New's in Brief

Holiday programme
Local resident John Dickie is proposing an Environmental Science Programme during the school holidays if sufficient interest. Details still to be worked out, but as a guideline it will be free, and possibly two sessions each week for a couple of hours each.

The focus will be similar to a programme he ran at Mangawhai Beach School for a few years, getting kids thinking about scientific observations and measurements. Topics may include wind and other weather measurements, water quality, ‘beasties’ found in water bodies, composting, how hot does sand get, noise, beach processes.

A combination of local locations will be used. Some parental support will be needed each session, especially for field trip transport. At this stage the target age group is about 8 to 12-year-olds, but this could be changed depending on response. Email John at johndickie05@gmail.com to register interest.

Fire season change
As of December 14, the whole of the Far North, Whangarei and Kaipara districts have moving to a restricted fire season. This means a permit may be required to light a fire and, if granted a permit, you will be required to follow the conditions listed.

Northland Principal Rural Fire Officer Myles Taylor says the season changes and banning of private use of fireworks have been prompted by the hot, dry and windy conditions.

"These conditions increase the fire danger and make it more likely for a fire to spread and start a wildfire," says Myles.

Anyone planning a summer holiday in Northland should also obey the fire season and be safe with fire. To double check the fire season in your area, or the area you’re travelling to, or need a permit, visit checkitsalright.nz. Note: We are currently Level 1 in Kaipara for water useage. People are being reminded to conserve water as we head into the drier months.

Mowing berms
If you want your berm looking immaculate over the holiday period, it’s okay to mow it yourself if you want to says Kaipara District Council (KDC). Berms are used to separate people’s houses from the roads and manage stormwater. They are not intended to be a manicured lawn. In most suburbs the standard for berm grass is below 300 mm, but that doesn’t include flower or seed heads, which can grow long in a couple of days.

Parks Officer, Mike Collins, says the Council’s contractors do a good job of meeting the Council standards. Earlier this year Elected Members voted to reduce the level of berm maintenance to lower the rates increase post-Covid, saving approximately $40,000 per year.

“Kaipara District Council is still one of the few councils left that still mows berms in the urban areas,” says Mr Collins, though Council is happy for people to mow berms themselves if they want to.