Public meeting: Pylon Pollution - what next?

Where to now in the battle against pylon pollution?

HAVE YOUR SAY AT A PUBLIC MEETING ON SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER AT 2PM

AT SAINT DAVID'S IN THE FIELDS CHURCH  202 HILLSBOROUGH ROAD

Speakers:            

Hon. Phil Goff - MP For Mt Roskill

Jim Jackson – Chair of the Manukau Harbour Restoration Society, CEO of Jackson Electrical

David Holm - Member of the Puketapapa Local Board

Simon Randall - Chair of the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Local Board

In August 2013, Roskill Community Voice, a team contesting the Puketapapa Local Board Election,launched a petition aimed at progressing the undergrounding of the high voltage electricity transmission and removal of pylons which blight many areas of Auckland and some other urban areas. This followed from a discussion document by the national electricity grid operator Transpower  in April 2013 on undergrounding.

Two identical petitions, one centred on Onehunga led by Carol Beaumont and the other in Hillsborough and Mt. Roskill led by David Holm, now a Board Member, received widespread support with a total of 2816 signatures verified. It was presented to Parliament's Commerce Committee in December 2013 by Phil Goff , M.P. For Mt. Roskill.

The petitions sought a commitment to “undergrounding high-voltage transmission lines through urban areas over a reasonable period of time having regard to the resources this entails” using money set aside from Transpower's annual dividends to meet the long term costs. It also asked for  investigation of technology, planning requirements and resourcing to achieve cost effective solutions to undergrounding.

The Commerce Committee conducted hearings into the petitions in April 2014 and May and June 2015. Transpower responded to the petition in a letter dated 5 December 2014 which was provided to the petitioners for a response made in April 2015. The Electricity Authority and the  Commerce Commission also presented responses to the petitions.

The Committee Report on the petitions was released in Sepember 2015. The majority stated that “We do not believe that a Government inquiry could add much more value at this point.”  The three Labour members of the Committee provided a minority report stating that “Transpower and the Government majority on the committee ignore the overwhelming views expressed by local people. They do not want transmission lines and pylons over their properties or to damage sensitive environmental areas like Onehunga and Hillsborough Bays.”

WHERE TO NOW?

The recently opened  Onehunga Foreshore restoration and the tunneling of the Waterview Connection shows that concerted public advocacy for environmental restoration can persuade government infrastructure providers to invest in improvements.

Transpower has ceased using pylons for new projects in urban areas.There are opportunities to engage with their Environment Manager and the Transpower Community Care Fund which assists communities affected by Transpower assets or projects.

The petitions were supported by Chairs of five local boards and more are sympathetic.

The 2016 local elections offers opportunities to gain support for undergrounding through pledges from candidates for Mayor, Auckland Council and local boards.

The new Auckland Council development agency Panuku Development Auckland is keen on unlocking opportunities in Onehunga including the port area and may be encouraged to help investigate the benefits from more efficient land use without pylons.

Please come along and give us your responses to these suggestions and any other ideas for future actions. You can also reach us by email at roskillcv@gmail.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/roskillcv

Puketāpapa Local Board resolutions on Liston Village

This will record resolutions and similar position statements made by the Puketapapa Local Board in relation to Liston Village, in chronological order from oldest to newest.

From the Puketāpapa Local Board Plan 2014
Under Key Initiatives for Healthy, Safe People and Places, p44:

Investigate options for increasing supply of affordable community and social housing, including advocating to retain existing social housing at Liston Village.   

From the Minutes of the 28th August 2015 Puketāpapa Local Board business meeting, pp10, 11

Item 16 Puketāpapa Local Board Small Local Improvement Projects (SLIPs) Programme 2014- 2015 
Resolution number PKTPP/2014/163
MOVED by Deputy Chairperson HAJ Doig, seconded by Member MP Wood:

That the Puketāpapa Local Board:
a) acknowledges receipt of the Puketāpapa Local Board 2014/2015 SLIPs funding summary programme
b) delegates authority to the spokesperson to provide guidance and advice to the SLIPs team regarding their allocated proposals and delegates authority to the spokesperson and chair of the board, to be exercised together, to make additional funding decisions where a variation to a project scope is needed due to unforeseen circumstances
...
q) allocates $10,000 SLIPs Operational budget towards a study to establish the feasibility of retaining community social housing for the elderly at the Liston Village site in Hillsborough (when it transfers to Council ownership) and to provide advice about the ownership and governance options for preserving the village as community social housing for the elderly through a partnership arrangement between Auckland Council and a third sector housing provider.

r) request that expert advice on the community social housing sector is sought as part of the report.

s) delegates Member MP Wood to act as spokesperson for this project and to consult with affected stakeholders about the Board’s approach.

t) agrees to advocate to the Governing Body for additional social housing in Puketāpapa
...

