July/August 2016
Look out for the Trust’s Annual General Meeting at the Blueskin Library later this month. We report on what we’ve done in the past year, sometimes new Trustees step up and experienced Trustees step down, we discuss our long term strategy and we listen to new ideas. So put 7pm, the 16th August in your diary now – all welcome!
Last year we applied for funding to the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board and this past June we were pleased to receive a $250 donation from the WCCB to help with our computing costs. We’re also very grateful to Antoinette O’Flanagan and the Purakaunui school parents who put on a hilarious performance of "The Rainmaker", which not only entertained, but also raised $1000 for Purakaunui School and $250 for the Trust. Many of you have made donations via our Givealittle link or directly through Payroll Giving, and we are deeply appreciative of your donations as they allow us to continue to provide our community services or assist with project work. So thank you all.
Our Climate Safe House project has been receiving attention recently, with the development of a work programme, additional sponsorship, and growing partnerships. This is shaping up to be a three year project and in the first stage involves developing options for residents in high hazard zones affected by climate change and involves residents in evaluating possible solutions.
Our services continue to be both in deman
d and to expand. We’ve made further bulk wood deliveries, supplied insulation to another household, and our Home Performance Assessment service is busy. That’s not too surprising for this time of year, as people want to improve their health and wellbeing and the recommendations from an expert advisor can assist homeowners to make the right decisions at the right price. The new Residential Tenancies Regulations mean that landlords will now be breaking the law if they don’t meet the new smoke alarm and insulation requirements. The Trust is now able to provide Healthy Rental Certification for landlords, so that they can confirm that they comply with the act.
We submitted on the Healthy Homes Guarantee Act (2) in June, after consultation with the Community Energy Network Firewood logs arriving for local homes and Cosy Homes. Submissions and contributions to regulations and plans are really important as they help to create better legislation. We’re in the fortunate position of being able to advocate on the basis of hard won experience – that tends to give our submissions more credibility.
Finally, we want to spread the message again that if you know anyone in North East Valley who would benefit from an expert Home Performance Assessment, they might be eligible for a free full assessment – get them to contact us or the Valley Project directly. Similarly, we have a limited free offer to all Dunedin residents for extended Home Performance Assessments. We are seeking applications from people who own their own home and want to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. We are proud to support the Cosy Homes mission and invest in climate action.
You can find us on Facebook as Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust, on Twitter as @BlueskinPower and you can call 03 4822048 or call in to visit and find out more about any of our work. Our office is located in Waitati at Waitati School and you can contact us by email at: [email protected].
By Scott Willis