Media statement: Roskill Community Voice backs Three Kings Alternative Plan in Environment Court, despite Auckland Council gagging

“The Roskill Community Voice team on the Puketapapa Local Board have formally voted to back the local Three Kings community and the alternative development scheme for Three Kings, developed by leading landscape architect Richard Reid”, say Local Board members Harry Doig and Michael Wood

“At a Local Board meeting last week, we formally expressed our support for the alternative plan developed by Mr Reid and gave it our political endorsement, even though Auckland Council is formally gagging the Local Board from being heard in the Environment Court case about the Three Kings development” says Mr Doig.

“Mr Reid’s alternative development scheme (available here) has our support because:

• It delivers a strong residential yield, allowing for high-quality medium density development in the quarry, and supporting further residential development opportunities for surrounding land-owners.
• It provides adequate open space and communal space for apartment dwellers and the local community.
• It respects and rehabilitates our remaining maunga Te Tatua-a- Riukiuta/Big King by providing a sufficient buffer between development and the cone.
• It is a high quality, modern design that creates connections across the community, and enables local residents to walk, cycle, or easily connect to public transport.

On every count, Mr Reid’s alternative plan is superior to the Fletcher Residential Plan, which raids and effectively privatises public reserve land, compromises Big King, and creates housing in a large depression up to nineteen metres deep, disconnected from the surrounding community”, says Mr Wood.

“Auckland Council has now formally blocked the Local Board from being heard in the Environment Court process on behalf of the local community. However the Board has given its political endorsement to Board members Harry Doig and Michael Wood giving evidence in their personal capacities in support of the alternative plan. Disappointingly, the C&R minority on the Board have called for the Board to be “passive by-standers” and continue to support the Fletchers position, rather than the local community”, says Mr Doig.

“The re-development of Three Kings is a major issue in our community and a huge opportunity if done well. We and the community support high quality medium density housing, developed in sympathy with the sensitive volcanic landscape, and connected to the surrounding community”, says Mr Wood.

ENDS

Contact:

Harry Doig: 027 241 2209

Michael Wood: 022 659 6360

Media release: Local Board will fight Three Kings Land Exchange Decision

Local Board will fight Three Kings Land Exchange Decision

“Today’s decision by the Auckland Development Committee (ADC) to support the proposed Three Kings land exchange (for recommendation to the Minister) will be fought by the Puketapapa Local Board”, say Roskill Community Voice members of the Puketapapa Local Board; Harry Doig, Julie Fairey, David Holm, and Michael Wood. 

“On behalf of our community, we made a reasonable request today: that one other option for development of the site be seriously considered before a land exchange proceeds. We were disappointed that the ADC was unwilling to commit Council to a serious consideration of the alternative, a plan developed by leading landscape architect Richard Reid”

“We find it astonishing that a major land transaction involving public land worth many tens of millions of dollars may proceed with no thorough consideration of the options, and we note that the option that is proceeding is based solely on the proposal tabled by the developer (Fletcher Residential) at the beginning of the process”

“Many Aucklanders who care deeply about our volcanic landscape will also be alarmed to learn that the proposal approved by Council, which builds around the flanks of Te tatua a Riukiuta (Big King) has not had a landscape assessment completed. At a time when Auckland is preparing a World Heritage status bid for our Maunga it seems extraordinary that Council would approve a plan that involves large buildings up against Big King’s edge, while ignoring a development plan put forward by one of New Zealand’s leading experts in the rehabilitation of volcanic landscapes”

“We also lament the lost opportunity to build some unity around one of Auckland’s largest brownfield intensification projects. We support significant residential development on the site, and so would the community were there a proper process to address legitimate concerns such as the need to rehabilitate the volcanic landscape. If this is how Auckland Council manages large scale intensification with a pro-compact-city Local Board, how badly will things go in other areas? Alienating and cutting out Local Boards will lead to chaos and division at a time when Auckland desperately needs unity to build more houses” 

“Our Local Board has consistently advocated for a quality development at Three Kings that takes account of the volcanic landscape. We could build a large number of houses on the site, while respecting and enhancing our natural heritage and responding to community expectations. It is unfortunate that Auckland Council has turned its back on that opportunity. We reserve our options to fight this poor decision”, say the Board members.

