Raffle Results, RFP and Noise stand-off!

Raffle results

Thank you to members for their help with fund raising raffle tickets. The results from the raffle draw on 29 July (delayed one week) are as follows:

(1st S Yee, 3833) (2nd R Drake 3916)  (3rd C Moran, 2908) (4th N Mair, 4086) (Runner-ups, 1. D Rhodes, 1398, 2. S Felise, 4070, 3. D Robertson, 3078, 4. G Melhuish, 1849, 5. Adrian, 4704).  

Thank you to YMCA Jordon Recreation Centre for their support with the prize of a year long gym membership and to the Mad Butcher for their two meat packs. Thank you also to the Onehunga Business Association who contributed shopping vouchers to be spent in Onehunga, Hedgehog Bikes and to Haysom Print.

Request For Proposals

Request For Proposals for the restoration of the Onehunga foreshore are now being sought by the Auckland City Council. This is the first stage in the procurement process. Three companies will then be selected to submit a full tender for the project. We are hopeful that a contract will be awarded in the next 4 months to the successful contractor.

Article from current issue of the Central Leader which may be of interest:

By RHIANNON HORRELL - Central Leader

Residents have complained about loud crashing, machinery droning and occasional beeping, which they say affects their sleep.

Hundreds have signed a petition against excessive industrial noise from a nearby plant, CMA Recycling Ltd.

The firm has two sites, the Neilson St operation which has run since 1993 and the Church St operation which started in March.

A metal shredding machine operates on the Church St site.

Concerned locals say metal is being dropped into shipping containers standing on end. They say noise is noticeable from 11pm through to 7am and also during the day.

They say affected roads include Captain Springs Rd, Mays Rd, Heretaunga Ave, Grotto St, Grey St and Alfred St.

Resident Daniel Johnson says he has been forced to stay with relatives because the noise is unbearable.

"The noise is destroying the peace, disrupting sleep and invading every aspect of our lives," he says in a submission to the Maungakiekie Community Board.

CMA Recycling health and safety officer Farrell Temata says resource consent requires the company to operate within industrial zone noise parameters set by the Auckland City District Plan.

"Accordingly we engaged an acoustic engineer to carry out this testing and his report confirmed that CMA Recycling complied fully with those conditions."

Mr Temata says the firm has also been dealing with the council and cooperating with any investigations.

"We have at all times listened to and taken notice of any concerns our neighbours may have in regard to our operations."

He says the company further sought to reduce noise by minimising operations after 7pm.

"We believe that we have displayed significant corporate responsibility."

Council environmental noise specialist Mervyn Chetty has conducted monitoring at night and could not link the noise levels to the sources complained about.

He says district plan noise levels for specific business and residential zones are 55 decibels between Monday to Saturday from 7am to 10pm.

Excluding Sunday and public holidays, the level at night is 45 decibels.

Mr Chetty says there is also a maximum value of 75 decibels for sudden noises.

"I cannot take action without real evidence," he says, adding that the noise is periodic and the issue is complex.

Council environments group manager Mark Vinall says there is a level of hum and background noise, at times there are loud beeps, sirens and crashing.

"There are a number of industries that operate at night and we haven't been able to determine which industry the noise is coming from."

Koves Plastic Industries managing director Andrew Weisz-Koves says he learned the metal recycling business was moving in to the neighbouring property in October.

He says Mr Temata initially apologised for the high level of noise, indicating it would be temporary.

Maungakiekie MP and city councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga is aware of the issue and says the council is taking the matter seriously. "