council guidance with residents via email, in person and during our community get together, which was attended by our mayor.

The PHA used existing networks and channels to get information out, particularly via our email list to which most residents subscribe.

We have learnt several lessons following the slip. We’re expanding the team of door knockers and hill walkers, looking to buy items to assist us during any emergency and hope to increase the number of residents who are skilled in first aid and Civil Defence procedures.

We’ll also be refreshing the street lists we created during the first Covid-19 lockdown so that residents have each other’s upto-date details in the event of an emergency. We respect resident’s privacy, so the street list is on an opt-in basis.

There are a lot of questions, concerns and emotions around this slip and this piece is not intended to minimise anyone’s experience of the events on March 14 2023 and its aftermath.

We recognise this event has considerable impact on residents.

The PHA covers both Point Howard and Sorrento Bay.

The impact of the slip will be felt for months as the road and water main have temporary fixes and need to be permanently reinstated.