Red Bull Trolley Derby Grand Prix this Sunday
Road closures in The Domain from Saturday
Crowds of up to 50,000 are expected in The Domain this weekend for the third annual Red Bull Trolley Derby Grand Prix. Last held in 2005, following a first derby in 2003, this year's Derby attracted thousands of entries for the 100 slots.
Contestants on the day will be judged on the basis of the following criteria, at the absolute discretion of the judges: (i) Creativity (maximum of 50 points); (ii) Race Performance of their Trolley and team (maximum of 50 points); and (iii) Race Time (electronically timed and recorded in seconds). (From Rule 20!) Incentives for fame include some very worthwhile prizes: first place = $10,000, second = $6,000, third = $4,000. Fastest down the hill = $2,500 and Most Awesome = $2,500.
Each of the 100 trolley entrants has a team of four plus a daredevil driver to race their crazy or earnest creation down Lower Domain Drive. The event kicks off at 11am Sunday 10th April.
Road closures: Outside of the Christmas in the Park events, this is one of the biggest events staged at The Domain and takes a lot of preparation, including advance road closures:
- Lower Domain Drive (between Domain Drive and Stanley Street) from 6am Saturday 09 April to 3am Monday 11 April
- Domain Drive (between Park Road and Titoki Street) from 7pm Saturday 09 April to 3am Monday 11 April
-The Crescent (between Domain Drive and Cenotaph Road) from 7pm Friday 08 April to 3am Monday 11 April
Get your business on Google Maps before RWC2011
You'll immediately improve your Google ranking!
Here's an easy thing for every business owner to do before RWC2011: make sure your business is listed on Google Maps AND that you, as the business owner, have claimed your listing!
It will take only a few minutes of your time, but your efforts will be rewarded - by this simple step you will improve your Google ranking AND, if your business is not already mapped, gain an additional Google listing. This is DIY search engine optimisation (SEO) and it is not difficult! Get your business info on Google Maps and increase your visibility to any RWC visitor looking for Parnell on the web, including from mobile phones.
Shona Loxton, owner of Galtons of Parnell, says adding details to Galtons' map link was so easy and only took a few minutes. Now, a Google search for Galtons and Parnell shows the store's own website first, followed by its Google Map listing showing map!
Currently there are many Parnell businesses with Google Maps listings, however only a small number of business owners have taken control of their listings. It's worth getting on to this now as Google reports that it can take up to a month for any reported issues to be fixed.
Use Google Places to create your free listing. When potential customers search Google Maps for local information, they'll find your business: your address, hours of operation, even photos of your storefront or products. It's easy, free, and you don't need a website of your own – which is especially good news for businesses without one! You'll need a (free) Google account to start off if you haven't already got one. (Your Gmail details do the trick!)
On Google Places you can edit your Google Map entry and add key details (including phone, address, website, business categories, and business hours), and even photos or videos. It also pays to check that Google has correctly located your business on the map and has the right street photo associated with it! A photo showing the side of your building, not your shop front won't do you any favours!
Looking at Google Maps you may wonder why only some businesses are visible and highlighted with place labels (eg knife & fork symbol for restaurants and coffee cup for cafés). Google explains that these are determined "algorithmically based on a large number of factors" – these include number of citations and search volume for your business. However accuracy of the business listing and the richness of its content is an important factor, so "you can improve the chances that your business will receive a place label if you claim it in Google Places." Having a Wikipedia entry also helps according to one SEO blogger!
Having lots of customer reviews on your Google Map listing also helps boost your Google ranking – so encourage customers to write good ones! Restaurants and Cafés attract a lot of customer reviews, which probably explains their prominence on Google Maps. Unfortunately bad reviews attract the same attention and you can't have these removed just because you don't like them. Business owners will need to work hard to counter negative comments - here's an Ezine article that gives some ideas on how to go about this.
Read more on using Google Maps to improve your search engine ranking.
The Auckland Plan & Auckland City Centre Masterplan
Your chance to submit your wish list for Parnell
Auckland Council and its local boards, including our Waitemata Local Board, are now seeking input for the complex series of plans that will determine the future shape of Auckland.
