After much hard work from the Orakei Local Board (OLB), an application for a 24-apartment building at 1-3 Purewa St was agreed to proceed on a limited notification to those people affected at 1, 3, 5 and 7 Puroto St. As part of this consent process the OLB raised concerns about the impact this development would have on the already stressed Meadowbank wastewater and stormwater systems. Read the Orakei Local Board comments on the development as well as the Duty Comissioner’s determination which has a good description of the issues with the development.
You were likely as surprised as us to see earthworks beginning on the grassy section on the corner of Donnelly St, College Rd and Norman Lesser Drive. While the application to build 84-units on the section is still on hold pending further information from the developer, unbeknown to us in August a separate resource consent for earthworks on the site was approved. The purpose of these earthworks are: “To undertake remediation earthworks of up to 24,800m2 and 31,991m3 and to form suitable contours for future development of the site.” These earthworks will require an estimated 332 truck movements. You can read the full resource consent decision and conditions.
In mid-July 2019 we submitted a petition to Auckland Transport (AT) to have the bus service through St Johns Park reinstated. Thanks again to all who supported the petition. After what appears to be careful consideration of the petition, AT have rejected it providing a number of grounds for their decision. You can see the full AT response here and we appreciate their thoroughness in assessing our proposal.
Because we feel that at least one of the reasons for AT’s decision is questionable, we are considering what other action, if any, we are able and prepared to take. We will report further once we have completed our consideration.
The Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association, jointly with others in the Orakei Local Board area will be hosting the candidates for the Auckland Mayoralty on Monday 30 September 2019 from 7pm at Selwyn Theatre.
We strongly urge all residents to vote in the upcoming local government elections. For the next three years the successful candidate will provide the leadership for Council and our city as well as having a strong influence on the important decisions about Auckland-wide issues. To help you make an informed choice, mayoral candidates will be given the opportunity to:
Give a brief introduction
Provide answers to questions
Answer questions from the audience (time permitting)
It’s local government election time again. It can all seem a bit complicated and hard to figure out who does what, so fear not! We have put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose whose name to put your precious ticks beside. Click here to read what the candidates told us they think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how they would support them.
We are holding a Meet the Candidate evening on 10th September at 7pm at St Chads Church, 38 St Johns Rd. Come along and hear what the candidates have to say so you can make an informed choice.
Why should I vote? Voting in the local elections is important if you are interested in things like:
the quality of water from your tap and at your local beaches
making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians around Auckland
play spaces for children in your local parks
what cultural and sporting events are taking place near you
the rates you pay and the services and assets they pay for
a range of other things, like bus timetables, checking building are built properly, restaurant health rules, alcohol licences, public art and rules around where you can walk your dog.
How and when do I vote? Voting starts 20 September with a postal vote, closing on 12 October 2019. If you have received your orange enrollment update pack at the end of June you are enrolled to vote, but of not click here to get enrolled before Friday 11 October. Your voting papers will be sent to you around 20th September.
How does Auckland Council work? You can find out more about how Auckland Council works here. We will be electing seven Orakei Local Board (OLB) members, one councillor for Orakei Ward or Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward (depending on where you live) and one mayor. There are also elections for Auckland District Health Board run at the same time.
What do the Local Board and Ward Councillors do? Click here to read about the roles and for local boards for councillors.
What is my local board and ward area? Meadowbank and St Johns suburbs both sit within the Orakei Local Board area (shown by the red line in the map above). The ward boundaries are different, with the eastern part of St Johns that is east of College Rd now part of the Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward (light blue on the map), and the rest of Meadowbank and the St Johns Park area sitting within the Orakei Ward (brown on the map). This means for some residents living in a part of St Johns, you will be represented by Orakei Local Board and Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward.
Where can I get more information? Some useful websites are Vote Auckland as well as Vote NZ on information about how to get enrolled.
It’s local government election time again. It can all seem a bit complicated and hard to figure out who does what, so fear not! We have put together a comprehensive guide to help you choose whose name to put your precious ticks beside. Click here to read our guide to when, where, how and why you should vote. There is also information on figuring out which Ward you live in – St Johns east of College Rd to Felton Matthews Rd is Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward, the rest of St Johns and Meadowbank is Orakei Ward.
We are holding a Meet the Candidate evening on 10th September at 7pm at St Chads Church, 38 St Johns Rd. Come along and hear what the candidates have to say.
