HOME: WHERE THE HEART IS
THE FREEMANS BAY RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Residents of historic suburbs close to the CBD have plenty of concerns generated by the Unitary Plan. Lynne Butler is one of them. She has lived in Freemans Bay for 10 years and decided to invite some friends and neighbours for dinner to sound out the idea of trying to form a Freemans Bay Residents Association. They were all Lynne Butler, Freemans in agreement, so she contacted Pippa Coon who was Bay Residents Association positive there should be one, and put Lynne in touch with some people who were active in the community. Thus encouraged, she opened her house for an informal meeting with some locals just to see if there was enough interest to pursue the scheme. There was plenty of very favourable feedback so she contacted the recently formed Grey Lynn Association which was very helpful, sharing all their rules and talking Lynne and a fellow resident through the setting up process. The initial group distributed a flyer announcing a public meeting was to be held on December 3 at the Freemans Bay Community Centre, outlining a proposal to establish a Freemans Bay Residents Association. The response was very gratifying with 97 people attending and 20 apologies recorded. With this level of support they decided to to go ahead and called for interest in forming a committee. An open discussion followed about concerns at what was happening in the area. Protecting the heritage aspect and maintaining it was paramount. Other worries were the state of Franklin Road footpaths, the intermittent undergrounding of lights, parking, and in particular the proposed Spring Street development plan. The next meeting was held February 4 to specifically investigate the zoning changes in the draft Unitary Plan and the proposed re-development of Spring Street pensioner housing. 109 people attended and the association became full-fledged with a committee and working groups. Lynne Butler, a very capable project director working in the healthcare sector was appointed the chair. The treasurer, Andy Smith spends his time in the not for profit sector as a volunteer. Margaret Jowsey, who has lived in the wider area since 1990 has taken on the role of secretary. Pre Super City she served on the Western Bays Community Board. Other members include Amy Galway, a young single mother of two boys who owns a PR company, Event Horizon (NZ) Ltd; Grey Seagar, a barrister has lived in Freemans Bay for 21 years, during which time he has witnessed significant changes in the area and thinks the community should have more say in its future; Megan Joyce is Deputy Principal at Auckland Girls’ Grammar and believes Freemans Bay residents need a concerted voice to influence decisions affecting their daily lives.
COMBINING AESTHETICS WITH ETHICS THE IVY HOUSE ON JERVOIS ROAD IS THE New Zealand home of Armadillo&Co rugs, and has chosen Herne Bay for its flagship showroom. The Ivy House owner and local resident, Annie Loveridge, had been eyeing up the “little shop” previously used to temporarily house the Herne Bay pharmacy, for some time. “It’s not a big space, but it’s got just the right feel. Stepping out of the traditional home-wares locales felt right too.” Annie says she is proud to be the New Zealand stockist of Armadillo&Co. Pick up any Annie Loveridge, owner of The Ivy House Australian design magazine and you will most likely see an Armadillo&Co rug featured; The Australian business was co-founded in 2009 by Jodie Fried and Sally Pottharst, combining their 30 years’ experience in design and textiles. “The Armadillo&Co designer collection has 18 designs and 51 colours and so anything is possible with these gorgeous rugs,” says Annie. “We have a wide selection of standard size rugs, although the beauty of these hand woven items is that anything can be custom sized. All designs can be woven to hall runners, specified to fit your hallway perfectly.” Every piece embraces fair trade practices, is crafted from sustainable natural fibres including New Zealand wool and hemp, and all purchases benefit local schools in the weavers’ villages. “What I absolutely love about Armadillo&Co is the integrity backing up these items, hand woven by Armadillo’s artisans and as Armadillo states ‘It’s about combining aesthetics PN with ethics.’ I honestly believe that is reflected in the beauty of these rugs.” F THE IVY HOUSE, 238 Jervois Road T: 09 360 8986 www.theivyhouse.co.nz
The attendees were particularly concerned that pensioners in the Spring Street complex would be displaced in spite of having been granted lifetime tenure. Apart from the sheer inhumanity of such an action, there is danger that under the proposal of a joint venture between government and a private developer, the latter is expected to acquire the site for only book value to develop an upmarket housing compound. So, is this to be the end of Freemans Bay diversity, turning it into a ghetto for the economically advantaged? The Unitary Plan zoning allows apartment buildings on the site to be more than 19 metres high in a heritage precinct, which will have a negative impact on surrounding dwellings. If it goes ahead the result will be very different from the innovative urban development that arose from the 1960s slum clearance. Changes to parking requirements are another pressing concern. Houses in Freemans Bay are designated Residential 1 and heritage rules make it difficult to create off-street parking, which means a large number of vehicles are left on the road. The high level of commuter parking is disrupting in that it leaves no spaces for visitors, which is a problem for the disabled or residents who need healthcare support at home. It seems unfair that property owners who pay high rates are subsiding commuters but get no priority parking near where they live. The newly formed association is a much needed watch dog and is intent on developing a close relationship with council and other government bodies to have a say in what is planned for this area. Anyone needing help in making submissions to the local board can contact Lynne by phoning 021 459 663 or emailing her on lynneb1@xtra.co.nz To become a member go to www.freemansbay.org.nz and fill in the application template. Readers be aware that numbers are a catalyst that can effect change. (DEIRDRE TOHILL) F PN
102 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2014
PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)