6 June 2019 Rangitoto Observer

Takapuna, Milford, Castor Bay, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook DELIVERED DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY FORTNIGHTLY

New World to open in Takapuna ... p2

Issue 2019 Issue 117–––15 7 March June 2019 Issue 15 March 2019

New operator for jewel in crown campground... p3

AN AN INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT VOICE VOICE

Observer Green pages launched ... p16-17

Historic World War II barracks building shot A former World War II women’s barracks It now has a capital value of $1.57 mil- in a recent council investiagation also failed in Castor Bay is falling into disrepair, with lion: $1.375 for the land and $195,000 in seismic testing, with a score of 15 per cent, little work having been done since the improvements. where 34 per cent is a pass mark. council bought the property for $860,000 Asbestos, lead paint and borer have been In addition, the ground below the building five years ago. found in the Kennedy Park building which To page 2

Students join strike for climate-change action

Wake up!... More than 200 Westlake Girls students, including Georgia Hills, joined other Auckland schools on 24 May to strike for government action on climate change (photo: Keeley Watson). See page 16.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 2

June 7, 2019

‘Boutique’ New World for Shore City A boutique New World supermarket set to open in Takapuna’s Shore City shopping centre will have a sufficient range of produce for a household shop, according to Foodstuffs.

It will be a new model of boutique store, with a market feel, similar to the New World

Metro shop in Queen St, but more light and open, Foodstuffs’ Nick Hanson says.

“New World will provide a supermarket offering concentrated on ‘convenience shopping’, which will include but is not limited to bakery, delicatessen, liquor, produce and

general grocery.”

Shore City has been refurbished over the past two years and the new supermarket, which is expected to open late this year on the ground floor, is one of its development projects.

From page 1

Huge maintenance programme needed for barracks is unstable and moving downhill, council officers have found.

“The council has done no work, no work at all… I personally call it ‘demolition by neglect’. I am grossly disappointed,” Kennedy Park WWII Preservation Trust founder John Crews says.

The property at 139 Beach Rd was one of three barracks built to look like a house. The entire defence site was designed to look like a residential street. Gun pits were also hidden inside fake houses.

The ruse aimed to fool Japanese “spotter” planes trying to find coastal defence sites, Crews says.

The trust wants 139 Beach Rd restored to house a museum, tea-rooms, trust headquarters, and rooms for community use, including a base for a petanque club that plays on the former parade grounds three times a week. Grossly disappointed... Preservation trust founder John Crews (left) The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has and chairman Chris Owen describe council inaction over the former a budget of $900,000 set aside for the project World War II barracks as demolition by neglect and would like to see the three-bedroom Final costings are still being worked out, us whether they have to restore it. Is there a house restored, rather than demolished and with a detailed seismic assessment needed. community purpose for the building, or is it rebuilt, according to chair George Wood.

While the local board had hoped it could a pet project?”

The council also owns a neighbouring be restored with community help, a local ratepayers’ group questions whether the section, sharpening concerns that it could opt costly restoration project is a good use of to demolish the barracks and sell both parcels of land together for development. public money.

Green says whatever happens to the Castor Bay Residents and Ratepayers Delivered to 10,000 homes Association chairman David Green says: building, the land should be made part of “We have been pushing the council to tell Kennedy Park.

New Takapuna-Milford paper hits the streets... p2

Issue 1 – 15 March 2019

‘Sacred’ pohutukawa trees turn into a menace... p4

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE

Fears locals short-changed by new town square... p7

Preserving coastal track no walk in the park require a coastal consent, which required approval from all affected landowners.

Firth, now 74, withheld his consent because To page 3

Oarsome costumes make waves at Beach Series finale

In the pink… Jason Herriman was among entrants who got into the spirit of a retro-themed final night of the Beach Series summer races at Takapuna Beach last Tuesday. More pictures p12-14

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A unique book launch Attar books

Four books that explore spiritual encounters in Aotearoa The Lantern in the Skull Hugh Major

Prophets on the River Judith Hoch

People of the Earth

Peter Calvert, Richard Bentley, Carolyn Langden and Trisha Wren

The Luminous Nun Kerryn Levy

Real stories that intrigue, baffle, stimulate, inspire.

