Secretary 2022/23: Michael Archer

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome : Jan welcomed our speakers  Chris Nally, Caleb Perry; Fifteen members. and Alison Pitman 18 in all

 

Apologies had been received from : Gary Brown; David Gibson; Owen McCluggage, David Lusk and Simon Northrop.

 

Raffle: Stephen Bovett

 

Fines : Sally Morch tested our knowledge of Collective Nouns

 

Host : Des Friedrich introduced the guest speakers from Waka Kotahi: Chris Nally Project Manager and Caleb Perry (Mt Messenger Manager)

 

Speaker : Chris Nally talked initially about the massive construction projects Waka Kotahi are undertaking in Taranaki .

 

There are 4 roundabouts being installed from NP to Waitara for safety No 1 priority to save lives.

 

Princes St Waitara, already work done on Stormwater to be completed June 2024.

Airport, Highway 3A intersection, Waitara Rd will be completed in 3 seasons each overlapping to ensure minimal obstructions for traffic.

 

Sealing 12km of State Highway 43 (Forgotten Highway) with a a bridge replacement included is underway.

 

Caleb Perry: The Mt Messenger Bypass Project - Te Are o Te Ata

 

Caleb previously worked in Auckland for 5 years but returned to New Plymouth in October last year. An Alliance of companies Waka Kotahi, Downer, HEB Construction, Tonkin and Taylor and WSP( Local New Plymouth Consultancy company) was established in February.

Reasons for the project:

Safety

Resilience

Reliability

Opportunity for environmental gains

 

Involves 6 KM of road, 2 bridges (125m and 30M), 1 Tunnel 235M long(directly under the existing parking area on Mt Messenger). 

Summit height 110M grades up to 7.5% compared to current 12%

Estimated cost $280M construction period 2022-26

 

32Hectares of forest, wetland and riparian planting approx 120,000 plants

Pest management covering 3650 Hectares. to reduce rats,, goats, stoats, pigs, possums, feral cats.

Over 250Km of traps and bait stations every 100-150metres.

A collaboration with the  local Iwi Ngati Tama both culturally and environmentally

 

A New Zealand first for roading 1.1KM cableway to enable transportation of machinery and workers into the heart of the project from the top of Mt Messenger. Will take up to 20 Tonnes.This is designed to speed up construction enabling a start to access the construction area North of the Tunnel to begin before the 125M Bridge to the south is complete.

 

Benefits 74 new jobs, $4M salaries around $25M in spending locally per year.

 

Current legal action against compulsory acquisition of land on the norther section of the project is expected to be resolved when that section is ready for construction.

 

2 videos were shown of a simulated trip on the new road and the Cableway. Go to 

 

http//nzta.govt.nz/tearaoteata to view.

 

Stephen Bovett thanked the speakers for their very interesting and topical addresses and taking the time out of a busy schedule (they were off to another meeting the same evening)

 

3 Minute Speaker: Ian Smilie gave us an excellent address about the benefits of exercise to improve health such as:

Cardiovascular

Stress,

Depression

Lower risk of dementia- hypo oxygenate the brain

Exercise releases chemicals in the brain such as endophins providing pain relief, Seratonin helps stabilise mood and sense of wellbeing.

There is a high incidence of diabetes in NZ, exercise not only allows weight loss but lowers blood sugar levels.

There is good evidence that it lowers the risk of some cancers and also helps recovery after treatment.

Recommended:

150 minutes /week of moderate exercise (enabling some shortness of breath and ability to still talk) walking

75 minutes/ week of strenuous exercise involving weight bearing or resistance exercise 

running, walking, lifting weights etc.

 

.

Cape Egmont Half Marathon. Sunday, 16th July  - Jan reported that volunteers were still required. Let Jan know if you are available to assist.

 

 

Thanks to the 9 members that helped out last Sunday

 

A reminder that working bees will be 10.00-12.00 noon Tuesdays and Sundays

 

 

If you have any ideas for speakers pass them on to Judy

 

Parting Thought : Tony Bird

 

The way I see it is if you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain- Dolly Parton