Disappointment as local events strug.. After the story about the cancellation of this years Guy Fawkes event on Orewa Beach broke on Hibiscus Matters website and Facebook page on August 21, the response from the public was immediate. Most evident from the comments was the disappointment and anger felt by local families - and it appears more disappointment could be on the way, as other summer events struggle for funding. Organisers are Page 3

Beachcombers pick up slack for Counc.. The work of clearing beaches of rubbish in regional parks, including Shakespear and Wenderholm, will largely fall to volunteers due to a reduction in the service levels provided by Council contractors. The change has the potential to increase the amount of unsightly rubbish that can present a hazard to both people and wildlife. Cost savings to ratepayers, as well as "rationalisation of standards o Page 2

Community effort saves Coasts safe .. The future of a local safe house has been secured by the intervention of two community groups - Hibiscus Coast Community House and The Shiloh Trust. The two organisations have been working behind the scenes with Hibiscus & Bays Local Board deputy chair Greg Sayers to save the safe house since a story appeared in Hibiscus Matters five months ago alerting them that it was in jeopardy. The Council-ow Page 6

Freemasons secrets come out in the .. The Freemasons are casting aside a long-held reputation for secrecy, starting locally by opening their Lodge in Orewa to the public. As well as holding a free public Open Day later this month, the organisation is also supporting local schools by funding software that assists children with learning or behavioural difficulties (HM April 2). Publicity convenor Peter Packard says it is time that the m Page 5

Open workshops under discussion Moves to allow the public and media into Council workshops have stirred up local body representatives, with strong views expressed on both sides. Workshops, which include briefings by Council staff and the circulation of information relevant to decision making, are held almost weekly. No proper Minutes are kept and public access is not permitted. This year the Devonport Takapuna Local Board opened Page 3

Full ferry service ready for launch .. Commuters can expect better ferry services between Gulf Harbour and Auckland sooner rather than later, with the announcement last week that the final hurdle, obtaining funding, is almost over. The improved service is expected to begin towards the end of this month, with Auckland Transport (AT) and Fairway Bay developer Top Harbour ready to sign an agreement at the end of last week. The cloak of co Page 2

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Three nations share their knowledge .. A cross cultural exchange of a unique kind took place this month with the visit of three Native American Elders to Te Herenga Waka in Orewa. The Elders, Gil Aguilera, Ruben Saufkie and Gail Whitlow, came to Orewa as the guests of Marama Winder who invited them here after attending their workshop in Albany last month. Marama organised the day of teaching, healing and ceremony at Te Herenga Waka in Page 8

Employment loses out as housing take.. The opportunity for locals to work, as well as live, on the Hibiscus Coast, is being eroded, even as the population grows, as owners of land that was zoned to provide employment seek consent for residential housing. Auckland Council is processing consents for both Clayton Reids Highgate Business Park in Wainui Rd, Silverdale, and the 11.3ha site on Hibiscus Coast Highway, opposite the Park n Ri Page 3

Old batteries power new community fu.. Redundant batteries will soon be supplying power to young users of mobility equipment as a result of the latest Orewa Lions initiative, supported by Silverdale business Tin Men. - Lions new project involves volunteers collecting unwanted, dead batteries from around the Hibiscus Coast and taking them to Tin Men for recycling. Tin Men pays around $10 per battery, and this money will go towards the Page 5

Redress sought for damage to Weiti p.. The location of power lines on a sensitive, protected natural area on the Weiti River has caused conflict between the power company Vector and Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird. The salt marsh is on an Auckland Council reserve, designated a Significant Ecological Area, and protected as one of the last natural coastal areas left in the region. However, recent work to repair a fault involved line workers Page 3