CARRIED



From the Minutes of the 27th August 2015 Puketāpapa Local Board business meeting, p8-9

Item 14.2  Board Member report - Michael Wood 
Resolution number PKTPP/2015/170
MOVED by Member MP Wood, seconded by Deputy Chairperson HAJ Doig:

That the Puketāpapa Local Board:
a) receive the report for August 2015.
...
c) receive the “Liston Village Housing for the Elderly Scoping Report” dated 26 August 2015 and:

i) note the findings of the report including information concerning the high level of unmet need for social housing in Hillsborough, and a general growth in demand for social housing for the elderly.

ii) authorise further detailed work to be carried out in line with the recommendations on page 20 of the report, utilising LDI funding for “Affordable and social housing options”.

iii) authorise release of the report to the public and authorise Member Wood to present the report to the Seniors Panel, the Community Development and Safety Committee and any other relevant Council bodies.

CARRIED

A copy of the Liston Village Housing for the Elderly – Stage One: Scoping report will be placed on the official minutes and is available on the Auckland Council website as a minute attachment.


Article "Monte Cecilia Park: Puketāpapa advocates to retain Liston Village" on Auckland Council news website Our Auckland - October 7th 2015

Media release: Stretched Council Budget should not be used to demolish Liston Village

Ahead of this weekend's public meeting to oppose the demolition of Liston Village, the fiscal costs of the plan are being questioned.

"We believe that it is wrong to demolish a successful social housing community for Seniors in the middle of a housing crisis. We also believe it is the wrong priority for Council to spend its stretched budget on the unpopular demolition plan", says Roskill Community Voice member of the Puketapapa Local Board Michael Wood.

"Multiple industry sources have indicated that demolition of the twenty five units could cost up to one million dollars, based on broad standard costings. Any plans to develop the space as parkland over and above grass would require additional funding"

"We all know that Council budgets are under enormous pressure. Why would such a large sum be spent on a project that removes desperately needed social housing for Seniors when there are other pressing needs in our city? This is not a project that the local community wants"

"The plan to demolish Liston was agreed by the old Auckland City Council just before it was amalgamated. Our campaign will call on the new Auckland Council to re-visit that decision. We believe that a strong community campaign can convince Council to move away from the wasteful demolition plan it has inherited"

"The campaign to save the village will be formally launched at a public meeting on Sunday 11 October from 2pm at the Fickling Centre, Three Kings. Phil Goff MP, Councillor Cathy Casey, Local Board member Michael Wood, and Anne-Marie Coury from Grey Power will all be speaking in support of the campaign. All are welcome", says Michael Wood.

ENDS

Contact:

Michael Wood – 022-659-6360

Event page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/935572809844061/

Save Liston Village media coverage

The Save Liston Village campaign coverage will be listed here, with links:

• Liston Retirement Village vital to Auckland - Central Leader on 27th August
• Battle to save retirement site - NZ Herald on 6th October
• Local Auckland group opposes demolition of pensioner village - Checkpoint (audio) on 7th October
• What's happening at Monte Cecilia Park - Our Auckland (Auckland Council website) on 7th October
• Petition ramps up campaign to save Liston Village - Central Leader on 14th October
• Puketapapa advocates to retain Liston Village - Our Auckland (Auckland Council website) on 14th October

Media release: Campaign to Save Liston Village launched

“In the middle of a housing crisis, how can it be that Auckland Council is planning to demolish a thriving social housing community for Senior Citizens?”, asks Roskill Community Voice member of the Puketapapa Local Board Michael Wood , who is organising a community campaign and public meeting to save Liston Village.

“Liston Village is a community of Senior citizens in Hillsborough. There are twenty five good quality units and it has been a part of the Puketapapa/Mt Roskill community since 1983. Under a deal between Council and the Catholic Diocese struck in the dying days of Auckland City Council, the Village will be purchased by Council. The current plan is to demolish the village to increase the entrance-way to Monte Cecilia Park”

“This plan made limited sense in 2010, and even less in 2015 during a housing crisis. Independent research commissioned by the Puketapapa Local Board confirms that there is a growing population of ‘financially stressed’ Seniors in Puketapapa/Mt Roskill, and that Hillsborough has the highest unmet need for social housing in Auckland”.