Who Are the Candidates?
We asked each candidate to send us a brief profile and answer our question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them? Please note that the MBSJRA is politically neutral. In order to best meet our objective of advocating for residents in our suburbs, we are committed to working constructively with people across the political spectrum and with a broad range of views.
Here are the responses that we have from candidates so far (as of 24 August 2019).
Pete Williams
Independent (candidate for OLB and ADHB)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Pete would support them:
Road Safety: Ensuring our excessive speed is reduced by implementing speed traps and creating more crossings where there are high pedestrian numbers.
Parks and Recreation: Advocate for the continuation of the birdsong project ensuring that our recreational spaces are pest and litter free. Advocating for all current and future parks and recreational spaces to be accessible for all including the elderly, the mobility challenged and parents with prams.
Peter (Pete) Williams has spina bifida and has had over fifty operations related to his spina bifida so understands the health system and associated challenges that come with reduced mobility. At birth, doctors predicted a short life expectancy of only three weeks for him. They told his mother not to bother to feed him, Williams remarked in a TVNZ interview. However, despite this Pete has lived a full life. In 1992, he competed in the Kiwi Kids Triathlon, and was the first child with a disability to do so. He attended Auckland University of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Communications in 2005 after majoring in Television Production. Passing on the 2002 Winter Paralympics in order to pursue his education, he competed at the 2010 Winter Paralympics in the giant slalom, where he finished 20th, and the slalom where he finished 22nd. Today, Pete collects for a number of charities close to his heart, is a board member for Parafed Auckland and runs a small business helping the elderly and disabled overcome various challenges in life.
Pete will be an independent community person, offering a fresh set of ears, advocating for different points of view. He’s not here for the politics, but asking for your vote in 2019 because he will make a positive difference in our everyday lives.
Isaac Mercer
Independent (OLB candidate)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Isaac would support them:
Transport: Meadowbank and St Johns have great transport links, be that the frequent 75 bus service, or the trains from Meadowbank Station. However, these transport links lack in connections. Meadowbank station is relatively inaccessible by public transport with only one bus connection, and the 75 has limited connection to nearby St Johns Park and Meadowbank. Isaac will ensure the Ōrākei Local Board supports these core routes by advocating for more connecting services and supporting walking and cycling infrastructure to and from the buses and trains. Meadowbank and St Johns have limited dedicated cycling infrastructure resulting in a less than pleasant environment for cyclists. With the opening of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path, cyclist numbers will only increase. Therefore, the board needs to support cycle lanes throughout the area and on key feeder routes such as St Johns Road. The entire area, including Meadowbank and St Johns, has an issue with vehicle speeds and Isaac will ensure the board supports and lobbies for vehicle speed reductions such speed calming to keep cyclists and pedestrians safe throughout Ōrākei.
Community: Meadowbank and St Johns are privileged to have such a diverse community. This provides great opportunity but also a challenge for the board to incorporate their views on decisions. I will ensure the varying perspectives of those within the community are represented and listened to and provide a strong platform for young people to have their voice heard on the Ōrākei Local Board.
Isaac Mercer will bring an exciting new perspective and direction towards local issues, as a 19-year-old, that has never been represented in Ōrākei. Isaac believes it is time that young people are taken seriously on local issues and have a strong voice for youth behind decision-making tables. Young people are the ones who will be living with the impacts, positive or negative, of decisions made today for the longest. Isaac believes it is time to take their concerns seriously and give young people a voice on the board.
Ōrākei needs to take a new approach with a fresh face and a fresh perspective. To see a fresh face for Ōrākei vote Isaac Mercer for the Ōrākei Local Board.
Better Auckland (candidate for Orakei Local Board and Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor)
Key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how Carmel would support them:
General Transport Safety: As your Transport Lead on the Board I have received a strong message from residents that the ability to move around the area safely and easily is important to you. A key component in easing our traffic congestion is to provide good infrastructure to support alternative transport modes. This takes vehicles off the roads and is good for all of us. We shouldn’t have to drive our children to school because the local environment is too risky for them to walk. I have actively sought solutions and with the OLB have delivered local transport projects as follows:
Securing Community Safety funding for Temple St / Lucia Glade safety Improvements.
