News 2004
Web page back on line
Following a few glitches and a change in server we are now back online. Thanks to Earle for running it for us for the last year.
Saturday, October 30 2004
Options for Entrance to Owhiro Bay Quarry Site Carpark
Public Submissions closed on 29 October for ideas for redeveloping the entrance to the former Owhiro Bay Quarry Site including the old quarry building.
Save The Point submitted that the site should be rehabilitated in a manner consistent with the rest of the coast south towards Sinclair Head; that it should be similarly classified as a scenic reserve; that the car park should be relocated to the two vacant sections alongside the quarry building, leaving the foreshore area in front of the building free for rehabilitation with the rest of the coast as indicated in the South Coast Management Plan; and that road access be maintained through to the coast beyond.
Saturday, October 30 2004
Making their point with pictures
Photographers against the proposed construction of a marine centre at Te Raekaihau Pt, on Wellington's south coast, have an exhibition showing at McCormack Studio Gallery, 355 The Parade, Island Bay, till November 7.
On The Edge is a collaborative effort by Gavin Dench, Sunita Singh and Steve Hunt - all residents of the coast.
They are members of Save the Point campaign, which wants to reserve Te Raekaihau Pt, between Lyall Bay and Houghton Bay, in its wild state, with beaches and open spaces. While the images in the show are not overtly political, placed together in the show they provide a broad context for appreciating the beauty of the location.
The proposed tourist attraction on a key site in the coastal environment will only serve to extend urban encroachment on a natural landscape, Dench says. 'The scale of the proposal is such that it will drastically alter the balance between the urban environment and natural environment, which we value'.
The Dominion Post, Friday October 29, 2004
Fundraising calendars for sale
Save The Point has produced a calendar of photographs of Wellington's south coast taken by three of its members Sunita Singh, Gavin Dench and Steve Hunt. Funds raised will be used to further the objectives of this campaign to protect Te Raekaihau Point from development. See Calendar page for further details.
Saturday, October 30 2004
Our Submission for Annual Plan Funding to Rehabilitate the Point.
We presented a restoration plan for the point to the Annual Plan Hearing on 3 June 2004 and so far we have had no response from Council. Have they lost the plan?
$120,000 to restore the point is a lot cheaper than $22 million to build an aquarium and marine education centre.
Friday, October 29 2005
Request for $120,000 from Council for Resource Consent Application
Attached below please find the WCC's Planning & Performance Committee Annual Plan 2004/5 with regard to the Marine Education Centre request for funding towards the cost of their resource consent application. Interesting reading...
35k PDF
Here is how Council voted on this issue and the conditions under which the loan could be uplifted by the Marine Education Centre.
13k Word Document
Monday June 21, 2004
Presentation to Kilbirnie/Rongotai Residents Association
A presentation of our view was made by us to the Kilbirnie/Rongotai Association on May 4. Victor Anderlini and Judy Hutt's presentation consisted of a selection of images of their new proposal which can be seen at Wellington Airport. A large audience was present. Support for our position was indicated by many both publicly and privately. No vote was taken to represent the Association's position on this controversial proposal.
Marine Centre Study Due
Alternative sites for the proposed $12 million Marine Education Centre on the South Coast are still under scrutiny with the first draft independent review now before Wellington City Council.
An initial report looked at carparking space, water quality and marine life in rock pools at three sites - Te Raekaihau Point; Island Bay and Owhiro Bay.
Another feasibility study is under way investigating potential visitor numbers. The results of both reports should be known by mid-May.
A resource consent application should be lodged in a month.
Contact, Thursday April 29, 2004
Protest at the Point
The Save the Point group had 30 minutes to organise a protest against a Marine Education Centre at Te Raekaihau Point, when they discovered drilling on the headland on Monday. Opponents to the development want to preserve the natural landscape, isolation and wildness of the area.
Cook Strait News, Monday April 26, 2004
Point of Difference
Griffiths Drilling Limited takes core samples at Te Raekaihau Point, the proposed site for a new Marine Education Centre. Opponents to the development want to preserve the natural landscape, isolation and wildness of the area.
