A New Chapter

A lot has happened in the last six months. Sadly the mechanisms of council and public corporate restructuring have put changes in motion. Our Log Cabin was inspected in July by the community tenancy coordinator of the Manukau City Council. At this checkup she spoke of the need for a new formal lease.

To cut a long saga short the lease proposal put forward requires our not-for-profit society to front up for an annual lease of NZD $14,000 when our current yearly income is lest the NZD $1000.

The Maraetai Beachlands Arts & Crafts Society members held a vote and rejected the Manukau City Council's offered lease so as of 31st January 2010 we are out.

This is the end of the era which began in 1976 when this society first took up a peppercorn lease on the Council building. We used to pay $16 a year. All electricity is paid separately by us and insurances.

The Council restructuring in that time has changed drastically and now the land on which this building is situated is under a separate Manukau 'Parks' entity from the corporate Manukau CCO (Council Controlled Organisation) which governs with user pays policies for community facilities. Ironically half of the $14,000 is what the CCO pays the Parks in rates ie, Manukau City Council is paying itself. The other half is what the Council pays the contractor who checks the water is potable once a week.

My personal hope is that our vacating this building does not place it back in line for demolition because I cannot see who will agree to take on this outragious lease in our stead.

Activities Update

Just an update

Activities @ The Log Cabin

Tuesday mornings during school term the Log Cabin Hobbies Group meets to make handcrafted items to be raffled for our emergency services.
Come along and join them from 9.30 am till 11.30 am and enjoy a cup of tea for 30c.

Wednesday morning Jacqueline's Art Class come along and learn to paint or draw 9 am till 11.30 and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as class rounds up. $20 per session.

Wednesday evenings during school term come along and enjoy a Buddhist discussion group.

Thursday afternoon come along and join the Card 500 Players, this is a nice social card playing group, have a game and enjoy a cup of tea.

Friday mornings, come and join the Mosaic artists group this is a social group for mosaicists to meet and work this group is not a tuition session and the cost is $5 per week.

The New Look Beachlands Log Cabin

Sunkist Bay at sunset view from Log Cabin car park

The Log Cabin as is looks now!!

The other buildings on the reserve were demolished last year.

The Beachlands Log Cabin re-piling project was completed about a year ago now, Like most public works the good work was all done on the outside and surprise surprise very little done on the inside. The area arround the Log Cabin was cleared of two dilapidated buildings making the space far more welcoming.

What was meant to be done:
1. Clean lichen moss etc off roof
2. Sand down, prepare and repaint all exterior, including barge boards. Remove rot in porch step at front.
3. Jack up building, replace rotting/deficient piles with new.
4. Remove chimney, install concrete pad and replace chimney onto it
5. Sand down and thoroughly prepare all interior surfaces and repaint.
6. Replace bench in kitchen with stainless steel, including new sink and taps
7. Incorporate stove into bench
8. Install new cupboards under bench
9. Windows may need easing and re-hanging following the leveling and repiling of the building

What was actually done:
1. Lichen moss etc cleaned off roof
2. Exterior wall water blasted and painted, including barge boards. Rot removed in porch step at front, and most of the bottom exterior logs.
3. Jack up building, replace rotting/deficient piles with new.
4. Chimney collapsed due to zero support when building was lifted see photo below, install concrete pad and replace chimney onto it
5. The windows were covered in perspex sheilds to prevent the ongoing vandalism of the smaller window pains.

The most important reason to celebrate is that the Manukau City Council did not demolish it.

News:

The Maraetai Beachlands Arts & Crafts Society Incorporated is now in discussion with council over a possible formal Tenancy Lease. The Society has been in an informal lease arrangement with Council since 1977.