Also of relevance to residents and business owners in Parnell
is the Auckland City Centre Masterplan.
The Discussion Document for the Masterplan was released earlier this week and feedback is requested to help shape the draft City Centre Masterplan. to be released in July/August 2011.
This is your opportunity to submit your wish list for Parnell and the improvements or changes you'd like to see in our suburb.
The Waitemata Local Board invites its constituents to submit ideas to be included in its Local Board Plan, which feeds into the Auckland (spatial) Plan. The Board provided a good overview of the planning process at their community engagement launch function, held last week. (See the presentation here.)
Over the coming weeks there are a number of meetings to help people understand the planning process and how citizens can contribute to our city's future. A few of these include:
Len Brown on 100 days, 100 projects: EMA Supercity Forum Part 3
Wednesday, 13 April 2011,
12-2 pm.
Join the EMA in the first public audience to hear Auckland Mayor Len Brown deliver his official report detailing his first 100 days and 100 projects. Find out what his projects have achieved for Auckland. How will they affect your business? Has he been true to his word? Don't miss your chance to have a say in the future of the new Auckland City.
Where: Ellerslie Events Centre,
Cost: EMA Members: $59.00 + GST*
Non Members: $79.00 + GST* *Includes sit down buffet lunch. Register here
Waitemata Local Board Plan: Workshop for young people
Wednesday, 13 April 2011, 4-6pm.
Jesse Chalmers, the Waitemata Local Board member youth contact, invites you to share your thoughts at a workshop for young people.
The workshop will be a fun and informal session for you to share your views on topics like events, the environment, transport and parks. Delicious snacks will be provided!
Where: Jubilee Library Room, Auckland Girls Grammar School.
To RSVP : Txt Jesse, on 021 344 174; Join the event on Facebook; Tell your teacher
Links:
Auckland Plan website
Full Auckland Plan discussion document
Will your business be open over Easter?
Let us know - you'll go on our Easter page
If you're open over Easter, we want to let people know! Parnell Inc. will let hotel concierges and Auckland's i-Sites know who is going to be open in Parnell over Easter, and we'll post this information on www.parnell.net.nz/Parnell_Easter.htm. Please email your Easter plans to info@parnell.net.nz by Monday, April 18.
Easter, with its combination of Public Holiday days and Restricted Trading days, is often a confusing time for owners of businesses that would normally operate over weekends and public holidays.
If you're new to retailing in Parnell, you might not know that the Parnell Road shopping area is one of the few places in the country that has an exemption to trade* on Easter Sunday - so make the most of it!
For employers and retail businesses, here's a summary of Easter trading restrictions:
Good Friday, April 22: Public Holiday + Restricted Trading Day
Saturday, April 23: business as usual
Easter Sunday, April 24: Restricted Trading Day BUT Parnell exemption to trade*
Easter Monday + ANZAC Day, April 25: Public Holiday + Restricted Trading to 1pm
*We've expanded on trading restrictions, employment issues re holiday days and those public holiday surcharges on a document you can download here.
Your thoughts on Auckland's new bus routes
Parnell on proposed new Link and Outer Loop routes
from members to add to our feedback, particularly if you believe the new routes may adversely affect public transport servicing Parnell. Currently, Parnell Inc.'s comments would be that we have no objection to the proposed new routes given that, together, the new Link and Outer Loop routes (supplemented with the new Inner City Service) will provide good access between the CBD and Parnell. However, we see this as an opportunity for Auckland to enhance its bus services, particularly for tourists, by providing:
1. Greatly improved signage at the Outer Loop's Britomart stop, clearly
indicating where to catch the bus to Parnell - a key tourist destination.
2. Either integrated ticketing to allow people to easily change buses between the Link and Outer Loop (for example, to make it easier for people who might want to come from Britomart to Parnell on the Outer Loop, and then transfer to the Link to return to the CBD via Wellesley
Street) or bus travel day passes to facilitate travel around the city.
If you would like us to include your comments in our feedback, please email info@parnell.net.nz before Thursday April 14.