ENDS

Contact:

Michael Wood – 022-659-6360

RCV Policy on Town Centres and Economic Development

We need a focused local policy on economic development issues that provides jobs, supports local enterprises, and revitalises our run-down town centres.

Specific policy includes:

• Bringing a greater focus on to the development of an integrated high quality town centre at Stoddard Rd, including development of a Precinct Plan. 
• The development of retail strategy for local and town centres to support the development of a clear retail identity for each area, and a strategic approach to growth. 
• Working with the Mt Roskill Business & Community Groups Association on initiatives to encourage local people to ‘buy local’. 
• A strong focus on improvements to Roskill Main Street, including establishment of a trial dollar for dollar subsidy scheme to improve the appearance of shops. 
• Development of a local economic development plan that builds on Roskill’s strengths and focusses on local high-wage jobs. 
• Support for the Living Wage, which will put more money into the pockets of local people to spend in our community. 
• Fostering local young people into training and apprenticeships, and advocating for a tertiary education provider to provide services in Roskill

A full index of our policy can be found here, updated regularly as we release policy throughout the election campaign.

RCV Policy on Planning

Our community has been the victim of a lack of planning and vision for too long. We want to see thriving neighbourhoods, exciting town centres, quality urban environments, and appropriate affordable housing for our families. This will only happen through wide-ranging community involvement and strong local leadership.

Specific local policy on planning issues includes: 

Three Kings Issues The implementation of our comprehensive ‘Vision for Three Kings’ policy platform, including: 

• Creation of a dedicated 3 Kings planning spokesperson on the Board. 
• Removal of the reservoir on Big King to return our maunga to a more natural state. Prior to this, the restoration of an attractive mural on the reservoir such as ‘Grumpy Cat’ 
• Advocating for the quarry development to include: 
• Restoration of Maunga and better open space as priorities 
• Affordable housing and social housing 
• High quality housing integrated into open space and town centre 
• A reduction in the proposed 8 storey height limit. 
• Protection and promotion of Three Kings heritage. 

Unitary Plan Issues 

• Providing appropriate capacity for growth around our town centres and key transport routes, while ensuring quality development and protection of open space and heritage. 
• A stronger focus on affordable and social housing for our community. 
• Advocating for well-considered intensification in Wesley, and Roskill South, with more distribution along main transport routes. 
• Strongly advocating for community input and better notification of developments. 
• Dealing with flooding. Advocacy for improved stormwater infrastructure, and better planning rules to prevent inappropriate development. 
• Strong protections for our local environment, heritage, and volcanic cones (including viewshafts)

An index of our released policy can be found here, we are continuing to release policy through-out the campaign.

Update on the Mt Roskill Borough Council Chambers

Many people are interested in the future of our iconic Borough Council chambers on the corner of Mt Albert and Mt Eden Rds in Three Kings. Yesterday the issue was raised by a correspondent to 'Ask Phoebe' in the Herald.

This has been a major issue for us over the past couple of years. The building was closed down in 2011 due to water ingress and toxic black mould. It was effectively a leaky building due to shoddy renovations in the 1990s. Following that, there was a real push from some parts of Council to 'exit and demolish' the building.

We fought hard against that and ensured that the Board put it a strong position in favour of restoration. Garth Houltham and the Mt Roskill (Puketapapa) Historical Society organised a 1000 strong petition of local residents in support of saving the Chambers.

In March of this year a deputation from the Local Board was successful in getting Council to take the 'exit and demolish' option off the table. the next step is to secure the funding to restore the building.