Meet the authors in Takapuna 2:30pm Saturday June 22, Takapuna Library, The Strand.

Much Ado about Shakespeare

What’s On

DELIVERED FORTNIGHTLY

The future of a hugely popular coastal People have been walking through Paul track between Takapuna and Milford is set to Firth’s garden since 2011, when a wooden be secured as Auckland Council negotiates bridge was washed away in a storm. with a property owner over purchasing his At that time, the council found it had never historic bach. been an official bridge and rebuilding would

June 13-15

Pinehurst School’s romp through Shakespeare’s plays.

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June 7, 2019

Profile

The Rangitoto Observer Page 3

New campground operator treasures jewel in the crown

Experienced operator… Steve Edwards and wife Jeanette are the new lessees of the Takapuna campground The new operator of the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park has an association with the site dating back decades.

Steve Edwards stayed at the park as a teenager in 1988 when he was competing in the national Sunburst yachting champs, run by Takapuna Yacht Club.

Then, in 2004, he and wife Jeanette were attending a national holiday park conference at the Spencer On Byron Hotel and they visited the campground again.

“It’s such a stunning spot – I remember saying if it ever came up we would have to take a look at it.”

And so it transpired with the Edwards sucessfully tendering for the campground lease. It was confirmed at the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s May meeting.

The Edwards are experienced campground operators, purchasing their first campground in Mouteka in 2003 – a council lease not dissimilar to Takapuna. Freehold campground purchases in Nelson (2005), Fox Glacier (2010) and Queenstown (2015) followed.

Jeanette grew up around campgrounds. Her parents owned a campground at Hihi Beach, Northland. Prior to going into the holiday park business Jeanette trained as a teacher and Steve was a yacht-rigger.

Somewhat ironically, he sailed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race with on official of Yachting New Zealand, which attempted unsuccessfully to establish its headquarters at the campground site.

Edwards is pleased the site he describes as

the ‘jewel in the crown’ of New Zealand holiday parks was retained for public use.

However, he cautions people not to expect any quick changes. “We are aiming to run it for a year to find out what works and what customers want.”

At the same time, designs will be worked on and moved through to consent stage and then construction.

The current rough concept plans include tent sites, powered sites for campervans, cabins and motel-style apartments.

“People shouldn’t expect anything to happen overnight but we won’t be sitting on our hands either.

“I’m loath to talk about definite dates as, if we do, people will want to hold us to them.” Time frames for designs and the consenting process through council were difficult to quantify.

Final lease and hand-over details are being worked through and Edwards hopes ‘to be in by summer’.

He aims to remain true to traditional Kiwi campground philosophies and recalls a former slogan of the Top 10 Holiday Park chain: ‘a bed for every budget’.

“I’ve always liked that slogan - it really did say what we are about.

“We are not aiming for a Hilton on the waterfront.”

As part of the project a 5-metre-wide coastal pathway has been guaranteed for public use.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has not seen the lease or been privy to negotiations.

However, Auckland Council’s commercial

property arm Panuku, which negotiated the deal, said it was ‘robust’ with many safeguards over what could be built on the site. Any transfer of the lease, if the business was to be sold, would be subject to landlord approval.

When the Observer meets Edwards for the photo shoot, he is excited by the challenges ahead. He’s just checked out the coastal walk between Milford and Takapuna and is marvelling at the beauty on a still morning.

“You can’t get much better than this,” he says, looking at the view out to Rangitoto.

30-year lease for campground The Takapuna Beach Holiday Park has been granted a 20-year lease with a 10-year right of renewal.

The new design will include holiday apartments, a new central communal area with kitchen and dining facilities, as well as three satellite bathrooms.

Auckland Council hopes the new buildings will be completed by early 2022.

A holiday park has operated at the northern end of Takapuna Beach for 100 years.

