Estuary Arts Centre seeks further expansion
Estuary Arts Centre in Ōrewa is hoping for a second extension to its building, with its teaching facilities currently “bursting at the seams”, according to board members.
The original building, a former KFC, was extended six years ago with the addition of an education wing that included two new studios. The education wing, which cost around $1.1m, opened in December, 2015.
Income from the classes that the education wing made possible is part of making the arts centre more financially sustainable.
Last month Estuary Arts Trust Board member Dr Michael Irwin and treasurer Philip Crow put their case for the planned new extension to the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board at a Community Forum.
Residents despair at abuse of reserve
Hatfields residents want bollards erected to prevent cars driving on the recreational area, but cost and other issues are preventing this.
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The thought of another summer of cars and motorbikes ‘hooning around’ on Hatfields Reserve, and having to clean up piles of rubbish including fish hooks, nails and human waste, is fueling the anger of local residents.
Toni Abrahams and a group of around 10 other Hatfields residents, mainly dog owners, say the abuse of the reserve has been going on for years.
“We have been picking up rubbish and complaining to Council for many years and have been ignored,” Toni says. “One dog got a fish hook in its mouth, and our dogs have rolled in human excrement. People drive onto the reserve and change their oil. The nature reserve is our only green space and we want it to be safe for all users.”