We maintain that it must be restored for civic and community use. The building is of immense local heritage value, and is one of the few remianing landmarks from Mt Roskill's heady development in the post-war period. Restoring the building will provide much needed community space, and the additional cost will not be much more that demolishing it and finding the Local Board a permanent new home.

Next month the Board will send a deputation to Council's Strategy and Finance Committee to try and advance the business case for investing in the restoration. Our local heritage matters and we will be fighting hard for restoration.

Media release: Time to stop the neglect of Mt Roskill

Roskill Community Voice Media Release

22 August 2013

Time to stop the neglect of Mt Roskill - 26% funding gap a shocker 

“Mt Roskill continues to be neglected by Auckland Council, and our election campaign is about winning a fair share for our community”, says Roskill Community Voice candidate for the Puketapapa Local Board Michael Wood.

“Local residents will be shocked to learn that Council systemically under-funds our community. In the Auckland Council Long-term Plan, average funding per capita across all Local Board areas (excluding obvious outliers) is $2.42 per head. In Puketapapa/Mt Roskill, the figure is $1.78 per head – 26% less funding per person*. Looking ahead, the planned capital expenditure for Puketapapa/Mt Roskill is even worse”, says Roskill Community Voice candidate Julie Fairey.

“These are not abstract figures, they mean that people in our community have access to fewer facilities and services, receive lower service standards, and that there is less funding to advance local initiatives. For every dollar spent on these items elsewhere, 74 cents is spent in Mt Roskill. This woeful state of affairs is a result of decades of neglect when there was little energy put into advancing Roskill’s interests within the broader Council structure”, says Michael Wood.

“Our campaign is about turning that around. During our time on the Board since 2010, Roskill Community Voice has spoken up strongly on a range of issues to ensure that Roskill gets heard. Within Council we have pushed for a review of Local Board funding, which is now underway. In our current campaign we are fighting for Roskill to be heard on a range of fronts:
Willing a fair share for our community
Burying the Pylons
Protecting our environment and restoring our neglected maunga
Taking action to stop more pokies and liquor stores in our community"

“Fundamentally, our community needs a team of active and energetic Board members if we want to be heard”, says Julie Fairey.

“Local voters can expect to receive their voting papers one month from today. In that month we will be vigorously taking our campaign for a fair share for Roskill to the people of our community. We encourage all local people to consider the issues and speak up for Roskill at the election so that our community gets its fair share”, says Michael Wood.

ENDS

*Figures taken from Auckland Council Long Term Plan. Average regional figure excludes Waitemata, Waiheke, and Great Barrier Local Boards, each of which have very high per capita figures due to location of regional facilities in the case of Waitemata, and very low populations in the case of the islands. Inclusion of these Boards would have made the ‘gap’ even higher.

Full spreadsheet of figures available on request. 

Contact: Michael Wood – 09 620 9257 or 022 659 6360

A Vision For Three Kings - policy package

Introduction

The Roskill Community Voice team is proud to announce our Vision for Three Kings, an integrated policy platform that we present to the community ahead of the local government elections this year.

We believe that it is important that the local community can have confidence that their representatives have comprehensive and well-thought out policies on key local issues, and we hope that this document helps you to understand the approach we will take if elected to the Puketapapa Local Board.

We all know that change is on the horizon for Three Kings. The re-development of Three Kings Quarry is likely to commence within the next 5-10 years, and plans for what the end use will be are already under development. The Unitary Plan may also result in changes to the look and feel of the Three Kings community, with most parts of Auckland being zoned for some degree of intensification.

Change cannot be avoided, but it is our belief that the local community must have a strong voice to ensure that it is our community’s vision that shapes the future of Three Kings.

We have been listening to the community over the past three years and have developed a set of policies that respond to key local concerns.

Our Vision sets out policy in four key areas:

• A plan to restore Big King, our neglected maunga.