Redevelopment of the Meadowbank Community Centre: The Community Centre has been crying out for attention for years. I will continue to work on the optimisation process that will deliver a purpose- built centre – retaining of ownership of the land by Council and sale of the air space above for residential use. This will enable delivery of a valuable amenity at no cost to the ratepayer.
Gowing Drive Connection to the Glen Innes – Tamaki Shared Path: Establishing the Gowing Drive walking/cycling link needed by community to access the GI2TP is vital. It will enable students to walk or cycle to St Thomas’s or Selwyn College, connect the Meadowbank and Kohimarama communities, and take cars off the road – easing congestion on the busy St Johns & Kohimarama Rds. As champion of this project I helped secure a funding allocation of 4.6 million in the Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan. Additional funding from NZTA is required to activate this piece of work. Strong advocacy is still needed. I will continue to champion this project on your behalf as a Local Board member.
I’ve lived in Greenbank Drive St Johns for 12 years. Deputy Chair of the Orakei Local Board, I’ve enjoyed attending the monthly Association meetings over the term. This is a fantastic neighbourhood to live in with a strong community spirit we can all be proud of. A “hands on” environmentalist, I Chair environment groups Friends of Pourewa Valley, and the Tamaki Estuary Environment Forum. I am a founding member and former spokesperson for the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance – dedicated to ensuring you get the best possible value for your hard- earned rates.
Key Priorities in Meadowbank and how Alan would support them:
Pedestrian, cycling and children’s safety: Crossing Remuera Road is a dangerous activity. Especially for school children and senior citizens. I see many people on dark winter evenings standing anxiously half way across the road, protected by nothing but white lines from rush hour traffic. As the unitary plan picks up pace, the traffic density on our roads increases as a result. However, the design of our footpaths and road crossings have not improved to cope with the increased traffic intensity.
Given the level of rates we pay in the Meadowbank and St Johns area, I would like to see a fair proportion returned to our district to address these issues. On Remuera Rd, St Johns Road, and College Road we need to provide double the number of crossings, and pedestrian island sanctuaries on the road median strip. The safety of our children would be improved by preventing rubbish trucks, and heavy truck traffic from our roads during those times children walk to school. Those who want to cycle should feel secure in their commute by being provided with fully separated cycleways well away from vehicles as alternative means to commute to the city, schools, and beaches.
Removing poisons from our communities: Over the last 3 years the dangers of glyphosate and other poisons and their long-term health effects have been widely reported in the media. The extent of poison use such as glyphosate by both the council and private companies is a concern for me. We need to phase out the use of poisons and seek alternatives.
A plan to return Remuera Golf Course to true public use: The Remuera Golf Course is publicly owned land around 60 hectares. Unusually this very large piece of land has had its lease renewed until 2091. We really need to work with Remuera Golf Club to shorten the lease on much of this land, and instead develop it as a resource for multiple sports and activities such as mountain biking, adventure playgrounds for our youth, climbing sports, community gardens. It would be also be an excellent site for an urban educational facility centred around outdoor recreation activities. Some smaller sections of this land could be returned to predator free native forest, bringing an appreciation of nature back into the community, and essentially providing a separation between activities.
As a long-term resident of Ōrākei living in Meadowbank, I believe we live in a beautiful part of the city, but it is one that needs protecting and enhancing for current residents and future generations.
Troy Churton
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Troy has extensive legal and governance experience, certified RMA Commissioner, current OLB portfolio lead for planning and regulatory. Troy holds processing planners to account and advocates strongly for community views. Lifelong local resident, committed to enhancing local amenity and lifestyle qualities, helped secure $1.2m sport improvement funding for Orakei area, will ensure master plans for recreational reserves are completed.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Colin Davis
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Current member and past chairman of Orakei Local Board. St Heliers resident 48 years. Extensive local government experience and community involvement. Former Chairman Eastern Bays Community Board, City Councillor, City Valuer, City Secretary. Colin is committed to preserving the area’s special character, upgrading core services, prudent expenditure, efficiency and open government.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Troy Elliott
C&R – Community and Residents (candidate for OLB and ADHB)
Troy Elliott is an Ellerslie resident and current Chair of the Ellerslie Residents’ Association. Troy has worked with AT to achieve local outcomes on transport and parking. He has a wealth of experience in management, been involved with several charities, and is currently a speaker and advocate for Breast Cancer.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Scott Milne
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
A solution-driven team player, Scott is determined to improve transport, beaches and parks in the area. He has served six years on the Auckland City Council. He previously owned Wylies Pharmacy, Remuera before starting the Life pharmacy group and has a wide range of governance, community, volunteer and business experience.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
Sarah Powrie
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
Lifelong local resident with diverse experience ranging from owning and managing small business to strategic planning and stakeholder support. Sarah will bring her collaborative vision, energy and commitment to the team to help build thriving community centres, clubs and libraries and advance the economic development of local business.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?\
Margaret Voyce
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
An active local resident association member, Margaret fostered community engagement challenging parts of the proposed Unitary Plan and helped collaborate with Auckland Transport on local parking issues. Margaret will make sure core infrastructure is in place, improve Council service delivery for Orakei and ensure communications are cost-effective.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
David Wong
C&R – Community and Residents (OLB candidate)
David has been a committed member of the Orakei Local Board for the last three years. He has been portfolio lead on Community Facilities and Services. David is focused on the preservation of local parks, community spaces, working on youth and cultural initiatives and supporting the growth of local business.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them?
