Grey Lynn 2030 Transition Community

Interested in resilient, empowered and financially sustainable communities through social enterprise and community owned assets? – this two day conference is a feast that is not to be missed!

There are still places available for the inspirational NZ Community Economic Development Conference that is being held in Waitakere, Auckland on 19/20 April. The final conference programme is now online with 50 presenters over seven plenary and 35 workshops.

In addition to presentations, the conference will effectively create a two day learning community –through the many discussions and debates at workshops, open space, chats between sessions and of course, in the bar! Register here

Information covered at the Grey Lynn 2030 meeting in March 2011 led by Mandy McMillin of the Wilton Street Community Garden

1.    Goal

To create a beautiful and diverse urban landscape that supports a rich mix of flora and fauna; where nature is visible and celebrated; with streets where people, plants, birds, bees and insects flourish.

2.    The Plan

To create continuous gardens on the roadside berms along both sides of the streets in our neighbourhood.  Each person participating takes responsibility for planting and maintaining the berm garden outside their own house.  It is hoped that over time, other neighbours will see the benefits and join in, so that eventually the gardens will form a continuous corridor in any street.  In the same way as the Franklin Street Christmas lights, each house will have a different garden but together they will form a congruous whole.  The gardens combined will be visually stunning and create a cohesive landscape that is pleasant to walk and play in.

3.  Environmental and community benefits

• Beautiful streetscapes
• food and habitat for birds, bees, native invertebrates (such as lizards) and other insects
• improved pollination rates for local plants
• support local bee populations
• reduction in stormwater runoff and soil erosion
• streets become a more pleasant environment for living in
• attract visitors to our neighbourhood
• improved environment for passive recreation including walking and cycling
• co-operation and connections between neighbours
• the streets are reclaimed for living in – not vehicle traffic (David Engwicht)
• cleaner air and stormwater – plants filter air and water
• shade in summer and shelter in winter – bulk vegetation can moderate temperature extremes
• reduced maintenance costs to council/ratepayers (no mowing)

4.   Recommended species to plant
Hardy, low maintenance, flowering perennials and small shrubs.  Native plants as habitat and food for native flora and fauna. All year round flowering plants for bees.  Non-weed species, non invasives..
For example; Lavender, hebe, native grasses, pohuehue (muehlenbeckia) manuka, swan plants, wild flowers, borage, nasturtium, comfrey.

5.         Guidelines

Auckland Council owns the roadside verge or berm. Grey Lynn 2030 supports planting by residents who are willing to take ongoing responsibility for the planting.  If you are unsure about the best approach ask for permission from the Council and stick to the following guidelines for planting on berms:

• Only low-level planting should be used. This should not impede pedestrians, restrict visibility or create a safety hazard for motorists or cyclists.
• The planting (eg. tree roots) must not affect the operation of utility services.
• The planting should be maintained regularly.
• Trees, large boulders, shells and similar, harder landscaping measures must not be used.
• Growth must be kept clear of the roadside and any roadside structures or furniture.

6.    Funding and assistance
Grey Lynn 2030 will consider applications for a contribution of $50 to anyone who would like to do a planting and needs financial assistance.

Berm bombs away The Aucklander, 24 March 2011

If you have any more queries contact project leader Mandy McMullin at greylynn2030@gmail.com

If you go down to the Grey Lynn library at 6 PM on Friday March 25, you’re in for a big surprise.

“Writer/Read-In” organisers are calling up authors in the wider Auckland area to get along to local libraries to read their books in a fundraiser for the quake-stricken people of Christchurch.

Grey Lynn Library writer/readers include Anne Kennedy, Fionna Hill, Paula Green, Orchid Tierney, Vivienne Plumb and Louise Tu’u.

The event is jointly run by Auckland Libraries and the New Zealand Society of Authors.

Entry to the readings will be by gold coin, which will be collected by the Salvation Army.
Further information, see: www.authors.org.nz or Auckland Libraries

Grey Lynn 2030 Green Screen presents

No impact Man

Sunday 27 March

7.30pm at the Grey Lynn Community Centre

$2 entry

Thursday 24 March
5-8pm

Music, wine & food tasting, late night shopping, story telling, entertainment and lots more at your local shops on Richmond Road including:

Harvest Wholefoods
Enjoy the picnic area outside Harvest with entertainment by the Ukaladies and DJ Nathan

West Lynn Organic Meats
Mr H brings out the BBQ

Monterey Cafe
Open late with DJ Andy and the Family Band ukulele players. The famous Hakanoa mule cocktail is back!

The Wine Vault -Canterbury Night
Free tasting featuring wineries and breweries from Canterbury, held in the courtyard, with profits from the evening going to the earthquake relief effort. DJ entertainment

Dear Reader – Story telling with Phineas Phrog
6-7pm

Savour & Devour
Open for evening tapas and drinks
(Street party volunteers also receive a free coffee)

Grey Lynn Neighbourhood Law Office
BBQ  with any proceeds going towards the Christchurch earthquake appeal .

Vanilla Ink
In-store drinks and nibbles 6-8pm

Dalston
In-store drinks and nibbles. Super sale rack until 8pm

Stripeworks – hand-woven Rag Rugs  

Information tables
Grey Lynn RSC
Women’s Centre
Waste Away
GLBA
Fairtrade Auckland

Pilates Class by Zee from Return to Form Ltd
At 5.55pm for one hour at the Grey Lynn Community Centre (max 15 people) Free

Zee is also offering free 30 minute consultation for physio/Pilates/acupuncture/postural analysis if booked on the day with 50% discounted follow up session.

Brought to you for Neighbours Day Aotearoa by the Grey Lynn Business Association and Grey Lynn 2030

Thanks to all participating businesses and retailers.

Printing sponsored by Stripeworks at 466 Richmond Road.

Want to see what a vibrant, fun, community street party looks like? Check out the West Lynn Street party video from last year. Photos from the 2010 party thanks to Diya Welland.

In the March issue:

Creating urban bio-corridors
Neighbours Day
Grey Lynn Farmers Market
Waste Away
Grey Lynn Business Association
Green Screen 2011
Christchurch fundraising afternoon tea

To receive the newsletter directly email greylynn2030@gmail.com