Island Bay Residents’ Association Update
The Island Bay Residents’ Association committee met for the first time this year on 20 February to discuss issues and bring the membership up to speed on several matters. We have since held several more committee meetings and we are looking to hold a Membership meeting in April.
Here is some of our news and updates.
New website
We have launched the Residents’ Association website. It’s a place where you can find out all the information about who we are, what we do, why we do it, and how to contact us.
Severn Street watermain project
This project is being managed by Wellington Water on behalf of the WCC.
Vehicle access is restricted between 2 March 2021 — June 2021
The Esplanade / Shorland Park to Foreshore — pedestrian safety improvement and slow zone
Wellington City Council (WCC) is improving safety for pedestrians at the crossing point of Shorland Park to the Island Bay foreshore by creating a slow zone for all road users.
Construction started in early March.
These improvements follow a request by the Island Bay Residents’ Association in 2019 that Council install a zebra crossing at this crossing point. After investigating the site under Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency guidelines, and consulting with the Residents’ Association and community in July 2020, WCC agreed to improve the existing crossing pedestrian refuge and install a slow zone in this area.
The pedestrian crossing safety improvements are:
- new pedestrian refuge island at the crossing point of Shorland Park to the
- foreshore
- new broken yellow lines near the crossing for visible — new white road markings and sharrows
- Shorland Park Southern Walkway staggered gates
WCC will also install ‘Slow Zone Threshold’ road markings and signs at both ends of the Bay (similar to the slow zones at Moa Point and Breaker Bay).
The slow zone still keeps the 50 km/h speed limit but advises drivers of the change in roadside conditions/activity and the expectation to observe a slower driving speed for the environment.
For more information, visit the WCC website. This includes the layout of the safety improvements.
If you have comments or queries about the safety improvements, please email zackary.moodie@wcc.govt.nz by Friday 26 February 2021.
Shorland Park upgrade begins soon
WCC advises that the design for the play area upgrade is due shortly. The Council says it has been challenging to accommodate feedback and stay within the existing budget.
There have also been some pricing shifts since the design began. WCC will keep us updated.
Beach Cleanup
Forest & Bird Places for Penguins (Wellington Branch) Committee are looking to host a beach clean up from Island Bay to Houghton Bay in April.
They are thinking of holding the event on 17 April, with a start time of 1pm. Places for Penguins would set up a small table in the surf club parking lot to provide gloves and bags for all volunteers.
We’ll keep you posted, but put a circle around 17 April.
WCC Consultation on the Long-Term Plan coming soon
Council is currently preparing the draft 2021-31 Long-Term Plan and will seek your feedback on the plan in April and May 2021.
Consultation opens 6 April and closes 10 May 2021.
WCC is holding a range of community engagement sessions around Wellington to talk about the Long Term Plan. One of these will be in Island Bay, outside New World on Saturday 17 April between 2pm and 5pm. Get along if you can!
Traffic Resolutions Avon / Clyde Street
Council are considering some changes to Traffic Restrictions in your area. Attached is a copy of the proposals. We would be happy to receive feedback on them.
They will advertise the proposed restrictions in The Dominion Post from Thursday 1 April 2021 and consultation closes 5pm, Friday 16 April 2021.
We expect they will present the report to the Regulatory Process Committee meeting on Tuesday 18 May 2021 for approval and they will implement the restrictions soon after.
Other matters
- Council has confirmed Ara Paekawakawa as the name for a new private Right of Way off the new Freeling / Rhine subdivision.
- Friends of Taputeranga Marine Reserve are looking for friends and donations – visit the website for details.
Please encourage friends and neighbours to join the Residents’ Association by contacting islandbayres@gmail.com
Best wishes from all the committee. We will be in touch shortly regarding the next meeting and any further updates.
Island Bay Residents' Association 