A lease between Auckland Council and the Real Kiwi Holiday Company expired in 2013, sparking a large community campaign to retain the land as a campground.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 4

June 7, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 5

June 7, 2019

Xiaole’s composition goes global

Barrys Point Reserve Dog park edges closer A dog park at Barrys Point reserve is moving a step closer with a comprehensive dog exercise service assessment under way by Auckland Council.

While no decision on the final location has been made, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board wants Barrys Point Reserve to be the focus of the study.

The assessment will include potential sites, projected population growth, park accessibility, current park use and more.

Council officers have identified the most suitable sites for a dog park as: Ngataringa Park, Woodall Park, Barrys Point Reserve, Kennedy Park, Sylvan Park.

Other suitable sites included: Plymouth Reserve, Killarney Park, Jutland Reserve, Northboro Reserve, Greville Reserve.

Going to the dogs suburb by suburb Central Devonport, with 378, has the most of any neighbourhood in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.

Forrest Hill is next with 335, followed

by Milford (278), Takapuna (277), Hauraki (239), Castor Bay (212), Belmont (181), Bayswater (150), Narrow Neck (148), and Stanley Point (111). A total of 2309 dogs are registered in the area. Source: Auckland Council figures for 2017/18.

International recognition… Xiaole Zhan won a young composers contest in Canada Year 13 student Xiaole Zhan has taken first place in a young composers contest in Canada where her composition was performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

Her piece Aquatic Nocturne is named after a Sylvia Plath poem by the same name, and is the first choral composition she has created.

Xiaole (17) won first place in the secondary-school-aged section, and won a $200 prize as well as having her piece performed by the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

“Just to have a choir of that calibre perform my piece, that was amazing,” says Xiaole who plays the piano, cello and sings.

“It was also the conductors final performance before he retired so that was very special.”

She found out that she had won via email

earlier this month, and is still awaiting comments from the judges who are a panel of musicians selected by the chamber choir.

Xiaole wrote the piece last year but had been working on it each week with David Hamilton who runs weekly composition tutoring at Westlake Girls School where Xiaole is a student.

In April she also won a publishing deal for her novella The Extinct which is now on sale.

Xiaole has just finished composing a chamber piece which she plans to enter in a New Zealand Chamber Music competition.

“I’m really interested in nuero science, composition and creative writing so I hope to be able to study all three once I leave school,” she says.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 6

June 7, 2019

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June 7, 2019

The Rangitoto Observer Page 7

Postcards show Takapuna of yesteryear Rare postcards of 20th-century Takapuna are amongst some of the works exhibited at the Lake House Arts Centre this month.

Lake House invited all members to display photographs in the exhibition, which is part of the International Photography Festival.

“We found some framed works, in a filing cabinet, from 1995,” says centre manager Grae Burton. “They were works from Dennis Hamblin, who is a life member, of the Lake House before it had been moved from Hurstmere Rd.” The rare set of Takapuna postcards dating back to the 1950s were found by another member and are also up for sale.

Over 30 works are on display in the gallery’s cafe area, and most of the artists are based on the North Shore.

“For some it’s the first time they have ever had their art on walls,” says Burton.

The Members Photography Exhibition is on display at the Lake House Arts Centre until 22 June.

Rare finds...

Lake House Arts Centre manager Grae Burton with some of the photos and postcards on show at the centre this month

A major watersports event and beach festival successfully run in Wellington for three years is set to make its Auckland debut at Takapuna Beach from 8 to 10 November.

Professional athletes from more than 20 countries will compete in kitesurfing, paddle boarding and windsurfing competitions.

With free public access, event organisers expect 1000 competitors and thousands of spectators over the three days.

A beach fun-run with distances of 2km, 5km and 8 km will also be held.

The event has been scaled back in recent days, a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board workshop was told last week.

Musicians, including the Black Seeds and Australia’s Boo Seeka, were to take to a stage from 12pm to 10 pm, at the two-day ticketed event, with alcohol on sale. But no longer.

Council officers said a larger-scale event was planned in 2021 to coincide with the America’s Cup. Organisers were now talking to the nearby Regatta Bar about the provision of alcohol and music at its venue, instead of the beach reserve.