“How can it be that the benefits of widening the entrance-way to Monte Cecilia Park outweigh the benefits of retaining a functional social housing community for our Seniors? How can it be that it is a good use of Council funds to demolish the village in a tight fiscal environment?”

“We are calling on Auckland Council to take the required policy steps to stop the demolition and retain Liston Village. A broad community coalition is coming together to support the campaign, and a petition will be launched at our public meeting on 11 October. Speaking at the meeting will be:

•        MP for Mt Roskill Phil Goff
•        Albert-Eden-Roskill Governing Body member Cathy Casey
•        Auckland isthmus Grey Power President Anne-Marie Coury
•        Puketapapa Local Board member Michael Wood

“All are welcome to the public meeting which will be held at 2pm on Sunday 11 October at the Fickling Centre, Three Kings. Working together we can stand up for our Seniors, and convince Auckland Council to save Liston Village”, says Michael Wood

ENDS

Contact:

Michael Wood – 022-659-6360

Event page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/935572809844061/

Final Campaign Post

There are just 24 hours left to cast your votes in the 2013 Auckland Council elections.

We are urging all local people to make the effort to vote. At this late stage you will need to take your completed voting papers to the Mt Roskill (or any other library) and deposit them in the ballot box before 12noon on Saturday.

The Roskill Community Voice team has thoroughly enjoyed the campaign. We've done everything that we can to engage the local community, focussing on important local issues and running an energetic campaign on the streets of Puketapapa/Mt Roskill.

Our campaign has been focussed on a number of key issues:

1) Winning a Fair Share for Mt Roskill
We say that it is simply unfair that our community receives just 74c of funding from Auckland Council for every $1 spent elsewhere. This legacy of neglect must be turned around and we are the team who will fight for a fair deal.

2) Bury the Pylons
The Pylons that march across our communities and harbour are a blight on our neighbourhoods and Harbour. They would not be accepted in the eastern suburbs and the Waitemata Harbour. We have a responsible plan to underground the pylons and our campaign is building momentum.

3) Looking after our environment and restoring our cones
We are the team who has put real energy into looking after our Foreshore, streams, and maunga over the past term. If re-elected we will have a strong focus on restoring Puketapapa/Mt Roskill and Big King/Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta.

4) Reducing harms in our community
The Roskill Community Voice team has consistently stood up to reduce harms in our community and we will push to reduce the harm caused by pokies and corner liquor stores in our community.

Further to this we are the only team to produce comprehensive policy so that voters have transparency ahead of the election. We've also run high energy local campaigns to engage with local people and involve community in local issues, including Bury the Pylons, A Vision for Three Kings, and Fairness for Wesley.

We have been able to achieve a lot with two RCV members on the Board over the past term and we know that a full RCV Board will have the skills and vision to provide Puketapapa/Mt Roskill with real leadership in the next term if voters give us that mandate.

Stand up for a Fair Share for Mt Roskill: Vote Roskill Community Voice for Puketapapa Local Board and City Vision for Ward Councillors.

Championing the Manukau Foreshore

The Manukau Foreshore is an ecological and recreational gem. We love the native bush, the picnic spots, the track network, the hidden beaches, and the wonderful bird life.

On the Puketapapa Local Board we have been champions for the Foreshore, Michael has overseeen

work in this area as the Board's Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio-holder. He has also been a keen rat and possum trapper along the foreshore over the past eight years. 

We've been able to achieve a lot over the past three years, including:

• Overseeing extensions to the track network at Waikowhai, Hillsborough Cemetery, and Cape Horn.
•  Leading the project to develop a new coastal walkway linking Onehunga to Taylors Bay.
•  Developing a community-led vision for the Foreshore to guide our priorities in the years to come.
•  Securing a ten year funding programme to control weeds along the coastal reserves, now in action.
•  Pushing for the development of the new walkway through Lynfield Reserve (under construction).
•  Taking action to protect and preserve the historic Waikowhai changing sheds.
•  Launching the campaign to Bury the Pylons that blight our Foreshore and neighbourhoods.

In the next term we want to build on this work, and in particular we are keen to help support the newly formed Waikowhai Forest Restoration Network, and to make further progress on completing the track network, including the provision of useful, integrated signage, and appropriate facilities.

With your support we can further enhance this very special place in our community.