• Our vision for a quality development on the quarry site, with real public amenity

• Proposed Unitary Plan provisions and how we ensure quality development

• Protection and promotion of our local heritage and character

Most importantly, we believe that local community must have a strong voice in charting the future of Three Kings. We will always ensure that the residents and groups of Three Kings are informed and involved in decisions about Three Kings and we are open to good new ideas and perspectives.

We are excited about our Vision for Three Kings and with your support, hope to be able to implement this vision on the new Local Board. Please contact us with any questions or comments.

Restore Big King

We believe that it is time for real leadership in our community to restore our neglected maunga. Big King/Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta is a source of local identity and pride, but it has been treated poorly over many years. With focus, resources, and a partnership approach we believe that Big King can have its mana restored and public amenity improved.

Action we will take:

• We have led the public process to get public art back on the reservoir after ‘Grumpy Cat’ was removed. In the short-term we will work with the local community to identify the preferred concept, and we will then work with Watercare to get this actioned.

• Longer-term we believe that the reservoir must be removed from Big King. We acknowledge that this will involve working with Watercare on technical issues and that it will not be resolved quickly. However, it is time to make a start. Removing the reservoir is about respecting the maunga as a place that is important for iwi and community, and not just seeing it as a prop for infrastructure.

• With co-management of Auckland’s volcanic cones coming soon we believe it important that the Board builds a strong relationship between itself, local community, and the Tamaki Collective, so that a collaborative plan for restoring Big King can be developed.

• We will support the creation of a Friends of Big King group so that there is a clear channel for the community to be engaged around maunga issues.

• Within the first year of the new Board, we will establish a dedicated budget line for restoration of Roskill’s two volcanic cones.

• In the short-term, we will look to fund a range of measures to improve community access and amenity including a renewal of the crumbling path and improvements for dog users.

• We will establish a programme to better control rats and possums around Big King, including a scheme for neighbouring residents to receive free or low-cost possum traps.

We are running a postcard campaign to show the strength of the community support for restoring Big King and removing the reservoir.   Please contact us to get involved.  We also have signs that you can put on your fence to show your support!

A Quality Quarry Development

The re-development of Three Kings quarry is the major planning issue faced by the Three Kings community over the next decade. It is absolutely critical that there is a strong community voice in this process, and that the development is focussed on people and community. We believe that a high quality and appropriately scaled development, with strong open space connections and linkages to the town centre, could be of real community benefit.

Action we will take:

 

• To recognise the importance of quarry development issues for the Three Kings area, we will create a dedicated Board portfolio position for Three Kings development issues.

• We will work with Auckland Transport to develop an integrated transport interchange at an appropriate location so that public transport becomes easier for locals to use.

• Take a firm position with the developer (Fletchers) on behalf of the community to support a development that balances private and public space, enhancing community integration.

• Strong advocacy for the development to assist in the restoration of Big King/Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta, and to better connect Big King with other reserves in the area.

• We will strongly support completion of the current Precinct planning process and also the development of a community- led ‘precinct layer’ that will have effect in the Unitary Plan. 

We will put forward the following three principles to guide the formation of the ‘precinct layer’ and any subsequent development:

Principle 1.  Community and Iwi Involvement:  The future development of the quarry site is the major public concern of the Three Kings community and is of intense interest across the Puketapapa/Mt Roskill

area. For iwi the site is of immense historical and cultural interest. The site is being privately developed, but given its scale and impact on local people, there must be strong community and iwi involvement in the process. Community and iwi are more than just stakeholders' to be consulted. They are legitimate partners in a major undertaking that we will live with for generations to come. The quarry owner (Fletchers) must enter into a genuine partnership approach to reach the best possible outcomes for the site.

Principle 2.  Public Access and Open Space: Our community has been cut off from good quality access to Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta for too long. Future development of the site must substantially improve public access to and around the maunga, and ensure that important public viewshafts are not compromised. Any plans to create a large residential presence in the quarry area must be balanced against the need for a significant net increase in the amount of quality, well connected public space in the area. This will serve to increase the attractiveness of any residential development, to provide  community amenity, and to meet restoration objectives for the site. The site should not be developed simply to maximise private profit, but also to provide for the public good.

