DESPATCHES # 41 MAY 30TH 2009
NEWS FROM THE WESTERN FRONT
NZAID – KOROIPITA 2 / VOLUNTEERS 2009
PART I
- FLOODS & RELIEF
The relief shipments are tapering off – at our Williams & Goslings terminal we processed:
27 containers in the name of Rotary Club Lautoka
27 containers for other consignees
Total 54
This was a huge response. At one stage it looked like the Berlin airlift . Peter would like to focus now on the K2 project. There has been a flood of DIK project containers since as well …6 more , including the 40ft from Bellerieve - Hobart for the schools project
PART 2
NZ AID - KOROIPITA 2 PROJECT
2.0 NZ AID Budgets/ Progress - K2 Project
2.1 NZAID has been reviewing the project in 2 phases:
- First 6 months (B6)
- to completion (five years in all)
2.2 On 15th April, the Fiji dollar was devalued by 20%. Now called the Pacific Peso This will have the effect of raising prices especially on imported components such as steel cladding, fuel, baked beans etc. In fact imported items will rise mostly by +25%. On the other hand, this balances out because it will cost NZAID fewer NZ $ dollars to buy extra Fiji dollars. We have submitted a revised budget - in fine detail, adjusting for likely impacts. This included a narrative explaining the percentage increase on every item
The day after the devaluation Peter went into RB Patels and cleaned out every tin of beans . That price is the Baked bean Index BBI of global fiscal wellness .
2.3 NZAID has received this revised budget and their review will continue, as we answer queries . Within three weeks we hope to receive a draft of the Phase 1 (B6) Grant Funding Arrangement (GFA).
2.4 The second phase is more complicated …but the focus is on getting the B6 budget nailed, and the GFA signed, and the Governance Board operating, and funds in the bank – to start K2.
2.5 So the news from Wellington NZAID is more positive , but it does not alter the timing indicated in the last issue of despatches. (D40). It is imperative we receive funds in the next 4 , max 6 weeks – the stakes are very very high now .
3.0 Progress - Lining up the Ducks
3.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is progressing well as we keep pumping information to the EIA team in Suva. This should be complete even before we receive NZAID funds. It was paid for by the Government of Fiji – Department of Housing ($21,400.00).
3.2 The Land Lease documentation is progressing well at Native Lands Trust Board. We submitted survey plans to acquire two access roads to the new depot / base site at K2 , and a report to NZAID .
4.0 Model Towns Trust (MTT)
4.1 The name “Rotahomes” describes the homes we have built ….782 of them …but it does not describe the towns / communities we build .
4.2 The first phase budget (B6) funds for the K2 project will be under a contract arrangement between NZAID and the local registered Charitable Trust viz Rotary Club of Lautoka. Thereafter, we will select another Fiji based ‘auspicing” entity following a tender process. This is a requirement by NZAID – to appoint a larger organization with capacity to provide inputs and contribute to governance for this large scale complex project.
4.3 Meanwhile, a local law firm is drafting legal documentation for the formation of a new entity called the ‘Model Towns Trust’.(MIT)
- The MTT will in time take over the management of Koroipita and possibly develop new towns using the same model. The model has strong support from the Fiji Government. We have pioneered practical legal and institutional structures that will work in the complex native land tenure system in Fiji .
The MTT will provide very long term Trustee over-sight and practical support to the town . We estimate Koroipita will need 30 years of support . They have a Town Council and a Town Clerk , but there must be an over-sight body to support them and to ensure , above all else , that the land rent contributions are collected – and the rent gets paid every year .
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We already have the capacity for this task – 5 full time Aus . volunteer staff – and with NZAID funds , 3 locals including the Town Clerk to be appointed .
4.5 We are well aware that the RI 3H Grant must continue as a binding contract with the Rotary Club of Lautoka until this component of K2 is complete, reported, file closed by RI.
4.6 We are also refining the legal instruments relating to Koroipita, such as Occupation License Rules, and the Policy and Operations Manual. The new Town Clerk is proving highly skilled and capable. The Town Council (KTC) has a surplus of $15,000 and they are paying the land rent and for more and more maintenance items – toward independence.
5.0 Staff Levels – K2 Preparations/ Office
Our new Chartered engineer John Yalden and his wife Emma joined the team on May 13th. This is a huge boost for the project .
