News

Plans for Meadowbank Village

Posted: 20 December 2016

On 19 December 2016 we met with Sharon Bohane, Manager of Meadowbank Village, to learn about what’s going on at the site.

In 2015 the old brick building was demolished, which took longer than expected as the building had asbestos, which of course had to be officially removed. The asbestos was used as a fire retardant when the building was constructed in the 1950s.

So far the three independent living buildings along Meadowbank Rd have been completed (shown in purple in the diagram below).

Currently the block in red, Stage 1, is being built. This includes a five-storey building with community centre and apartments, and a care facility. This stage is expected to be complete in early 2018.

Future stages include more apartments and an extension of the care facility.

Sharon showed us the 1:140 scale model of the whole development. A picture is below. Residents are welcome to make an appointment to view the scale model and plans for themselves by making an appointment with Sharon. You can reach her on 021 510 437 or .

Feedback on intersection upgrade required: Meadowbank Rd and Manapau St

Posted: 8 December 2016

Auckland Transport has received concerns about vehicles driving at high speeds in and out of this intersection.

The proposed measures will narrow the intersection, lowering driving speed and improving accessibility for pedestrians.

Changes include:

Narrowing the current intersection.
Adding a pedestrian refuge island.
Adding pedestrian pram crossings.
Adding No Stopping at All Times restrictions (broken yellow lines) on both sides of Manapau Street and on Meadowbank Road opposite the intersection.

As a residents association we have been advocating for a bus link to Meadowbank Station. Currently no buses go all the way to the station. In the new network which comes into effect in 2017, Auckland Transport said they will look into a link to the station on the 729 route, which travels from Ellerslie Station to Glen Innes Station via Meadowbank Rd and Gowing Drive (as shown in the picture below):

New bus routes from 2017 Meadowbank & St Johns

Changes to the intersection are shown in the diagram below. Take a look and please visit at.govt.nz/have-your-say to give your feedback by December 16.

Eastern Path Stage 1 Official Opening!

Posted: 7 December 2016

We are excited to announce that the first stage of the Eastern Path (aka Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared walkway/cycleway) will be opening on Friday December 9, 2016!

Just in time for the weekend!

We’ll bring you more information when we explore the path after the opening ceremony.

Tamaki Drive road closures over summer 2016/17

Posted: 2 December 2016

Tamaki Drive road closure events 2016-2017

Are Meadowbank & St Johns ‘Auckland’s most liveable suburbs’?

Posted: 11 November 2016

We took to the streets (well the comfort of Meadowbank Mall actually) on a busy Saturday morning to meet more locals, raise awareness of our association, and ask the question ‘Are Meadowbank & St Johns Auckland’s most liveable suburbs?’

Despite the relatively small sample size, the results were interesting!

We had an even split: 50% said yes and 50% said no.

Among the things people liked were our parks, public transport access and our central location.

What didn’t people like? Read the full results here (we presented them at our meeting on November 1).

Do you agree? Let us know what you think – email us your thoughts at .

Petition for bus service from Meadowbank/St Johns to Selwyn College and St Thomas’s

Posted: 2 November 2016

A member of our association, Richard Roxburgh, is petitioning Auckland Transport to include a bus link from the suburbs of Meadowbank & St Johns to their in-zone schools, St Thomas’s School and Selwyn College.

Richard is a parent of children at Selwyn College, and believes the new bus network (announced this year and which will go into effect in 2017) is missing a critical link to our local schools, particularly for pre- and after-school activities.

(See also: ‘Auckland residents petition for beach and school bus service‘, East and Bays Courier, November 11, 2016)

Current situation (for the new network effective 2017)

The Mission Bay – Newmarket 708 bus will travel from Newmarket to Kepa Road, down to Mission Bay, then up again to the corner of Kepa Rd and Kohimarama Rd, but will travel back west along Kepa Rd, missing out the section of Kohimarama Road past the two schools.
The Ellerslie – Glen Innes 729 bus will travel through St Johns and Meadowbank but turn right from St Johns Road to go down Felton Matthew Avenue.

A map showing both the 708 and 729 routes are shown in the map below.

Petition for a link to local schools

The proposed the 729 and 708 services would be combined, and travel from Ellerslie to Mission Bay via the two schools. Ie. from Ellerslie > Meadowbank > Mission Bay > Orakei > Remuera > Newmarket.
This route would enable households from the St Johns and Meadowbank suburbs to utilise public transport to and from their schools (including for pre-school and after-school activities) and to travel through to Mission Bay to link with buses into the city.

