Our submission on the Sky City deal legislation

Here is our submission to the Select Committee considering the legislation that will enable the Sky City convention centre-for-pokies deal to happen.  You can read the legislation itself, and make your own online submission, here.  The Greens also have a quick online form to make a submission that may be easier for those who want to show their opposition but don't have a lot of time.

Submission on the New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill

1.     Roskill Community Voice is a political organisation, established in 2010. which contests local body elections in the Puketapapa Local Board area, part of Auckland Council.  We are part of City Vision, and as such are endorsed by Labour, the Greens, and community independents.  We are currently represented on the Puketapapa Local Board by Julie Fairey and Michael Wood, and are running a full slate of six candidates for the 2013 elections, including Fairey, Wood and four others; Garth Houltham, David Holm, Harry Doig and Shail Kaushal.  While we are endorsed by both Labour and the Greens we set our policy independently and this submission has been primarily written by Julie Fairey, who is a community independent and not a member of any political party.  We have also had feedback from our community in the Puketapapa area and further afield in Auckland which has informed and aligned with the views expressed in this submission.

2.    Roskill Community Voice has taken a strong stance against the proliferation of pokies since our very beginning.  We have consistently advocated for measures that will reduce the number of pokies in our community and in Auckland; including a sinking lid without relocation for Puketapapa and the Auckland region.

3.    In 2012 Board member Fairey moved a Notice of Motion for the Puketapapa Local Board to oppose the Sky City Convention Centre deal on the basis that it would increase the number of pokies in Auckland.  This Notice of Motion was amended, and passed unanimously by the Board, including the following clause specifically on the deal itself:

“That the Puketapapa Local Board supports a new international convention centre for Auckland, but does not support any deal that  would result in an increase in gambling machines in Auckland,  including an increase in any venue, in accordance with our position on gambling machines in our 2011 Local Board Plan.”

4.     Roskill Community Voice does not support the international convention centre deal, even with the reduction in pokies that has now been agreed.  We consider the business case for the International Convention Centre weak and flawed, in particular the reliance on an increase in harmful pokies and electronic gambling tables, as well as an increase in casino space, to secure Sky City’s funding for the construction.  In a very short period of time the limited public benefit of not paying for the cost of construction will be overtaken by the very real public costs of gambling harm.  Any ongoing jobs created are likely to be much lower than the estimates given in the media, as shown by comparable developments in Australia.

5.  We specifically object to the 35 year licence guarantee, which inhibits future governments and council from measures to limit the harm from the casino, by requiring multi million dollar compensations to Sky City.  This is not only a bad way to make law it also undermines the sovereignty of future Parliaments.

6.  We further object to the expansion of gambling for a business which returns a far smaller share of its revenue to community projects than other outlets whose facilities are being (properly) reduced.  Casinos pay a very small portion back to the community and make very large profits, as well as causing significant harm to individuals, families, businesses and communities.   

7.    We also hold very real concerns about the process by which this legislation has come about.  The tender process was not sufficiently transparent, with Sky City appearing to be favoured early in the process.  In addition subsequent negotiations between the Government and Sky City do not seem to have delivered a very good deal for the Government party, perhaps in part because key Ministers and the Prime Minister were vociferous in their support for such a deal to the point where it became politically necessary to them for a deal to be concluded with Sky City, to the detriment of their bargaining position.

8.    Roskill Community Voice feel strongly that this is a deal that is being imposed on Auckland by Parliament, which is clearly not wanted by Aucklanders and is the equivalent of a whole new casino in our city.  It is in direct contradiction of the wishes of many communities, Local Boards and the Governing Body of Auckland Council.  We submit that the legislation should not proceed.

9.      We would like to appear to speak to our submission and request that the Committee travel to Auckland to hear submissions.