Bury the Pylons campaign marches on

Following on from reaching our first 1000 signatures on the Bury the Pylons petition, the campaign is

pushing on to build  even greater momentum.

At last week's gathering at Taylor's Bay, the Roskill Community Voice team handed over the first 1000 petition signatures to Phil Goff MP. The petition will be formally tabled for consideration in Parliament - an important part of getting our case heard. At the gathering we announced the next steps in the campaign:

1) We are aiming for 5000 petition signatures by the end of 2013. We have a solid start and a lot of community interest. Achieving 5000+ signatures will make it much harder for the issue to be ignored.

2) Establishing a community working group to oversee out campaign and petition collecting. This will simply be a small group of local people who will work together to ensure we reach our goals and plan our activities. If you are interested please contact us.

3) Setting up a Facebook page as a source of promotion and contact for the campaign. Coming soon!

The Bury the Pylons campaign has generated huge community interest. The pylons need to go, but it will take a strong campaign that combines community pressure with political leadership to achieve our objective. We have made a great start - let's keep going!

Bury the Pylons - First 1000 signatures handed over!

David Holm has written a short update on the Bury The Pylons campaign, reporting on the handover of the first 1000 signatures on the petition on Sautrday 21st Sept.  

The first 1000 signatures on the Bury the Pylons petition were presented last week to Phil Goff , M.P. for Mt. Roskill, at Taylors Bay near some of the most unsightly pylons in the Manukau Harbour. 

Phil told a group of local supporters about how his father, now aged over 90 had swum in the area when young. He pointed out that the $20 million plus improvements to the Onehunga foreshore would be hugely enhanced if the adjacent pylons were removed. All new Transpower lines in urban areas in New Zealand are now undergrounded.

At the latest count, petition signatures are well past halfway to the second thousand. The offer for places to display  "Bury the Pylons" signs is well in excess of the number of signs available. 

At a public meeting in Onehunga, Transpower representatives stated that they are receptive to opportunities to underground lines, provided funds are available from government or other sources. The petition points to the dividends being paid by Transpower to the Government which this year reached $295 million.

RCV Policy on Community Development and Facilities

Council can play a key role in bringing our community together, providing facilities, resourcing, and expertise to help our community develop and grow. We support an active and engaging approach in which grassroots community determines local priorities.

Specific local policy includes:

• Heightened support for local community groups through better access to funding streams, appropriate and timely advice, provision of appropriate space, and creating functional partnerships with Council.
• Development of ‘Garden web’ type networks that bring people together around community projects
• Creation of new community space at Hillsborough/Monte Cecilia and in the restored Mt Roskill Municipal Chambers.
• Advocacy for library services to be provided in the Wesley area, which currently has some of the poorest library access on the isthmus.
• Advocacy for a Living Wage so that work is rewarded, local people can live with dignity, and spending power in our local economy is increased.
• Establishing a local children’s panel to ensure that we receive input from our youngest citizens.
• Provide more small scale community notice boards at local shopping areas to help keep the community connected.
• Supporting local events that fit with community priorities and support local groups to deliver them.

Aircraft Noise - locals speak up

Roskill Community Voice candidate Harry Doig went to a very revealing public meeting on

Thursday night called to discuss the new aircraft flight paths over Auckland. 

Auckland Airport, Airways NZ and Air NZ are trialing new routes (SMART Approaches) into the Auckland airport with the aim of reducing the miles flown by aircraft, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions, and (supposedly) better managing noise for residential communities!   

300 residents were present at the meeting - very impressive. Not so impressive was the attitude of officials from Auckland Airport and Airways NZ who were there. "Very arrogant" and "patronising" were the words used to describe their stance. People reporting increased noise levels were accused of "imagining things" and being "led on" by articles in the Central Leader. Comment of the evening came from Judy Nichol (Auckland Airport) "We didn't tell anyone about the trial because we wanted to see whether anyone noticed any difference in noise levels." What! "But we do want to consult with the community now." A bit late Judy. The trial finishes in October this year.

Intriguingly what developed during the meeting were questions about what other changes are being trialed alongside the SMART Approaches?   The officials were quick to put down many noise complaints because they weren't part of the new approach routes.  If this is the case then something else is going on because thousands of residents are being affected by increased aircraft noise from aircraft evidently on the old routes as well as the new routes .

What we want is meaningful consultation including information that hasn't been massaged to suit the proposed changes.  And a cost benefit analysis that includes the impact on our communities. We could do without the green-washing as well. 