Please download the Bus Petition Form (PDF) and send back to Richard on .

Note that the information that you provide will be used specifically for the purpose of this petition to Auckland Transport. It will not be shared with any other third party.

Auckland Transport responds to our safety concerns on Meadowbank Rd

Posted: 22 October 2016

Unfortunately, Auckland Transport has declined our request to speak at our November meeting.

However they have written a letter in response to several specific safety issues that we raised with them. The issues of concern all focus on Meadowbank Rd.

Read a full copy of the letter (PDF): Letter from Auckland Transport regarding Meadowbank Rd Issues, dated 20 October 2016.

A summary is below.

In the letter, AT says they will investigate the following issues that we raised:

Excessive speed on Meadowbank Rd: They are considering a Speed Indication Device (SID) facing northbound traffic. It would be located near the Corinth St intersection and will notify drivers if they are exceeding the speed limit.
Crossing at the left-hand slip lane from Remuera Rd into Meadowbank Rd (outside the BP): AT say they will investigate and any crossing will be subject to funding and resources.
Width of intersections: AT are considering improvements to intersections at Bonnie Brae and Manapau Rds with Meadowbank Rd.
Feeder bus to Meadowbank Station: We noted that Meadowbank is the only station with no bus going right up to the station. AT say have decided not to proceed with a feeder bus as it would require the loss of 21 car parks but would look at this again in the future in consultation with Orakei Local Board.

In addition, the letter says that AT have declined to proceed with further investigation or plans for the below issues:

A crossing facility between Corinth St and Mt Carmel Place
Excessive speed on Manapau St
Impacts from intensification (particularly the Special Housing Area at 6-14 Meadowbank Rd): AT say they investigate each development individually and declined to comment on intensification in general.

Sports galore for Colin Maiden Park!

Posted: 15 October 2016

The Colin Maiden Park Master Plan (which was adopted by Orakei Local Board on 4 August 2016) shows new facilities for hockey, swimming, gymnastics and more, plus accommodation for sports teams.

Background

Colin Maiden Park was bought by Auckland Council (following strong lobbying by Orakei Local Board) in 2013.

Last year, Auckland Council consulted the public on their preferred use of the park and which sports should be represented. (See our news article ‘How should Colin Maiden Park be used?‘) The public was presented with three scenarios: each option showed different degrees of development and amenities for new sports such as swimming and hockey, buildings and car-parking.

The Master Plan was created from public feedback (with certain amendments) from these three scenarios.

The final Colin Maiden Park Precinct Master Plan was adopted by Orakei Local Board at a meeting on 4 August 2016, and subject to funding, shows how Colin Maiden Park will be developed for sport and recreational use.

The Master Plan

You can view the full plan at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Further to the Master Plan document, the meeting minutes and meeting agenda provide further information.

In summary, the Master Plan shows:

Existing sports cricket, rugby and tennis retained
New sports accommodated in purpose-built grounds and buildings (or upgrades of existing buildings): swimming, hockey, AFL, gymnastics, basketball and football
Indoor training facility for hockey, cricket, rugby, football and AFL
The existing indoor netball courts building will be extended and will incorporate basketball
Ultimate Frisbee, volleyball and badminton can also be accommodated at the park
Children’s playgrounds, walking track and water fountains.

Before (existing)

Click on the image to see a full-size view

After

Click on the image to see a full-size view. Plus here is the full list of facilities at Colin Maiden Park.

Handy Halloween Posters

Posted: 13 October 2016

From our friends at Neighbourly, here are some useful posters to let your neighbourhood trick-or-treaters know whether they’re welcome (or not) at your house. Click to download:

Halloween free home (PDF)

Trick or treaters welcome (PDF)

Calling all local artists!

Posted: 13 October 2016

Calling all artists in Meadowbank and St Johns, and the wider Orakei area… could you or someone you know create an original artwork that reflects the theme ‘Celebrate!’

This could be just the motivation you need: St Chads Church is holding a ‘Celebrate Art Competition’ where you can display (and possibly sell) your work!

Three age categories to go for, in 2D and 3D art: primary school, secondary school and adult.

Competition judging will take place at this year’s Community Christmas Event on Saturday 3 December (a date to mark in your calendars).

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