John has already set up his office at his house and is on-line . He has met all the local authorities and he is already working on engineering detail – including the septic system . We will soon begin a set of trials to measure actual family water useage - and flows .
The NZAID budget (B6 – and beyond) provides for the appointment of full time local staff as well - an administration assistant, field assistant/driver and the KTC Town Clerk. That would make eight staff and eventually Peter will join the team for two to three days/ week (plus all weekend). We obviously need a Town office and soon. We are working on options….but money isn’t talking yet .
In time we will review the suitability of the Great Hall to be built at K2 –as an Office, but doubts have arisen about distance and doubling as accommodation for volunteers.
6.0 The Great Hall and Workshop – K2
We are still determining options, including a quote from a local firm to build these in steel frame. It is clear these will not be built in time to house volunteers in 2009 – but that will be the case in 2010.
We are asking the Department of Town and Country Planning to permit us to gain access to this site early on in the development of K2.
PART 3
VOLUNTEERS 2009/ 2010
We originally had 13 teams booked for 2009. The message has been consistent for some time i.e. NZAID funds may be close, but too late to get engineering designs completed and Government approvals in place for the teams to be able to work anywhere near K2
We now have added concerns (rightly or wrongly) about security etc and Peter’s concerns about how to fund material purchases for the teams this year.
The good news is that most teams have postponed until 2010. The few that remain will find plenty to do and have a fun and fruitful time.
Teams Booked (Still) 2009
May
- Rotorua West (9) Led By? (Good question)
10 May - 15th John Shaw / Ben B.
Successful tour. Built a major concrete drain system and retaining wall and foundations for a concrete toilet block. Made lotsa noise and the dogs went quiet
JUNE
- Hobart, TAS (14)
Denys, Veena Tilley – schools project - ETA 30 May, 2.15pm
This large team will focus on upgrading schools and computers , libraries etc . – where there are kids from Koroipita .
- Albury North, ( 2 Rotarians + 3 Apprentices): 5
30 May, ARRIVED – 14 June KevinScanlon @ bigpond.com
(BLC 05/ - 07/06) alf.armstrong.johnsonsmme.com.au
- St. Peters College ADL (12 + 3 = 15)
24 June - 3 July ETA 24/06 FJ 391 - 7pm
Accommodate Cathay Hotel phadfield@stpeters.sa.edu.au
JULY
- RC Stanthorpe (8?)
Mid July - dates? Hal Lyons/ David Lee
This team is reviewing progress on NZAID and will decide later. If they postpone, they will come in 2010.
- RC Brookvale (7)
July 19th – ETA 6pm – (24-26 /07/09
Confirmed Liz McDougall
NOVEMBER
- St Andrews Cathedral School (16+2)
17 - 20 November Rosie Tours michell.nicholas@au.pinpoint.biz
- Tara Anglican/ Rosie (Schoolies) (9)
Nov 15th -19th Sally Groups
Donation up to $1500.00 S.Middlebrook@staff.tara.nsw.edu.au
Have I Missed Anyone?
SSV’s / Individual Apprentices
- Joe and Rita Meuris (ADL) ETA 05th June
- RC Bentleigh/Moorabbin – Ref Tony Ryan – apprentice July, August and September…to join a team.
tonyryan@connexus.net.au
Accommodation
The teams are small, well spaced and the large teams (e.g. St Peters College) have booked into a hotel in Lautoka, therefore we will not rent a house in the city this year. Small teams all at Peters place – easy.
Transport
The Rotorua West team (9) managed with the Rotamobile; therefore, the smaller teams will be okay too. An un-named person (Rotorua) managed to get booked for no seat- belt …this is a first , testament to his inability to persuade the constabulary of the charitable nature of our mission .
JOBS
Rotorua West did well in a short time on that wall and the new concrete toilet block foundations . The remaining teams will be working on the jobs as below in no fixed sequence – yet.
Firstly yet another look at the K2 time table
Mid June – NZAID approves B6 budget?
3RD WEEK June - NZAID sends draft GFA
END JUNE – Agree GFA – sign off
MID July – First Tranche (of 2) from B6 (6 months)
The stakes are very high – we are commiting to rent and travel and other team costs we do not have funds to cover …this is make or break time
Already fast track engineering drafting and seek approvals from RCA/ DTCP
Sept - Approval to access new depot site / base
- Fence site
September - Commence foundations Great Hall and Workshop
End November - Complete…then the rains can come
Etc.