Principle 3.  Quality Development that Builds Community:  The scale of potential development on the quarry site means that it will have a substantial impact on the urban form and nature of community in the broader Three Kings area. It is essential that any residential development be comprehensively planned with the strong involvement of the community. Development must be sympathetic to the local community and environment, provide good transport connections, integrate with a re-vitalised town centre, and be in line with the Auckland Plan vision of creating a truly 'liveable city' - including provision for affordable and social housing. A 'hole in the ground gated community' is not acceptable. This must be a place that is inclusive, attractive, and contributes to overall community cohesion and wellbeing.

The Unitary Plan

We want to see the future development of Three Kings done in a careful and sensitive way.   Gentle intensification as envisaged by the Unitary Plan can be done well, but we must ensure that development is appropriate to local conditions. Local input into the ongoing development of the community is essential.

Action we will take:

• We will support high quality intensification in appropriate places. The preservation of character and amenity must be prioritised.

• Advocacy for a reduction in the 8 story maximum height limit proposed for Three Kings Town Centre and the development of a fine grained approach to heights so that we get a local solution that works for this area rather than a cookie-cutter approach imposed from above.

• We will place major emphasis on the quality of new developments and sympathy with neighbouring properties, including the use of graduated buffer zones so that there are more gentle changes in height, rather than the scenario of a large block next to a small villa.

• Working to ensure that Three Kings remains a place that people can afford to live in, with access to affordable and social housing. We will work with HNZ to ensure good quality redevelopment of existing public housing stock, preserving or increasing number of properties, and ensuring integration of housing types to avoid ghettoisation.

• In line with our position over the past term, we will advocate for much stronger notification requirements before significant developments go to consent so that local community can provide meaningful input.

• Strongly advocate for local flooding issues to be dealt with. Advocacy for improved stormwater infrastructure before there is large-scale development, and better planning rules to prevent inappropriate development.

• We will argue for strong protection of our local heritage, including support for the pre-1944 demolition controls, and the identification and protection of important heritage sites and character zones.

Protection of Local Heritage and Character

Three Kings was in many ways the birthplace of modern Mt Roskill. We have a rich local history, including significant patterns of Maori and colonial settlement. This heritage gives our community real heart and soul. It must be protected and celebrated. We have led the way in elevating Roskill’s heritage over the past three years and will ensure that it is there for future generations to treasure.

Action we will take:

• We will continue to push for the sympathetic restoration of the iconic Mt Roskill Municipal Chambers for civic and community use.
  

• Continue the development and roll-out of heritage interpretive signs to complement existing signs and the new suffrage memorial (due to open 19 September at the Rose Gardens)

• The development of 3 Kings Heritage trail taking in key local buildings, features, and sites, so that local heritage can be better understood.

• Continued strong advocacy for planning rules and zoning that protects key heritage sites and character zones in Three Kings.

We have produced this in booklet format as well - please contact us if you would like a copy.

Media statement: Community seek discussion with The Warehouse about Pah Rd development

Community seek discussion with The Warehouse about Pah Rd development

“Community members are calling on The Warehouse to meet with them to discuss their concerns about the new store being constructed on Pah Rd,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

As legal channels to stop or change the “big box” retail development on Pah Rd have been exhausted, the community is now writing to the CEO of The Warehouse.  “Locals want to know how The Warehouse intends to address their concerns around noise, traffic, parking, flooding, and construction, as well as the impact of the store on the Royal Oak Town Centre and nearby parks,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

“As a company committed to New Zealand communities we are hoping that The Warehouse will be open to public dialogue on this issue, and that we can find some ways to mitigate the negatives of this development,” says Wood.