C&R – Community and Residents response to question on key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how the C&R Candidates would support them:
1. Working with Panuku Development Auckland to get the new Meadowbank Community Centre completed:
Successive C&R – Communities and Residents Orakei Local Boards have made the redevelopment of the Meadowbank Community Centre top priority in their local board plans.
Your new C&R – Orakei Local Board team will continue to collaborate with Panuku Development Auckland to ensure this project is successfully completed.
2. Transforming pedestrian access with a Gowing Drive connection to our Glen Innes – Tamaki shared pathway This pathway will provide a fantastic new recreational and commuter opportunity for cyclists and pedestrians. The current C&R – Orakei Local Board championed progress of the Gowing Drive connection and other local connections to the path enabling greater local school access. The Orakei Local Board has committed $2m capital funding. Your new C&R Orakei Local Board team has the experience and relationship skills needed to ensure that Council and Auckland Transport work with the New Zealand Transport Agency to ensure this project is completed.
3. Improving local road safety by completing transport safety projects: The present C&R – Orakei Local Board has used the additional allocation of $830,000 for funding transport safety projects, to prioritise a further three new Meadowbank and St Johns safety projects.
Your new C&R – Communities and Residents Local Board team for 2019 will see these projects completed and will consult with the Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association on further improvements.
4. Advocating for better outcomes in the Resource Management Act/Auckland Council Unitary Plan process: The present C&R – Communities and Residents local board team has a proven record successfully advocating for residents’ concerns regarding the negative effects of Unitary Plan infringements. Your new C&R Orakei Local Board team retains that experience and determination to work for you to ensure local development is within the rules.
Desley Simpson
C&R – Community and Residents (Orakei Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Desley would support them:
1. Working with Panuku Development Auckland to get the new Meadowbank Community Centre completed: I will continue to collaborate with the new C&R Board team and support their dealings with Panuku Development Auckland to ensure this project is successfully completed.
2. Transforming pedestrian access with a Gowing Drive connection to our Glen Innes – Tamaki shared pathway: I achieved majority support on the Governing Body to recognise this project, advocated by the C&R Board, as regionally significant and helped secure funding for the Board to then commit to it. This pathway will provide a fantastic new recreational and commuter opportunity for cyclists and pedestrians.
3. Improving local road safety by completing transport safety projects: I doubled the Orakei Local Board’s transport capital fund and then secured an additional $830,000 for local safety projects. Your new C&R – Communities and Residents Local Board team for 2019 will use the funding I secured them to be able to deliver more transport solutions across the Orakei Ward including those in Meadowbank and St Johns
Examples of how I have achieved for Auckland: I championed a new value for money programme which has independent people assess the efficiency of Council departments. Eight have been done so far, saving ratepayers $260million dollars in just 2 years. I am the only Councillor to put up ten resolutions to tighten the control over Auckland Transport, making them more accountable to the people they serve including making them report on congestion which is costing business and ratepayers approx $1 billion per year in loss of productivity.
As chair of the Quality Advice Committee, I added a reporting requirement for financial implications and risks and mitigations to elected member agendas. NZIER have now scored Auckland Council highest ever on their quality advice Secured funding towards the OLB’s priority project ( Shared path link at Meadowbank into the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path ). Delivered funding and improvements to Tamaki Drive to assist mitigate flooding issues.