Clearly, the volunteer teams of 2009 will not be involved at K2, but the above is intended to show that we MUST have lift off in 2009.
Behind the scenes the Governance Board and administration teams, accounting systems etc will be getting to work.
So back to K1- Task List;
Sub – Projects – 2009
1/09 Extend store - room (3m×5m)
To enable us to free up the bakery and get it into operation - Cost $2487.00
Funds OK – Ruth Storr, Quanah McBride
2/09 Tile and Upgrade Kindy Building F$2953.00
Tile floor, cupboards, inbuilt seating
Reserved for St. Peters team/ Joe Meuris
Funds RC Ferntree Gully.
3/09 Extend Std House F $1790.00
- Occupied by 11 people
-Funds RC Castle Hill
4/09 Extend Std house #2 F$1790.00
- Funds RC Castle Hill
5/09 Repair roof on house #82 F $850.00
-Funds RC Castle Hill
6/09 Step Way – Block 3 F $1400.00?
A $880.00
This is a step connecting a terrace of homes to Geelong Street. I have not decided yet on whether to build this in concrete or timber and the cost is indicative.
Sponsor needed please, we could correspond later to fix the cost.
7/09 General Maintenance
Hundreds of jobs - repaint shutters and doors and replace a few, minor concreting areas padlocks, etc, etc.
Funding from Koroipita Town Council (demonstrating independence)
Part 4
Time is up – K2 or not to K2
.NZAID is reviewing the budget and applying the necessary processes – and we are responding to queries on the budget, e.g. design/costing detail on the great hall – etc.
Let me explain why it is imperative we get some funds in the next 4 weeks (max) 6 weeks;
1: We have assembled a large and impressive team progressing K2 design even before we receive funds, the latest, our engineer John Yalden - and Emma is also highly qualified. They are SELF FUNDING, but we have to contribute e.g. for rent. Until NZAID funds them.
2: There was work permit fees (2), initial establishment costs, transport etc.
3: Meanwhile we continue to (part) fund a community Development program, at K2 – without a funding base. We run 2 vans, the “Rotamobile” is (possibly) 30 years old now, the Datsun 25 years, the roads are rough as guts, Recently we paid $950 for one vehicles alone wheel tax, 4 tyres and some repairs. Fuel is the killer now.
4: We need a town office to consolidate operations but we have shelved for that now.
5: Van running costs over the past 2 years have put us into a deficit - but I think we can manage our way out of this with help from our friends of RC Belvior Wodonga, Aunty Ruth (san Diego) and Tom Goninon (again).
6: we continue to design / cost / build sub projects to keep Saten and Bigfoot employed and supplied …….nobody funds, stationary, post, computer equipment, phones, insurance and super, - when volunteers have to pay their own official phone calls it gets a bit much. Peter is tired of endless subprojects as worthy as they might - be but we will be exhausted BEFORE we start K2.
7: If we do not get a stable and broader-FUNDING BASE within 4 (max) 6 weeks I will have to begin winding down the Rotahomes establishment.
This means;
- Final rent payments
- Park up the vans
- Short hours for Saten, lay off Bigfoot
- Freeze spending on everything like projects; - go to low-level maintenance only, funded by town council.
- Last volunteers for 09 – RC Brookvale
- Subsequent teams may actually bring funds of specific projects, and may be ok.
8: The stakes are VERY VERY HIGH
9: If we wind the establishment down it will be very difficult indeed to regain momentum.
10: The Model Towns Trust will have to be formed anyway for long term trusteeship of K1, but K2 could trip up badly, and soon.
We understand NZAID needs to undertake their processes but we are well into a 5th year and everyone should be surprised we have stayed afloat this long and achieved great preparatory work for K2. We just need FUNDS!!
The support from friends in out network has been nothing short of brilliant.
We are making yet another emergency submission to the Fiji Govt. to bridge us for some costs but we cannot expect them to stump up repeatedly at short notice .
We cannot go on turning to you for help – and hopefully it will have good news soon. It will have to be soon. Insofar as we are in command of all things at all times – it will indeed be soon .
CDR Peter
GHQ pacific
GEN/O 41-09
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