Grey Lynn 2030 Transition Community

Grey Lynn 2030 will be showing the End of Suburbia

Preview below

Friday 27th Feb 7.30

Grey Lynn Community Centre Hall

510 Richmond Rd

Cost $2

Get Across Campaign

Would you take part in the proposed trial opening for walking and cycling on the Harbour Bridge in April?  Would you support a protest march if the trial was not allowed?  We’d like to hear from you, please complete our 2 minute survey here:

An update on where things are at.
The NZ Transport Agency have shown they have no interest in providing
walking or cycling access on the Harbour Bridge in the near future.

Read why their excuses are not valid here:

Given that we have explored all diplomatic options with the NZTA, we think it’s time to show them that Aucklanders are serious about being able to walk and cycle over our Harbour Bridge.

We hope you’ll support ARC chair Mike Lee’s suggestion for a trial access
each Sunday morning in April’09. If the NZTA reject his suggestion (which is a distinct possibility), then we want to know your views on a public protest across the bridge.   So it’s important that you complete our 2 minute survey to tell us what you think.

Please forward this info to your friends, encouraging them to voice their
support at http://www.getacross.org.nz/ if they haven’t already done so.
Thanks and best regards!

Andy Smith & Bevan Woodward
www.GetAcross.org.nz <http://www.GetAcross.org.nz>

TT Kingsland/Sandringham/Mt Eden are holding a tree grafting workshop on 22 Feb at 4pm in Sandringham.

Grafting can potentially be one of the cheapest methods to multiply good quality fruit trees for a very low price. It has an edge of long- term as the rootstocks are usually only PB1/2 and that is probably 3 years behind your typical nursery trees. But there is also the possibility of bud-grafting, adding several matching fruit types onto a single tree – good for small urban gardens!

The address and all info will be sent to all who are interested and want to attend. All interested, please email to kingsland.transitiontowns@gmail.com.  We only have a few spaces left due to the smallish space the workshop will be held in.  If there is interest forum more people we will hold another in the near future.

The TTKS group.

We are lucky to now have threee community gardens in Grey Lynn. The “experts” next to St Columba Church and Kelmarna Garden who have years of experience and flourishing gardens.
We also now have a new garden on Wilton Street directly behind the Gypsy Tearoom and the Wine Vvault. Both the owners of the plots and the lessees have given the enterprise their blessing so ongoing tenure is assured.

The project has been started by a group of neighbours at the top of Wilton Street, including Mandy McMullein, Kate Walshe, and Jacqui Watson and Adele. Mandy, is a landscape architect, and intends to design a plan for the garden which the community could use that might gain sponsorship from various funding sources. This would pay for
soil testing and structures that need to be put in place, such as a fence and a compost bin. A local enterprise that makes compost bins businessman has offered to do any building required at a reduced rate.
There are a few locals already involved  largely from Wilton Street who are keen on the project and have good skills to donate to it. Since they started other people from further afield have contacted the gardeners asking to be involved. All are welcome.

Presently it still looks like a empty section but Ponsonby News spoke to the Mandy and Jacqui who said the plot has already undergone a transformation with a major weed problem tackled. and almost overcome. They’ve hand cleared the site of jasmine that was growing right up into the trees and smothering everything. Although pretty, jasmine is very hard to eradicate
completely and will require ongoing control.

Some kind person has offered them a couple of goats to get rid of it, but that’s an option requiring careful consideration! Might be a bit upsetting for people having a tipple at Gypsy Tea Rooms….

The plan is that members of the community will pull together to create a resource that we can all enjoy. Part of their vision is to have a relaxation area as well, where people can enjoy sitting quietly, they might have street barbeques, or neighbourhood celebrations at festival times.

Kiwis are getting a helping hand to rid their homes of inefficient appliances over the next few weeks as part of Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ annual recycling days.

On Saturday 28 February (8am to 4pm) in Wellington and Christchurch, and Saturday 7 March (8am to 4pm) in Auckland, the public can bring any brand of old kitchen or laundry appliances to identified drop off points and the items will be recycled for free.  The drop off points are: Wellington – 20 Gough St, Seaview, Lower Hutt; Christchurch – Fisher & Paykel Appliances, 79 Shands Rd, Hornby; and Auckland – Fisher & Paykel Appliances, East Tamaki (entry via 14 Allens Rd)

Furthermore, a limited number of people who drop off their appliances will be rewarded with a discount voucher for a new Fisher & Paykel appliance.