Board member Jen McKenzie was keen the public had continued access to the beach, as it was for “all people” not just one event.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 8

June 7, 2019

Late closing attracts wrong crowd, locals say

Closing argument...Takapuna resident Jill Schroder says 3am closing brings in young binge drinkers

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A group of long-time Takapuna residents is rallying opposition to 3am closing at three Takapuna bars, with a catch-cry of ‘nothing good happens after 1am’.

Mon Désir resident Jill Schroder spearheaded a successful effort to get drinking banned in public places during a 2017 bylaw review and is now leading the charge against 3am closing.

“People are concerned about 3am closing, because it brings in a different crowd. People who live around here don’t drink until 3am,” Schroder says.

Crime, antisocial behaviour and litter are Schroder’s biggest concerns, which she says are shared by others who had bad experiences when Bin Bin Deluxe had a monthly 3am closing night.

One Killarney St resident, Michelle Fleming, says that event attracted young people whose behaviour was “loud and boorish, and totally inconsiderate of local residents”.

Former North Shore councillor and local board member Kevin Schwass, owner of Master and Apprentice and Florrie McGreals, is jointly applying for the extended licence with Elephant Wrestler owner Steve Shute.

Schwass says they want to be responsible members of the community. The intention is not to open until 3am every Wednesday to Saturday, but to have some flexibility around closing and the ability to open later for specific events, without the expense and paperwork of applying for a special licence every time.

Staying open later would end the mass exodus of 1am closings. “It allows people to leave at their leisure. They are not being forced into the street,” he says.

At 1am, people are often not heading home, but to another centre that has extended licences. “It puts pressure on taxis, it puts pressure on Uber and fast-food restaurants, because everyone is trying to do the same thing.”

Takapuna has changed immensely since Schwass first opened a bar there in 1996, and the bars are now targeting a more mature crowd, he says.

The centre will grow, as it is a metropolitan centre under the Unitary Plan and around 250 apartments are in the pipeline.

Apartment dwellers will want to go down to their local, he says, with Florrie McGreals offering a neighbourhood pub and the other bars aimed at a mature crowd.

Schwass and Shute have had their resource consents altered to pave the way for later closing, as part of a non-notified process.

Their application to the District Licensing Authority was open to submissions, and Schroder, along with long-time Takapuna residents Sandra Allen and Susan Wann, distributed flyers and went on social media encouraging residents to submit against the application by the 3 June deadline.

The hearing date has not been set.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 9

June 7, 2019

Memorial bench for Brian A memorial bench and plaque to honour Takapuna identity Brian Osborne will be sited at Takapuna Beach Reserve – the available spot closest to the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park he helped preserve.

An earlier proposed site on the Milford coastline was rejected due to privacy concerns.

Osborne was a long-time Takapuna resident who would often walk the Takapuna-to-Milford walkway with his family.

He worked on the Save Takapuna Beach Holiday Park Campaign over a five-year period to ensure a community voice was heard.

Consent for the menorial was granted by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board at its May meeting.

On 23 November 2018, business clients and friends organised the Brian Osborne Memorial Golf Tournament. This will be an annual fundraising event with the proceeds donated to North Shore Hospice.

Walkers left waiting for handrail Delays over a handrail on a wall beside the Milford-Takapuna walkway are frustrating some locals.

The wall was completed almost three months ago, but there’s still no handrail, even though it is a condition of the resource consent, a spokesperson for a nearby apartment complex says.

“The latest is the developer has decided to do a nautical theme, which has delayed the installation of the handrail,” Mon Desir management chair Fay Freeman says “We don’t want a nautical theme, we just want a common handrail, because it’s quite dangerous there.”

The home being built at 19 Brett Ave is

still completely encased in white plastic, with builders saying it is a long way from being completed.

The owner and architect wanted a handrail with a coastal theme and have submitted the new design to Auckland Council for approval, Chris Hay Construction’s site manager James Hunter confirms.

Both the wall and walkway are on private land, council team manager of compliance Amanda de Jong points out.

“This handrail is a safety feature the applicant has sought to introduce to enable continued public access across their property.”