Media Statement: Commissioners Ignore Local Community on Pah Rd Warehouse

"Despite strong opposition from local residents and organisations, and a Council planning report recommending against it, commissioners have granted a resource consent for the Pah Rd Warehouse proposal," says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

The decision of the three independent commissioners was released on April 13th. "Since then we have been contacted by many locals disappointed that their very real concerns about parking, traffic, noise, protected trees, flooding risk and the character of the neighbourhood have been dismissed by commissioners who don't have to live with the consequences of their decision," says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

"Given the Council planner's recommendation against the Warehouse building on the Pah Rd site and the high level of local opposition the independent commissioners should have declined this application. We are supporting residents to investigate the options for appealing the decision, including the Environment Court and we are convening a public meeting for further local discussion of the issue," says Wood.

The public meeting will be held at the Fickling Centre (beneath the Mt Roskill Library, Three Kings) at 2.30pm on Sunday May 8th.

"It is particularly worrying that the commissioners' report is so dismissive of residents' concerns, implying that locals have an elitist attitude towards the Warehouse as a company," says Fairey. "Most of the people we have spoken to who are opposed to the Warehouse building on Pah Rd have told us they shop at the Warehouse themselves, and would not support any 'big box' retail going in to an inappropriate site. What is the point of having so-called 'independent' commissioners if they are not going to take submitters at face value?"


Up at Scoop here.

Central Leader: Report slams Red Shed plan

Coverage in the Central Leader on p3 today, including:

Plans by retail giant The Warehouse to develop a store in Royal Oak have been slammed by the Auckland Council.

Official documents released this week reveal consultants recommend a proposal to build the big Red Shed at 100 Pah Rd be declined.

"This development will not provide for the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of residents in the Royal Oak area," the report says.

The decision is welcome news for local board members and residents who have spoken out against the project over the past few months.

"It's heartening to see the official council report also recommends it be declined," Puketapapa Local Board member Julie Fairey says.

The proposal is now subject to a hearing chaired by independent commissioners next week who will decide whether it can proceed...

Click through for the whole story, and a picture of Gerald, Maurice and I at the site.

Opposition to Pah Rd Warehouse continues to build

The petition to oppose the building of a "The Warehouse" at 100 Pah Rd has cracked triple figures, and now has over 100 signatures from concerned locals.  Many thanks to all those collecting signatures.  Carol Beaumont MP has agreed to present the petition when she makes her submission to the resource consent hearing next week.  We hope this will give it even more weight.  If you have petition forms to send in and don't have a fax (the fax number is on the forms), then you can post them to us via:
The Puketapapa Local Board Office, cnr Mt Eden & Mt Albert Rds, Three Kings, Auckland 1024.
Or drop them in to the front desk there between 8.30am and 5pm weekdays.

This morning two Pah Rd residents joined me outside 100 Pah Rd for a brief interview and a photo with Hannah and Jason from the Central Leader.  Hopefully an article will be appearing Friday this week or Wednesday next week.

Several of those who submitted against the proposal have told me that they have been contacted directly by the Warehouse to discuss their concerns.  We hope this doesn't indicate that the Warehouse is trying to intimidate locals into changing their submissions at the hearing.

Also, Bob Dey has picked up on the issue and wrote up a summary of where things are currently at.  You can read it here. 

Carol Beaumont MP supports local concerns about Pah Rd Warehouse proposal

Apologies to Carol that I did not pick this up earlier.  Thanks to her for her support on this issue, and for submitting on the proposal.

December 15th 2010 Media Statement:

Residents must be heard about site for The Warehouse

“I agree with local residents who attended a meeting organised by Roskill Community Voice members of the Puketapapa Local Board that the implications of locating The Warehouse in Royal Oak are significant and the community have had a wholly inadequate opportunity to have their say on the application for Resource Consent” said Labour MP Carol Beaumont

“Local residents will face major implications with issues like increased traffic and noise of an operation which it is proposed will operate from 7am to 10pm 7 days a week.  Mt Albert and Pah Roads are already very busy arterial routes that become very congested at peak hours”

“I believe the process to date is completed flawed with many in the community still unaware of the proposal and its implications despite the efforts of the Roskill Community Voice members of the Puketapapa Local Board.  Only one public advertisement and direct notification to a limited number of residents meant most of the community have missed the opportunity to make submissions on the application for resource consent”

“I personally submitted for an extension to the submission period and will appear before the hearings panel.  I am extremely disappointed to hear that The Warehouse has used new Resource Management Act powers to demand that no local representatives are on that hearings panel.”