With tens of thousands of appliances put into landfill nationwide each year, the days enable the public to recycle their appliances in an environmentally friendly, convenient manner at no cost. This unique initiative is part of the Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ environmental focus and commitment to make homes more energy efficient.

The company’s Recycling Manager George Gray says last year’s event was a great success and well supported by the public.

“The community really got in behind this initiative and brought in hundreds of appliances for recycling – this meant 17 tonnes of waste was saved from going into landfill,” says Mr Gray.  “We’re anticipating an even better response this year with the programme extended to Wellington and Christchurch. With Kiwis around the country, we hope we can continue to make a positive difference to our environment.

“And with discount vouchers of up to $150 towards new appliances available to a limited number of people, we’re encouraging people to get in to see us as early as possible on the recycling days,” adds Mr Gray.

Fisher & Paykel Appliances recycles over 40,000 kitchen and laundry appliances each year, helping ease the strain on natural resources and avoid potential future hazards associated with dumping into landfills.

Mr Gray says: “Taking these appliances out of use can save householders on energy costs while benefiting the environment at the same time.  For example, outdated fridges are much less energy efficient than new ones, and can use up to three times more electricity.

“We estimate there are thousands of old and inefficient appliances throughout New Zealand, so the potential to save energy and money is huge.”

Mike Underhill, Chief Executive of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says: “These recycling days are a fantastic initiative.  People often hang on to these appliances because it is a hassle to get rid of them. People who replace their old, inefficient appliances with more energy efficient models will save electricity and money – and there is a benefit to the environment.

“When replacing appliances, EECA recommends that people buy ENERGY STAR qualified models.  The ENERGY STAR mark means that it is in the top 25% of the most energy efficient appliances – and Fisher & Paykel are one of our partners who carry ENERGY STAR appliances”.

The recycling days add to Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ range of environmental initiatives, including a recycling centre that has been operating since 1993, recycling approximately 2,400 tonnes of appliances per year over the last three years.

In 2008, the company also ran a unique fridge retirement programme with EECA, which gave Auckland residents the opportunity to call Fisher & Paykel Appliances in to remove their old, inefficient refrigerators.

In addition, the company re-uses and/or recycles all of its packaging, conducts waste audits on materials that come out of its factories and all of its garden waste is mulched on site and reused.

On Fisher & Paykel Appliances Recycling Days, the following items will be accepted:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Washers (top and front loading)
• Dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens (wall and freestanding)
• Cooktops (gas and electric)
• Rangehoods
• Waste disposal units
• Microwaves

Old appliances can be dangerous, so Fisher & Paykel Appliances representatives will de-gas them as needed.  The company is not in a position to accept televisions, stereos, mobile telephones, computers or furniture.

For more information visit http://www.fp.co.nz/global/about-us/the-environment/recycling.cfm or call 0800 FPCARE.

Forget The Warehouse if you want a bargain, come along to
‘Swap-a-Cloth’
10am-4pm on Saturday February 21st at 8A Mount Eden Rd (opposite thePowerstation)

Bring $5, a bag of your clean pre-loved clothes
Swap them for a new wardrobe

In the spirit of reusing and recycling, the clothes will be sorted
into categories and patrons will be free to rummage through what’s on offer and refill their bag with new goodies.  In addition, screen printing,sewing machines and other do-it-yourself crafts will be available to modify and mend items.  Refreshments and home baked goods will also be on hand.

‘Swap-a-Cloth’ is being hosted by Auckland Free Space Community Group which is fundraising to establish a new community space in Auckland.  The event will be family friendly, fun for all ages and aims to assist people with an affordable way to revitalise their wardrobe.

Felicity Perry, a member of the group says, ‘Not only is
‘Swap-a-Cloth’ a great fundraiser, but the initiative is environmentally friendly,gives people a chance to de-clutter their closets and pick up some new threads for a bargain.’

Community wide clothing swaps are popular in Canada and the United States and Auckland Free Space Community Group hopes to create enthusiasfor this initiative on our shores.  Leftover clothes will be donated to a worthy cause and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.