  

Thank you The Plane Truth Action Group for organising the meeting and all the work that you are putting in to try and get some real information out about what is going on. Sign their petition!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/328/998/681/stop-the-auckland-airport-implementing-a-new-flight-path/

 

and visit their face book page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland-The-Plane-Truth-Action-Group/579257782136756?ref=profile

Media release: Bury the Pylons Petition Cracks 1000!

“We have been overwhelmed by the supportive response of the community to our Bury The Pylons campaign and petition,” says Garth Houltham, Roskill Community Voice candidate for the Puketapapa Local Board.

“We never dreamed we would collect over 1000 signatures in just six weeks, for what started as a small local campaign for us in Lynfield, Hillsborough, Roskill South and White Swan.”

Roskill Community Voice launched the Bury the Pylons campaign with local MP Phil Goff, on July 20th, with a packed out public meeting of over 120 concerned locals. Petition signatures have since poured in from around the community and further afield, amassing over 1000 as at the start of September.

“We thought it was a good idea to acknowledge the huge contribution the community has made to get us to the first 1000 signatures, and so we are going to have a celebration at Taylors Bay Reserve on September 21st. We will also outline the next steps in this community campaign at this gathering”, says David Holm, Roskill Community Voice candidate for the Puketapapa Local Board.

“Petition signatures collected to date will be presented to Phil Goff MP at the gathering at 2pm and we hope that other members of the community concerned about this issue will come along to mark the occasion”, says David Holm.

Bury The Pylons petition cracks 400 signatures!

Between the online petition and the paper one we now have over 400 signatures supporting Bury The Pylons.  Great stuff! 

The campaign is getting picked up by other areas of Auckland too - there is a Bury The Pylons public meeting in Onehunga, 3pm at St Peters Church, corner Onehunga Mall and Church St, this Saturday, to launch the petition in the Maungakiekie-Tamaki area.

We've also had a lot of donations for Bury The Pylons signs and hope to have those organised soon. Plus coverage in the Central Leader several times now.

Thanks everyone for your support.

Media release: Huge Public Meeting Launches Bury the Pylons Campaign and Petition

Roskill Community Voice Media Release

24 July 2013

Huge Public Meeting Launches Bury the Pylons Campaign and Petition

“Saturday’s Bury the Pylons public meeting in Hillsborough was so overwhelmed by support from the local community that the meeting room had to be changed to accommodate the crowd”, says Roskill Community Voice candidate and Roskill South resident David Holm.

“Over one hundred and twenty people filled St Davids in the Fields Church hall to hear about the campaign and have their say. People spoke up about the fundamental unfairness of our community carrying the burden of massive high voltage power pylons through our nieghbourhoods and across the Manukau Harbour. We know that this simply wouldn’t be accepted in suburbs along the Waitemata Harbour”, says Roskill Community Voice candidate and Hillsborough resident Garth Houltham.

“Working with local MP Phil Goff we have now officially launched the Bury the Pylons petition. It is a formal parliamentary petition that asks all of the relevant stakeholders to come together and develop a responsible plan to bring down the pylons. Over the next three years Transpower will give central government over $500 million in dividends, so we know that it can be done”, says David Holm.

“This campaign is fundamentally about fairness. Our community should have the same right to enjoy our properties and environment as any other. We believe that Roskill has been overlooked in many ways over the years, and we are saying that it is time for our community to get a fair go. We urge people to join the Bury the Pylons campaign and sign the petition”, says Garth Houltham.

ENDS

Contact: Garth Houltham - 09 624 2331 and 027-236-7777 David Holm - 09 620 4434 and 027 627 9433

'Bury the Pylons' Online petition.

Bury the Pylons Online Petition Now Available.

Following on from the launch of the Bury the Pylons petition over the weekend, we have now also
posted the petition online:

http://www.change.org/burythepylons

Please sign the petition and forward on to people who you think also support this issue. Just make sure that you only sign once, on either the paper or online version of the petition.

The huge response at Saturday's public meeting means that it has taken a few days to process all the offers of help. An email has now gone out to all people who offered help, and we will be in touch to provide petition forms, and offers to have Bury the Pylons signs on people's fences.

If you want to support the campaign but are not yet on the Bury the Pylons email list then please let us know at roskillcv@gmail.com.

Bury The Pylons campaign launched!

Today we launched our Bury The Pylons campaign and petition, along with Phil Goff MP, at St Davids in the Fields on Hillsborough Road.