“The packed meeting last night, attended by representatives of both the Puketapapa and Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Boards, is the start of a community campaign to ensure local residents concerns are heard. I will be doing what I can to assist this campaign as I don’t believe it is acceptable to deny those directly affected by a major development such as this from having their say.”

Media Statement: Locals & Planner agree: Decline Pah Rd Warehouse application

“The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” on Pah Rd is ill-considered, and locals are rightly voicing their strong concern.  It is heartening to see the official Council report also recommends it be declined,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

The Hearing Agenda for the resource consent was released on Monday 7^th February, with Auckland Council’s planning consultant recommending that the application be declined, and almost universal opposition from submitters.

Of the 23 submissions, 21 oppose the application, while the remaining 2 are neutral.  Those submitting against include 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. 

“Objections raised by locals include concerns about traffic, noise, inadequate parking, vegetation and flooding risk.  The proposal breaches a number of existing planning documents, and is out of character with the neighbourhood.  It seems likely that the proposal would have a negative impact not only for local residents but also for those who use Seymour Park as well as nearby shopping centres at Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

“Residents who have talked to us have spoken of existing problems with parking, traffic, noise and poor planning in the area.  They wish to have these issues resolved, not exacerbated by the incompatible arrival of a ‘big box’ retail development in their neighbourhood,” says Fairey.

“We are aware that many other locals oppose this development but missed out on an opportunity to submit to the resource consent process.  We hope they will take the opportunity to sign the petition circulating, and we aim to assist them to have their voice heard.  Given the planner’s recommendation and the high level of local opposition, the independent commissioners must decline this application,” says Wood.

The Council officers' report can be read on the Auckland Council website here.

Media statement: Locals want meaningful say in resource consents process

“Many are making it clear they want meaningful local input to the resource consent process, following on from local concerns around the demolition of art deco buildings in St Heliers, and the seeking of a resource consent for “big box” retail on Pah Rd,” says Julie Fairey, a Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.

Ms Fairey has put a motion on the agenda of tonight’s Puketapapa Local Board business meeting seeking further information on whether Local Boards have the power to establish their own resource consent notification policies.

“The common concern I’ve heard from constituents is that they feel uninformed about what is happening in their community, and that they have little power to change things. Having Local Board area policies around how resource consents are notified in their communities, would hopefully incorporate public feedback on how to do this better,” said Fairey.

“It would make the process more meaningful and give people a real voice. A Local Board resource consent notification policy would probably have shown the deep community concerns about Turua St, and the Pah Rd Warehouse proposal, much earlier in the process,” said Fairey.

“Residents around the site of a proposed “The Warehouse” on Pah Road (Royal Oak) have felt marginalised by the way in which both the Council and the developer have taken steps to avoid listening to them to date. Only a small number of locals were notified, and The Warehouse has used new powers in the RMA to stop elected representatives from sitting on the hearings panel,” said Fairey.

Those concerned about the Pah Rd Warehouse proposal are now collecting signatures for a petition objecting to the development, citing concerns about traffic, parking, planning, and the impact on the town centres of Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga.

The wording of the petition is as follows:

We, the undersigned express our objection to the proposal to build a “The Warehouse” store at 100 Pah Rd for the following reasons:

• A large format retail store at this location will add significant traffic congestion and parking problems to a major arterial route and intersection that is already approaching “gridlock”.
• The site is earmarked as a key site for future development and comprehensive master-planning in planning documents due to its strategic location. The Warehouse proposal is entirely out of line with identified usage for the site.
• The site is isolated from other local shopping centres and will have a detrimental effect on many small retailers in these centres, and the character of the broader community.

