Graeme Ebbett clears the air
When was Titahi Bay Residents Association established and why?
We formed in 1995. The issue of management of cars on the beach was coming to a head and a group of [Bay] residents who were making submissions wanted an organisation that could give them a legal standing, background and assistance.
So you were formed for one reason?
Basically, yes, although we’ve since come to represent a lot more than the cars issue. We’ve fought in court and won, on many occasions, often creating precedents.
Can you give some examples?
We won a groundbreaking case [in the Environment Court in 2001] against Telstra Saturn over their cable, including restrictions on the size of the cable, when work could be done, machinery on the beach and where they could go through the fossilised forest. There was tackling the spraying in Whitireia Park by the regional council [in 2010] and the number of units and land use conditions on the View Rd subdivision. They were times we aided residents, went to court, and either settled or won. I don’t think people realise the huge amount of work that went into those cases.
Do the court victories and settlements help to explain the $48,846 the association has in the bank?
Yes. We’ve been up front about our bank accounts, even though others wonder where it came from and spread rumours. Some money is being held after being given to us by the [ now defunct] Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Progressive Association, but most of the money in our account was raised by us. Raised how? Through court settlements, subscriptions, sponsorships, interest earned. We’re transparent about it; there’s nothing to hide. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised by the association over the years. It has been an amazing effort.
Do you want cars off the beach?
That’s a very common misconception. It’s frustrating and the antithesis of what we’re about. We don’t want cars off the beach, but want to see a strong management plan put in place. To have the area where cars can go, and boatshed owners can drive their tractors, clearly defined and management tools put in place to protect the beach is important to us and this community. We and the regional council are in agreement, but it has been difficult to find compromises with Porirua City Council in the past. Your relationship with
has been fractious.
I would say terse. There have been inaccuracies and lack of balance, and errors kept getting repeated, because once they’re in print they’re referenced in the future and become fact. I believe Kapi- Mana has been manipulated over the years to write things that paint our association in a certain light. It’s disappointing, but it’s what we’ve come to expect. Creating controversy and spreading rumours is how some people act – divide and conquer.
And your relationship with the council?
They see us as litigious, but we’re just concerned with process and we don’t feel the council is listening. The relationship has broken down under this current regime. Sometimes court action is the only way we can get things done.
Does Titahi Bay Residents Association represent residents in the Bay?
We’ve never said that. We have advocated for a number of issues in Titahi Bay, but we have policies that have been in place since 1995. If you want to become a member, you need to abide by these policies. We make no apology for that.
In that case should you get rid of the word residents from your name?
No, it’s been that way for 19 years, so we’re not going to change. When we’re in court, the name means something. It stands for something historically because of previous court cases. We need that consistency.
Is the residents’ association a closed shop?
We’re not difficult to join, but we have rules for those who want to. It’s the way things have always been, so you have to wonder why people are talking about it now. There are people with agendas in this community and they are creating the friction and controversy, not us. We have a number of new members and two new faces [ Pat Kelly and Michelle Collins] on our committee — all the recent publicity has actually helped us!
What about the Titahi Bay Collective, formed last month? Could you see any sort of relationship with them?
That’s down to them. We’re happy to work alongside them and we could complement each other. They have their areas that they will deal with, like fairs and other community activities, and good luck to them. It would be nice to know some of their policies.
Where do you stand with the 2005 Titahi Bay Village plan and what action are you planning?
A working group [separ- ate from the residents’ association] has been established to work with the council over the review of village plan, which we think is unfair and is shutting out a section of the community. They have not held one public meeting.
What else are you up to?
We’re still working to get traffic calming in View Rd and want more information from the council over Porirua Little Theatre and its future. We want its historic values preserved and the building restored, but want to see it used by the community, not just one group. The Saturn cable monitoring is ongoing.
Do you envisage any of this ending in court?
It might, and we’ll be ready if it comes to that. At the end of the day we will hold public meetings over certain issues and if we get a mandate on behalf of residents for something, we will fight for it.