See: Proposed changes to Auckland's CBD and inner suburbs buses
Provide independent
feedback on the proposed changes
Parnell Inc. Special General Meeting next week
Wednesday April 13th
Parnell Inc. members are reminded that a Special General Meeting of the members will be held at 5.45pm on Wednesday 13 April 2011, at the offices of MacDonald Pilcher Partnership, 92 Parnell Road.
At the meeting, Parnell Inc. members will consider a Special Resolution to be moved on behalf of the Parnell Inc. Committee: That Parnell Inc. adopts revised constitution rules; these changes to the rules being necessary following the formation of Auckland Council in 2010. A copy of the proposed revised Parnell Inc. Constitution can be viewed here.
Please send apologies or RSVPs to info@parnell.net.nz.
Parnell Inc. information for members
Members can access information on Parnell Inc., including Committee contacts, financials, meeting reports, Constitution and the targeted rate from www.parnell.net.nz/Parnell_Inc.htm
What's happening in Parnell...
Events to look forward to!
See our website for further details
More news & event updates on our Facebook page
Parnell - The Creative Quarter and on Eventfinder.co.nz
Thursday, April 7th 6.30pm |
Late at the Museum: Middle East: Revolution and Culture |
| Saturday, April 9 & Sunday, April 10, 10am - 4pm |
|
| Sunday, April 10th 11am | Red Bull Trolley Derby Grand Prix |
Thursday, April 14th 5.30 - 7.30pm |
Late Night Art in Parnell Galleries on Parnell Road stay open late! Take an art (de)tour before dinner in Parnell! Parnell galleries are serving up a tempting smorgasbord of New Zealand art - the perfect entrée to a night in Parnell. More info |
Thursday, April 14th  |
Winemaker's Dinner at Iguacu, hosted by Hans Herzog Hans brings 40 years of winemaking in Switzerland to his boutique Marlborough Vineyard. Enjoy great company and a five-course meal matched with six premium wines. The evening will be hosted by Hans and will feature some exclusive wines that are usually not available for sale. Click here to see the menu! Tickets must be pre-purchased and are strictly limited. For further details ph (09) 358 4804, visit www.iguacu.co.nz or email info@iguacu.co.nz |
Friday 22 - Monday 25, April |
Easter, featuring Anzac Day Easter is later in April this year and for the first time Anzac Day falls on Easter Monday. Parnell Inc. is preparing a listing of shops, cafes and restaurants open in Parnell over Easter. |
Saturday, May 7th 10am - 4pm |
 Parnell Road May Market DayAs always, our May Market Day falls on the day before Mother's Day, making this a great time to visit Parnell in search of very special presents and treats along Parnell Road. |
Concerts at Vector Arena |
April 18: Bruno Mars April 21: Our:House presents DEADMAU5 April 23 + 24: The Wiggles Greatest Hits April 30: Bob Dylan May 3: Disturbed May 6: Andre Rieu May 7: Katy Perry |
Mainline Stream Depot Open DayCouncil matters
Auckland Council's Customer Service number is 301 0101 for 24 hr service. If you spot anything amiss please call Auckland Council to make a report or request service. www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Council news: General Revaluation of Auckland properties
Work is currently underway on a General Revaluation of all properties in Auckland, due for publication late 2011. The revaluation project involves the assessment of rating values on all 510,000 properties within Auckland and is a joint project undertaken by Auckland Council's in-house valuation team and Quotable Value.
The revaluation will see the amalgamation of the separate District Valuation Rolls of the seven former territorial authorities, which contain different revaluation dates and rateable value bases, into a single District Valuation Roll with a common revaluation date and rateable value,
Former territorial authority: Auckland City Council
Last general revaluation:1.07.2008
Valuation service provider for 1.7.2011 valuation: Auckland Council in–house valuers
The effective date of valuation will be 1 July 2011, with rates to be levied on the new valuations from 1 July 2012 and based on capital value, which is the rating base prescribed in statute. New valuation notices will be sent to property owners at the end of the year and the normal statutory rights of objection will apply.
To ensure this process is as robust and transparent as possible a project team and steering committee have been set up and an independent Project Manager appointed to manage the project. The revaluation is subject to audit from the Valuer-General and his certification is required prior to publication. Auckland Council will release more detail about the revaluation during the course of the year including confirmation of dates and indicative value movements.