A community letter was sent yesterday by 12 community members, including two Members of Parliament, to The Warehouse’s CEO, Mark Powell.  The letter outlines the concerns and questions of the community, and seeks a response from The Warehouse by way of a community meeting to discuss the development.  Further groups and individuals are being approached to support the community letter, including the Maungakiekie-Tamaki and Puketapapa Local Boards.   A copy of the letter is appended below, after the background information on the issue. 

“We look forward to a positive response from The Warehouse, and are hopeful that there are some steps they can take to ease the concerns of the community.  Perhaps with some inventive thinking The Warehouse can make sure this development is a bargain for the local community too,” said Fairey.

ENDS

Background:

The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” retail store, with associated carparking and additional retail tenancies and road changes, has been undertaken by Eldamos Investments.  The sites the development would cover are 100 Pah Rd (formerly the site of the Holeproof factory), 677, 677A and 679 Mount Albert Rd.  The total retail floor area would be 7500m2, with carparking less than the minimum required under current regulations. 

The resource consent notification for this proposal was notified on November 5^th 2010.  It did not go in City Scene, as past notifications of this nature would have, because City Scene was no longer being published as a result of the Auckland Council amalgamation which took effect on November 1^st 2010.  Roskill Community Voice leafleted approximately 500 local households in early December 2010 to encourage public submissions, whether for, against or neutral. We were surprised to discover that many locals did not know about the resource consent at all, or The Warehouse’s plans.  This was only a matter of a few days before submissions closed on December 10th.  With the assistance of Councillor Cathy Casey, we sought an extension to the submission deadline, however this was declined by the CEO of Auckland Council.  Given the high level of contact we received from locals on this issue we organised a public meeting in the area to gain broader community feedback on the proposal. In mid December 2010 over 70 people attended this public meeting about the proposal and voted unanimously to oppose it.  In late January 2011  Roskill Community Voice began circulating a petition  amongst local residents, opposing the development.  

Of the 23 submissions made on the resource consent application, 21 opposed the application, while the remaining 2 were neutral.  Those submitting against included the James Wallace Arts Trust, the Onehunga Business Association, and the Parks, Sport and Recreation department of the Auckland Council.  All local residents who submitted on the proposal indicated they opposed it.  Carol Beaumont MP submitted against the proposal as well, presenting a 300-signature strong petition to the commissioners. 

The decision of the three independent commissioners was released on April 13^th.  A community meeting was held on 8^th May to discuss next steps, and from that efforts were undertaken by the community to pursue an Environment Court appeal, but this was unable to proceed.  Since then an informal organising group of locals has been established, and determined that the next step was to send a letter from the community to The Warehouse raising the key issues and seeking a response by way of a community meeting.  The letter was sent by email on 7^th October, and by post on 8^th October. 

Community letter to The Warehouse

 7^th October 2011

Mark Powell
Group Chief Executive Officer
The Warehouse Group Limited
26 The Warehouse Way
Northcote
AUCKLAND 0627
Also sent by email via: redonline@thewarehouse.co.nz

Dear Mr Powell,

RE:  Pah Rd Warehouse development, Royal Oak

We, the undersigned, are writing to raise the extensive community concerns about the development of a “The Warehouse” store on Pah Rd in Royal Oak.  We want you to understand our concerns, and to take on board our suggestions for mitigating the effect of the development on our community. We hope that now that the legal process around resource consents is complete, The Warehouse will be open to a productive conversation with the community.  For the store, and accompanying tenancies, to succeed, it would be helpful to work with the community as much as possible.  We write in hope of beginning that dialogue.

This letter will outline the key concerns and questions that the community has communicated to date.  

We would like to invite representatives from The Warehouse to attend a community meeting in the Royal Oak area in October or November to have a dialogue with the community, by specifically responding to the following points:

1. Areas of concern

Many people have identified concerns relating to the Pah Rd site being an inappropriate place for big box retail.  While this remains the view of some of those who are signatories to this letter, as the development is now consented and highly likely to proceed, we are focusing on concerns that can be addressed by how The Warehouse chooses to develop their store and associated tenancies and facilities such as carparks.