It will need to be installed prior to the resource consent being signed off.

Sarah Thorne Community Coordinator 486 2098 | office@takapunatrust.org.nz

FREE WINTER FUN PRESCHOOL PLAY Free Winter Fun Preschool Play is now running from venues in Takapuna, Milford, Forrest Hill and Sunnynook. Our programme includes two venues at rest homes for intergenerational play.

For a full timetable, visit www.takapunatrust.org.nz or visit Facebook/summerfunplay

GLOW DISCO On 11th May we held our second Glow Disco for adults with special needs in association with the young people at Wairau Valley Special School Transition Centre. Thank you to all the awesome people who came along and danced the night away and to the brilliant disco committee at WVSS who designed the event. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

FAMILY FUN FRIDAYS

Fridays from 26 July, 3:30pm – 5:30pm Mary Thomas Building, 3 Gibbons Rd, Takapuna A new free programme for primary aged children at the Mary Thomas Centre in Takapuna. Join us on Friday afternoons, 3.30-5.30pm for Family Fun Fridays. Kids can play with our Imagination Play equipment or join in an art activity. Please note that this is not a drop off service and children must be supervised by their caregiver.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS Takapuna North Community Trust supports a free art class which takes place weekly on a Tuesday afternoon at the Mary Thomas Centre in Takapuna. Places are limited. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.

TAKAPUNA SENIOR CITIZENS ASS. Takapuna Senior Citizens Association is looking for new members to help lead future events and activities. If you are keen in getting involved, or if you have a great idea for activities that you’d like to attend at the Takapuna Senior Citizens Hall, please get in touch with us.

Takapuna North Community eNEWS To receive the Takapuna North eNEWS, a monthly email listing of community events, and other community notices, please email us at office@takapunatrust.org.nz With special thanks to the DevonportTakapuna Local Board for funding the Takapuna North Community Trust.

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Letters

The Rangitoto Observer Page 10

June 7, 2019

Dogs favoured over people on timing and who hurl their ball-throwers so dogs tear past and startle people from behind are not going to change. I too would like to see dogs banned, as they are in Australia and in parts of the South Island, but that is going to need the kind of massive attitude shift that Aucklanders and dog-favouring council members will fiercely resist.

Takapuna is changing rapidly, with new apartments and many more people travelling to our beautiful beach. We are going to have a lovely town centre and the car will no longer dominate. Let’s make the beach a place that puts people at the heart of the experience.

Sue Emmott

I fully support Robert Senior’s concerns about dogs on Takapuna Beach (Rangitoto Observer, 24 May). Like him I have been bowled over and crashed into and am always nervous when I walk the beach. One effect is that I do so less often than I used to. How can it be right that such a lovely beach has turned into a playground that favours dogs over people?

But, having written to the council about this several times, and in spite of their socalled consultations in which dog-supporting interest groups dominate, I see little hope for change. Many dog owners are responsible and considerate but those who break the rules

Kennedy stairway repairs frustrate locals other measures to prevent erosion.

However, Auckland Council keeps putting the repairs back, with the latest estimate August this year, which could even stretch to September, Castor Bay Ratepayers and Residents Association chair David Green says.

A 21 May council update said a resource consent application had been lodged.

Construction to repair the staircase has been delayed due to further work being required to ensure the cliff face is stabilised and safe for works to be undertaken, another memo says. To mitigate the delay, staff and the contractor are considering building the staircase offsite and installing it once the cliff is stabilised, the 15 May memo from Devonport-Takapuna Local Board senior adviser Tristan Coulson says.

Delays in repairing the popular Kennedy park stairs are frustrating Castor Bay residents.

The stairs, which led from the WWII park to the coast and were especially popular with runners and walkers, were damaged in April 2017 during Cyclone Debbie.

An early report from Riley Consultants found the foundations were intact and the cliff damage relatively shallow at 1m.

Work, estimated at $470,000 was expected to be carried out last summer.