We urge all relevant decision makers to reject the current proposal and direct the Warehouse to seek a more suitable location more in line with current planning guidelines and community wishes.”

Those wanting to assist with collecting signatures for the petition should contact Julie Fairey via julie.fairey@aucklandcity.govt.nz or calling 09 620 9257.

Pah Rd Warehouse Petition underway

Following on from the very well-attended public meeting in December, there is now a petition circulating objecting to the proposal of a "The Warehouse" store at 100 Pah Rd, Royal Oak. 

The petition wording is:

We, the undersigned express our objection to the proposal to build a “The Warehouse” store at 100 Pah Rd for the following reasons:

§ A large format retail store at this location will add significant traffic congestion and parking problems to a major arterial route and intersection that is already approaching “gridlock”.

§ The site is earmarked as a key site for future development and comprehensive master-planning in planning documents due to its strategic location. The Warehouse proposal is entirely out of line with identified usage for the site.

§ The site is isolated from other local shopping centres and will have a detrimental effect on many small retailers in these centres, and the character of the broader community.

We urge all relevant decision makers to reject the current proposal and direct the Warehouse to seek a more suitable location more in line with current planning guidelines and community wishes.

Please contact us if you'd like a copy of the petition form to circulate. 

I also have a motion on the agenda of tomorrow night's Puketapapa Local Board business meeting which will hopefully start the process of setting up a local resource consent notification policy.  More information on that if the motion passes - at this stage it is necessary to pass a motion seeking a report about whether we can legally have such a policy, and what it could cover.  Still getting my head around the bureaucracy required to get things done!

Public Meeting on the Pah Rd Warehouse Proposal

Tuesday 14th December, 7pm, Royal Oak Intermediate School, Trafalgar St.

All welcome to discuss and give feedback on the proposal to build a 'The Warehouse' store at 100 Pah Rd (where the Holeproof factory was).

This forum is organised by Roskill Community Voice, to seek the views of local residents and others who could be affected. Julie Fairey and Michael Wood will both be present to hear your feedback, as Roskill Community Voice members on the Puketapapa Local Board (part of Auckland Council).

Submissions for the resource consent closed on December 3rd. Our attempts to have this deadline extended, with the assistance of Councillor Cathy Casey, were unfortunately unsuccessful. However there may be other options to have local voices heard, which we will discuss at the meeting.

You can see the full resource consent application at the Mt Roskill Library (Three Kings). It's in a folder marked Eldamos Investments on the Auckland Council information stand - if you can't find it please ask the librarians for assistance.

There is a Facebook event set up for this, feel free to RSVP there and Share it with your friends.  We will also be leafleting nearby streets to let people know.

The Warehouse coming to Pah Rd?

A resource consent application for building a Warehouse store at the old Holeproof factory site on Pah Rd was publicly notified on November 5th.

There was some Herald coverage of the application, which rather oddly focused on concern that the big red shed-like building would be visible from the TSB James Wallace Art Gallery in Monte Cecilia Park. I'm not sure that will be the biggest worry local residents have about this project.   Michael is quoted in the article thus:

...Board member Michael Wood said the community had only till December 3 to submit views on the development, which infringed a number of District Plan controls and covered residential as well as business zones.

"A lot of residents have no idea about the proposal and we will do a mail drop in the area to encourage them to voice any concerns..."

We've put together a simple leaflet that makes people aware of the proposal and how to get more information, as well as encouraging submissions (for or against, or just raising specific issues).  I started dropping these in letterboxes today, however as we've had a problem with our phone line we probably won't be delivering anymore for a couple of days, in the hope that the phone number on the leaflet will be working by then!  Sorry if you have rung to discuss it with us and got a funny signal.