1.1.             Traffic

Mt Albert Rd and Pah Rd are currently very busy arterial routes.  The intersection of the two streets is already problematic.  It was scheduled for review by Auckland Transport, however due to the Warehouse development that has been delayed, pending the completion of construction.  The Warehouse’s plans rely on some changes to the road layouts of Pah and Mt Albert Rds, to allow for dedicated turning lanes into and out of the 100 Pah Rd site.  Given the mode of transport for the Warehouse’s customer base is  acknowledged to be largely by private car, it seems likely that traffic on these roads will increase once the Warehouse is open, in addition to an increase in truck traffic during construction. 

1.2.             Parking

On-street parking is already at a premium in the area, particularly during sports events at Seymour Park.  With Auckland Transport introducing clearways on Pah Rd this is only likely to be exacerbated in the near future.  In addition local residents have expressed particular concern about where staff for the Warehouse will park once it is operational, as the number of parks the Warehouse indicated it would put aside for staff does not seem sufficient for the number of staff likely to be working in the building, let alone the associated tenancies. 

1.3.             Noise, dust & rubbish

These are particularly concerns during construction.   Locals report a problem with dust at the moment, since the site has been levelled for construction.  Additionally there are concerns about the possibilities for unintended use of the carpark while the shops are closed, creating noise and rubbish for the neighbourhood.  An example of such unintended use might be for “burn outs” or similar gatherings inappropriate to the residential surrounds.

1.4.             Impact on Royal Oak Town Centre

While the commissioners found that the 100 Pah Rd site forms part of the town centre, there will be significant difficulties integrating the site into the existing town centre, especially in relation to crossing Mt Albert Rd.  It seems likely that shoppers visiting the Warehouse will drive there, possibly even from the Royal Oak shops, and may indeed by-pass the existing town centre as a result. 

1.5.             Impact on Seymour Park

The parking aspect has been addressed above, however there remain concerns about the flooding impact on Seymour Park from having a large site directly across the road effectively sealed over. 

1.6.             Visual impact

Concerns have been raised regarding the monolithic, and often brightly coloured, appearance of Warehouse stores and signage.  This has been a particular worry for those interested in protecting and enhancing the view from Monte Cecilia Park and the Pah Homestead.  The Sanitarium buildings next door are currently painted in a colour scheme that does somewhat lessen the visual impact of the factory on the environment. 

2.        Questions:

2.1          What is the planned building timetable?

2.2          What intentions does The Warehouse have around letting the associated tenancies on the same site?

2.3          What measures, if any, will The Warehouse undertake to encourage the use of other modes of transport, besides private cars, by staff and customers?

2.4          How does The Warehouse intend to integrate the new development with the Royal Oak town centre?

2.5          What measures, if any, is The Warehouse taking with the development of the site to minimise the lifting of flooding levels in surrounding sites, in particular at Seymour Park’s sportsgrounds?

2.6          How does The Warehouse intend to monitor noise and dust levels, particularly during construction, and at what levels will the Warehouse take actions to decrease the noise and dust levels?

2.7          What will the final development look like?  We would appreciate the community being provided with a copy of a mock-up of what the Warehouse development could look like from the Pah Rd frontage, the Mt Albert Rd frontage, and looking down over it from Pah Homestead.

2.8          Will the Warehouse establish a Liaison Group with the local community, in a similar model to the group operated with Sanitarium and local residents, to allow an avenue to raise future concerns and seek to have them addressed?

In closing, we would appreciate contact from The Warehouse acknowledging receipt of this letter, and indicating when in October or November we could arrange a community meeting to hear your response to these concerns and questions. 

Please contact Julie Fairey on 021 287 9900 or Julie.fairey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz in the first instance.

We look forward to your response.

Yours truly,

Suresh Rama, Garth Houltham, Anna Kofoed, Julie Fairey, Dr Jackie Blue MP, Mike & Glenda Williams, David Christensen, Michael Wood, Sharon Coyle, Jenny Goddard,  and Carol Beaumont MP.