In January, the council trumpeted on its email newsletter Our Auckland, work was about to start and would be completed by early March. In addition to repairing the 120-step staircase, geotechnical measures would stabilise the cliff-face, including mesh screens to capture debris, planting and

Collaboration needs to be constant Collaboration between Council and residents is not a tap to turn off and on.

An inaugural Takapuna North (Hauraki to Sunnynook) Environment Community Workshop on May 16, brought together resident and ecology groups to plan the restoration and care of our local environments.

It’s a great initiative, our environment is a limited resource that we all share.

But when it comes to the overall planning for parks, recreation space, and natural areas across our neighbourhoods, Council wants residents to stay away. The Devonport-Takapuna Open Space Network Plan, considered and deferred at the Local Board’s meeting on March 19, proposes that no public consultation is required. This is despite the fact that management of most open space, defined as a result of the Network Plan, must be consulted upon under the Reserves Act. Perhaps Council expects its officials will recommend where natural reserves and new sport facilities will be and that residents will be content to simply weed, plant and organise events to bring open spaces to life?

Our community has proven itself to be ready to collaborate constructively with Council. According to RNZ’s Kate Newton (White Noice, January 2019), the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area had one of the highest response rates to consultation on the Auckland Plan 2050.

One way or another, residents will consult; local body elections are in October.

Iain Rea

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June 7, 2019

The Rangitoto Observer Page 11

Women artists perform for opening of suffragette-inspired sculpture

Speaking up for women...

Spoken-word artist G race Taylor performs at the opening of Soapbox Feminism was celebrated at the opening of Killarney Park’s new suffragette-inspired public artwork.

Soapbox is an interactive work, built to resemble a platform that overlooks Lake Pupuke.

Auckland Council says it pays homage to Kate Sheppard and other suffragettes, reflecting the soapboxes they spoke from to spread their message of women’s rights.

The work was unveiled at a public event on Saturday 25 May which included several artistic performances by women celebrating Sunshine and poetry... about 40 people attended the opening feminism. It attracted a crowd of about 40.

Performers included spoken-word artist Grace Taylor, poet Rose Northey, artist and theatre maker Julia Croft, writer and musician A Takapuna Rocks classic car show vehicle owners pay a fee to attend.

Courtney Sina Meredith, and writer and direcis aiming to attract more than 300 The money will be donated to charity. tor Dione Joseph. pre-1972 vehicles to the Strand on 26 A clearer idea of the event’s size will “What a beautiful day to stand on a platform October. be known once the cars are registered, and speak about feminism,” said Croft.

The vehicles will be displayed at the council officers told a Devonport Auckland Council and Wilson car parks.

Takapuna-Local Board workshop last The Soapbox artwork is in Killarney Park, Entry to the public is free, while week.

Takapuna, next to The Pump House Theatre.

Classic cars to rock Takapuna

The Rangitoto Observer Page 12

June 7, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 13

The Rangitoto Observer Page 14

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 15

June 7, 2019

Activist seeks inquiry into ‘dysfunctional’ council

Going in to bat... Frustration with the council ignoring communities sees former Takapuna Action Group member Susan Wann asking members of Parliament for an inquiry, with local board deputy chair Grant Gillon in support Frustration with Auckland Council and council-controlled organisations has driven a Milford resident to go to Parliament and plead for an independent inquiry into the Super City.

Susan Wann, a former Takapuna Action Group member, felt she was speaking up for all the communities in Auckland that have lost faith in the council when she presented a petition to the governance and administration select committee on 22 May. “There’s a serious loss of democratic representation by local boards. That has a huge impact. We [residents’ groups] ask the local boards ‘why are you letting this happen?’ and find out their hands are tied. Sometimes decisions are made and they aren’t told either.”

Wann’s petition, calling for the inquiry, said, “Auckland residents are concerned by serious dysfunction in Auckland Council which is well documented by reports and complaints.

“Quality of life is affected by inferior new builds, incompetent drainage, inadequate infrastructure and public transport and loss of democratic representation by local boards.”

Once Wann launched the petition in mid2018, she was contacted by people from all over the city who expressed their frustrations with the council, Auckland Transport and the council’s property arm, Panuku.