MEC director Judy Hutt agrees on the beauty of the area.
"It is gorgeous, but that is one of the reasons why we want to build the centre there"
Cook Strait News, Monday April 26, 2004
Island Bay Residents Association Meeting
This meeting took place on Monday March 1, 2004. After a wide ranging debate lasting two and a half hours discussing the only item on the agenda, Association members voted 2-1 rejecting the proposed development on Te Raekaihau Point. Although many emotional pleas were made by the supporters of the proposal it was clear the facts precluded such a development on this sensitive site. It appears that with increasing awareness of the scale of the proposed development, previous supporter opinion is swinging away from it.
Wednesday March 3, 2004
Southern Environmental Association
The Association met on Thursday February 26, 2004. The Association members had previously endorsed the development proposal 2/3 years ago but on viewing the present design overwhelmingly voted to rejected Te Raekaihau Point as a site for such a development. Victor Anderlini and Judy Hutt chose not to make a presentation and instead sought questions from the members present.
Wednesday March 3, 2004
Presentation to Wellington Greens
The meeting was an information-sharing event. Many landscape architects were present, some of whom are working on the Marine Education Centre contract. Many present were surprised at the scale of the proposed development. Victor Anderlini and Judy Hutt invited questions from the audience rather than make a presentation. It was clear from the opinions expressed that many were opposed to the site. No resolution was passed and the debate continues in the Green Party.
Wednesday March 3, 2004
Presentation to Wellington Greens Thursday Feb 19, 2004
Members of the Save the Point group are to do a presentation to the Wellington Province of the Green Party on Thurs. Feb 19, 6.30 - 7.15. This will be held at the Green Rooms, above Calzone, corner Courtenay Place and Cambridge Terrace, Wellington. They will be putting forward the reasons why we oppose any development, including the Marine Education Centre and Aquarium, on the point. Victor and Judy of the Marine Education Centre and WCC Green Councillor Celia Wade-Brown will also be attending the meeting.
Sunday February 15, 2004
Poster Available
We have printed posters about the point. If you would like to distribute some please contact us
Sunday February 15, 2004
Proposed move of MEC to Island Bay Bait Shed
Use of Island Bay Bait Shed for the Island Bay Marine Education Centre Wellington City Council is proposing to offer a new lease to the Island Bay Marine Education Centre at the Bait Shed for a period of 2+1 yearsat an annual rental of $124.00. It is also proposed that the Island Bay Surf Club be used for the lecture and classroom related activities while the Bait House is used for the aquaria and live marine displays.
According to the Council Officer's report the approval to grant this lease will be conditional on;
- the lease being publicly notified in accordance with sections 119 and 120 of the Reserves Act 1977 and no objections being sustained;
- the consent of the Minister being obtained in accordance with section 121 of
- the Reserves Act 1977;
- the lessee meeting the costs incurred in advertising, legal fees and obtaining Ministerial Consent.
The Marine Education Centre has advised Council that it proposes to undertake necessary repairs and maintenance to the Bait House building in order to ensure that it complies with relevant/necessary legislation.It does not appear that Council has considered any other alterantive sites. The Owhiro Bay Quarry building is still an option however this was not an option put to the Committee for its consideration. The Council publicly notified its intention on Saturday 14 February 2004 following an extraordinary meeting of the District Plan and Reserves Subcommittee on 5 February. Details of the proposal are available at Wellington City Council offices, 101 Wakefield Street, during normal office hours. The contact person at Council is Nicky Holden, Property Advisor, WCC Property and Standards, PO Box 2199, Wellington. Submissions must be received by 5 pm Monday 15 March 2004. Submittors may ask for a reasonable opportunity to be heard in support of their submission or objection.
Sunday February 15, 2004
Get Together
On Friday the 23rd of January at 8:30 pm we are planning a get together at Te Raikaihau Point to celebrate the anniversary of the uplifting of the point during the 1855 earthquake, BYO favourite takeaways.
Sunday January 18, 2004
Resource Consent Notification
Stephen Rainbow (WCC) quoted in today's Dominion confirmed that the Resource Consent application will not be notified for about another two months.
Friday January 16, 2004