On behalf of concerned community members

Bob Dey reports on the Pah Rd Warehouse decision

Bob Dey's Property Report - Pah Rd Warehouse gets consent, locals consider appeal

(There was also a Central Leader article in late April, however it does not seem to be available online)

Links to Pah Rd Warehouse reports on Auckland Council website

These documents all relate to the February 15th - 17th 2011 hearing held by Auckland Council, chaired by Kitt Littlejohn, with fellow commissioners Greg Hill and Craig Shearer. 

Agenda for the Auckland Council hearing - including a list of all the submitters and what happens at a hearing

Council planning report for the Auckland Council hearing - recommending that the application be declined

Decision report from the indepedent commissioners on the Auckland Council hearing - granting approval

Herald on Albert-Eden-Roskill ward in 2010 election

Published in the Herald print edition, Tuesday September 14th 2010, including the following:

...The vast Albert-Eden-Roskill ward is facing dissection by two new powerful forces.

They are not political forces, but transport corridors. The Waterview Connection and the proposed Dominion Rd upgrade both cut through the heart of the new ward, and are the biggest talking points heading into next month's election.

With one councillor to 75,000 people in Albert-Eden-Roskill, candidates for the two local boards (Puketapapa, Albert-Eden) say they will have councillor-like status if elected. The competition is stiff, with 42 candidates competing for 16 seats.

...Puketapapa, commonly known as Mt Roskill, is also Labour territory but has traditionally voted for Citizens and Ratepayers on the strength of the Hay family and their conservative Christian vote. The territory is no longer the Bible belt of Auckland, and C&R face a challenge from a new political ticket, Roskill Community Voice, aligned with City Vision.

Roskill Community Voice are challenging Citizens and Ratepayers on two controversial proposals - the removal of the Monte Cecilia School in Hillsborough and the proposed upgrade of Dominion Rd. The $30 million relocation of the Catholic school to create space around the Pah Homestead has been called a "shameful" waste of money by the group.

The council has also proposed to make Dominion Road a T2 highway, which would require the removal of parking spaces on the road. Businesses at the Mt Roskill end say it would ruin their trade.

Roskill Community Voice wanted an end to the "neglect" of Mt Roskill's shopping centre, which is in stark contrast to the Eden Village at the other end of Dominion Rd.

C&R felt the most important issues were giving a voice to the diverse communities in the Puketapapa region, and lifting young people out of unemployment...

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Media Statement: New survey shows Mt Roskill sick of being ignored

"A new survey reveals that Mt Roskill residents and shopkeepers are sick of their main shopping area being ignored", says Michael Wood a spokesperson for Roskill Community Voice, the new team contesting the Local Board elections in Puketapapa.

"Our survey shows that our run down shopping strip on Dominion Rd is in desperate need of attention. We have hit the street to survey local shopkeepers and shoppers, and their verdict is overwhelming. 73% say that the Council has not done enough to support the area, while 91% say that more people would shop on Dominion Rd if the area was improved," says Garth Houltham, another Roskill Community Voice candidate.

"Local shop keepers are also fuming about the C&R Councils plans to remove street parking. They are genuinely fearful that this move will kill their businesses. Roskill Community Voice is committing to stopping the process if elected, and going back to the drawing board with full public hearings on the Dominion Rd plans", continues Wood.

"All in all, local residents and businesses have had a gutsful of being ignored. We are a humble suburb, but we pay rates and we deserve some attention and support too. We want to see a proper precinct plan developed for Mt Roskill so that we can plan for a vibrant future that is good for business and local residents," continues Mr Houltham.

"Mt Roskill needs to be listened to, and we need some investment in our town centre. We need to support local businesses, and give the community a centre that it can be proud of. C&R have failed to deliver, and are now ramming through a poorly thought through plan. A new team is needed to give our community a voice", concludes Wood.

ENDS