Wann cites the fiasco over AT’s plans for St Heliers, a furore over street changes in Grey Lynn, community objections to the sale of

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Takapuna car park, plus residents’ outrage over developments in Howick and Piha, as examples of the council “bullying” residents.

The petition gained 792 signatures between 1 and 31 August and was submitted to Parliament last year, before Wann was invited to present it in person and table evidence in support.

Evidence included letters, articles and an open letter signed by all 21 local board chairs to Mayor Phil Goff complaining they were being virtually ignored in the development of policy and bylaws of strong interest to communities, such as the Dog Bylaw and Freedom Camping in Vehicles Bylaw.

The Local Government Act establishes shared governance between boards and the council, but local board chairs say they are marginalised. A review in 2017 made suggestions for improvements, but boards say they are worse off now.

The select committee will now report to Parliament with any recommendations, but Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta says the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 already provides a process to resolve disputes between local boards and the governing body. “The process provides that the governing body and local boards must make reasonable efforts to reach a mutually acceptable and timely resolution to a dispute.

If that’s not successful a local board may refer the dispute to the Local Government Commission. My preference at this stage is for the dispute resolution process to be followed.”

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 16

Green Pages

June 7, 2019

Students demand climate-change action

Striking for a future... Students from Milford and Takapuna schools joined others from around the city in protesting over climate change, as part of a global movement. Westlake Girls’ Ruby Wadman and Tayla Woolley (also a youth MP) are pictured in red blazers, making their voices heard. Westlake Boys couldn’t say how many students participated, as they were all on exam leave. Rosmini and Carmel College did not respond to questions from the Observer.

Mature trees threatened by planning rules Efforts by Takapuna environmentalists to save two mature oak trees in Hurstmere Rd were unsuccessful, with permissive planning rules blamed.

A large English oak at 217 Hurstmere Rd is listed in the Unitary Plan as a notable tree, but a consent to remove it was not notified

by Auckland Council.

The tree has lost most of its canopy, with large limbs apparently severed.

Another consent application was lodged to remove a mature oak tree at 203 Hurstmere Rd. Environment Takapuna members wrote to the council planners to object to the consent for its removal for a subdivision.

The tree had no protection under the Unitary Plan, a planner responded in an email.

The owner had been advised a design that would enable development while protecting the tree would be preferable to the council.

However, the requested design outcome could not be achieved, the planner says.

This raises concerns for the environmental

No oak... Mature English oaks under threat, at 203 (above) and 217 (right) Hurstmere Rd. The latter is listed as a notable tree. advocates.

“We have got to have high trees for birds,” spokesperson Ruth Ell says.

Takapuna and surrounds are on the flight path for native birds from sanctuary islands, such as Tiritiri Matangi to the Waitakere

Ranges, but there need to be trees for birds to alight on along the way.

Planning rules mean people can build right to their boundaries, so there’s no room to plant trees, Ell says.

June 7, 2019

Green Pages

The Devonport Flagstaff Page 17

Plans laid for Lake House ‘sustainability hub’ The dream of a local sustainability hub isn’t far from reality for local business owner Karen Francis, who is preparing to launch community gardens, eco markets and educational courses.

Francis runs a sustainable-fashion shop at the Lake House Arts Centre, where she recognised that the grounds needed a lot of extra attention.

She set up a charity called the Humanity Collective to restore the gardens and run both a weekly ethical-farmers’ market and a monthly eco-market.

“For me it’s all about promoting the way we should be living,” says Francis. “And I would love to be able to come to one place to buy all my stuff.”

Francis has called on local volunteers for the first garden working bee on Sunday 9 June.

She plans monthly garden clean-ups, which will also eventually lead to a community garden with fresh vegetables, bee hives and ‘bug hotels’.

“We’re also going to plant raised gardens so the elderly can come along and help out, as they have trouble bending down,” says Francis.

“A lot of the elderly men have indicated that they would like a place they can come and potter while having a cup of tea,” The proposed weekly farmers’ market would sell fresh fruit, vegetables, jams, milk, bread and eggs that Francis will ensure have all been sourced ethically and from animals that are well looked after.