We were quite overwhelmed by the turnout - over 120 people came along and many also volunteered to help further.

We heard from Phil Goff MP about the fairness issue behind it all; that this simply wouldn't be acceptable in St Heliers or on Takapuna Beach, and it shouldn't be in our area either.  He spoke about his intention to approach all the MPs who represent communities with pylons running through them to make this a national issue, but he will not forget that our area should be the priority, as one of the worst affected.

Carol Beaumont MP also spoke about the impact of the pylons on the Onehunga community, and her plans to have a similar public meeting there in support.  Jim Jackson talked about the more technical side of why and how it needs to be done, and his own experiences winning the restoration of the Onehunga foreshore.  Councillor Richard Northey addressed the impact the lines could have on people's ability to build on their own land, if proposed changes are adopted for the Auckland Council Unitary Plan.  Our own Michael Wood MC'ed and outlined the next steps for the campaign.

We'll be back in touch with the 50+ people who offered further help in the next week to make sure they have petition forms, know how to get more, and can return them for collation.  We're also looking into producing simple Bury The Pylons signs, so if you want one for your fence, can help out by sponsoring one, or want to help in other way please email us roskillcv@gmail.com to go on the campaign email list, or contact us in another way if that's easier.


More photos.

Media release: Campaign & Petition to "Bury the Pylons" Launched

Campaign & Petition to 'Bury the Pylons' Launched

"Ugly", "Intimidating", and "Over bearing" are just some of the ways that Mt Roskill residents describe Transpower's huge high voltage transmission lines that despoil local neighbourhoods and the ecologically sensitive Manukau Foreshore. This coming weekend the Roskill Community Voice team will be holding a public meeting to launch a campaign and petition to 'Bury the Pylons'.

"Fundamentally, we don't think that our community is being treated fairly. Three separate lines of these large steel monsters cross the Mt Roskill area. They ruin views, lower property values, despoil the beautiful Manukau Harbour, and degrade the quality of our neighbourhoods. We know that this would not be accepted along suburbs bordering the Waitemata Harbour, so why along Mt Roskill and the Manukau Harbour?", says Roskill Community Voice candidate and Hillsborough resident Garth Houltham.

"Our campaign calls for central government, local government, and Transpower to advance plans to 'Bury the Pylons'. We accept that this is a big job, but there is a clear solution. Over the next three years Transpower will pay $542 million in dividends to central government. It is only fair that a portion of Transpower's profits be diverted to solving this problem, rather than subsidising other government services", says Roskill Community Voice candidate and Roskill South resident David Holm.

"This Saturday we will be holding a public meeting to launch our campaign and petition demanding action. Residents can get directly involved by signing our 'Bury the Pylons' petition that will be launched at the meeting. We know that local people are sick of being taken for granted and we already have lots of support from the community on this issue. We encourage local people to get involved so that we can win our campaign to 'Bury the Pylons', says Garth Houltham.

Contact:

Garth Houltham - 027-236-7777

David Holm - 627-9433

Facebook event with map, more photos and background information.

'Bury the Pylons' Public Meeting Details:
Saturday 20 July, 2pm - 3.30pm

St Davids in the Fields Church, 202 Hillsborough Rd, Hillsborough

Guest speaker: Phil Goff MP

Public and media welcome

Roskill Community Voice is the progressive team contesting the Puketapapa Local Board for the 2013 Auckland Council elections, and is currently represented on the Board by Julie Fairey and Michael Wood.

Waikowhai Park, Auckland Anniversary Day 2012

Photos taken on one of the new Waikowhai Park bush tracks, January 30th 2012.  For the full album of 24 photos see our album from this walk on Facebook.

The old signage, not looking so great....

Flash new signage, providing information as well as other new signs that help you find your way.

The start of the short coastal walk from the eastern end of Wesley Bay around to Aldersgate.  Being well used by fishers and walkers alike, and just as a nice spot to look out at the Manukau.

Inspecting the flotsam and jetsam on the beach at Wesley Bay.  In the background you can see the packed carpark at the western end of Wesley Bay - hundreds of people there just enjoying the park, the sun and the BBQ.

And the view back along the busier part of Wesley Bay (during a calmer moment!)

The track we went on took us from near the playground right through to the eastern part of Wesley Bay (linking up with the Aldersgate access point when the tide is low enough).  We were there at about low tide.  This track is not quite complete - there was some machinery on the tracks and it is still unsuitable for those who have difficulty walking and/or are pushing a buggy.

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