She envisions products such as ethical fashion, second-hand clothing, jewellery and bees-wax wraps being sold at the monthly eco market.

Francis also plans to run educational workshops, concerts and community yoga classes at the Lake House grounds.

Dig this... Karen Francis has big plans for the gardens of Lake House She is focusing on building a strong group of core volunteers to get the whole project under way and running smoothly.

“It will take a while to get going but I’m really pleased with it,” she says. “I have been wanting to set up this charity for six years.”

Francis has spent most of her career working in IT – her last job was selling IT infrastructure at Spark – but decided she needed a change.

“It was an amazing job but it was as shallow as a puddle. Selling It isn’t going to change the world,” she says.

“I said to myself, ‘I love my life, it’s great but what can I do to help people?’”

Francis set up clothing business Humanity six years ago with the vision in mind to take things further.

She opened her shop at the Lake House Arts Centre a year and a half ago and saw it as the perfect spot to start a sustainable hub.

One per cent of every online purchase at Humanity now goes to Humanity Collective, and the goal of building an inclusive, onestop eco centre.

Francis hopes to start the markets in July, and has many more plans for the grounds, including an e-bike recharging station.

“In one year’s time I hope you can come in here and it’s a thriving sustainable hub.”

The Rangitoto Observer Page 18

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The costs to upgrade the outdoor space at Sunnnook community centre are between $400,000 to $700,000.

But council has no money to do the work.

Initial design concepts for the upgrade have been done by council officers, putting the costs at $400,000 for low-level materials, $550,000 for medium-level materials and $700,000 for high-level products.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board members gave the go-ahead at a workshop last week for more design work, with the hope a budget for the construction would be found later.

Board Chair George Wood urged caution as it did not want to ‘over-promise and under-deliver’.

The Rangitoto Observer Page 19

June 7, 2019

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 20

June 7, 2019

Fair terms to make a difference Moving into a retirement village is a big decision, and not all villages are the same.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 21

June 7, 2019

Fourth stage apartments released Secure your new home today Artist impression

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For more information about this apartment phone Janet or Mark on 445 0909 7 Ngataringa Road, Devonport williamsandersvillage.co.nz

The Rangitoto Observer Page 22

June 7, 2019

Young performers bring music to future square Young musicians put on a concert to celebrate the end of New Zealand Music Month and the culmination of an art project, during which three artists painted a piano with Takapuna themes.

A sunny day on 25 May brought a crowd to the 38 Hurstmere Rd site where events are being staged to help Auckland Council property arm Panuku decide how the future town square could be used.

The ‘Play This Piano’ project was initiated by Youth Arts New Zealand (YANZ), as an opportunity to showcase the talents of young artists and musicians, and boost their confidence.

Talent on show...

Performers included Carah Dowland, aged 10 (above left), and Maya Harrisson, 14 (above right). Father and daughter Louis and Alyssa Wannenburg (right) relax on a beanbag to enjoy the music.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 23

Sound and vision... Artists (from left ) Isabella Jin, Chelsea-Mae Wheeler and Tyler Sullivan painted a piano with Takapuna themes as part of the ‘Play This Piano’ project initiated by Youth Arts New Zealand.

The public piano will be available for use at 38 Hurstmere Rd until the end of July, weather permitting.

Remedial work planned for Takapuna Pool A $1.2 million facelift for Takapuna Pool and Leisure Centre is planned over the next year.

Auckland Council is considering renewal work which includes upgrades to the spa, the car park retaining wall and drain, the plant room and relining of the swimming pool.

Auckland Council Head of Operational Management and Maintenance Agnes McCormack said, “Once scoping is complete, we will have a clearer picture of what can be achieved within the allocated budget of $1.2 million.”

Lack of openness continues The apparent move towards a reduction in transparency at Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meetings continued last week with chair George Wood warning council officers to be careful about what they said.

Officers were about to update a board workshop on upcoming events and Wood told them it was an open workshop so they shouldn’t say anything they did not want to go into the public domain.

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The Rangitoto Observer Page 24

June 7, 2019

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