Josephine Bartley
Labour (Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Josephine will support them:
Transport – With intensification and construction work in the area causing major delays and congestion it is important we have workable options for getting around better, whether that be walking, cycling, public transport or driving your car. As you would have seen the traffic backs up along Merton Road heading into Apirana Ave because of the Watercare works on Elstree Ave. As I am the Councillor for Maungakiekie Tamaki I have been working with the Maungakiekie Tamaki Local board chair to find effective solutions for traffic management while these works are carried out, this will in turn benefit you in the Orakei side because you are neighbouring area and traffic backing up is all connected. I supported the Eastern Busway project which will mean more increased usage of the busway from Pakuranga, Botany side into Panmure, this will help ease up congestion for our area. I supported the increase to the Local board transport capital fund and the establishment of the local board safety fund both resolutions led by Cr Simpson. I see the amazing work by this local board regarding the Tamaki shared pathway and as Councillor for the neighbouring ward I saw the benefits for both sides of the ward which I will continue to support. If re-elected I look forward to working with the Orakei Local board and the Orakei Councillor to address further transport issues in the area.
Community development – It is great to see progress with the Meadowbank community centre and I will work with the Orakei Local board and Orakei Councillor to ensure Panuku delivers a centre that you are proud of. I share the aspiration of the residents association for more inclusive neighbourhoods as it is more enriching being part of a community rather than just going to work and coming home and not getting involved in shaping the place where you live and meeting the people in your area.
Environment – We have so much beautiful green space in our area and ecological restoration is a priority that both Maungakiekie Tamaki and Orakei local boards have been working on as both sides share parks on the border e.g Apirana Reserve. I will continue to advocate for regional initiatives and funding that benefit us locally for example pest eradiction funding through the Natural Environment rate.
Josh Beddell
C&R – Community and Residents (Maungakiekie-Tamaki Ward Councillor candidate)
I’m local and experienced. My family moved to Glen Innes in the 1950s. I was born on Konini Road, attended One Tree Hill College and have lived locally with my family for over 15 years. I offer more than a decade of experience in community engagement, project management and advocating for our local residents.
You get common-sense and careful spending with me. I’ll focus on: cutting waste, core council services, safer neighbourhoods, reducing the cost of living, axing the petrol tax and taking control of AT. We must tackle congestion, get Auckland moving and invest heavily in quality infrastructure. We can’t afford 3 more years of this Council. You deserve better. I’ll be your strong voice and will fight for you everyday.
See below C&R candidate statements for C&R candidate block response to question: What do you think are the key priorities in Meadowbank and St Johns and how would you support them.
Patrick O’Meara
United Locals (Maungakiekie-Ward Councillor candidate)
Key priorities for Meadowbank and St Johns and how Patrick will support them:
Transport: With my professional knowledge of road and construction ,working for Local Bodies and Fulton Hogan civil construction and motorways, I see the failures of Auckland Transport at a Local Level daily.Auckland Transport need to be back under Council Control and to be held responsible by you the people. Cutting wasteful spending and prioritising Core Council Services. To complete the Tamaki shared path with proper input and outcomes for our community including finishing A.M.E.T.I. to Merton Road. Providing safer roads for our community
Community Development: I am a Stakeholder and have been working with Panuku on Unlock Panmure, and as a Community Leader, President of the Panmure Historical Society Inc, as well as Chair for Panmure Basin Advisory Committee I’m looking forward to working with Orakei Councillor and the Orakei Local Board to ensure that your voice is heard and understood. I will meet with Locals & Associations and people who also wish to be listened to over the next 3 years.
Environment: I know and care and am Appalled at the lack of Action and Accountability by Council and Local Boards, being the Chairperson of the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society for the last 5 years, they are hiding the true state of our Waterways, Estuaries and Harbour. Council continue to misrepresent the true state of the environment. Our beaches are closed due to water quality and pollution, because of failing infrastructure and due to unchecked population growth and are now at an all time low. The Eastern Birdsong Project whom I’ve worked with in the past needs to expand into Maungakeikei – Tamaki and open an enhance the green corridor to include the restoration of the Point to Point Walkway. Also getting Wai-o-Taiki Bay / Omaru Creek Nature Reserve- status and protection for the future generations.
I will be your independent (Non-Party) strong Local Voice ensuring your Rates are well spent. UNITED LOCALS your LOCAL VOICE.
We are having a party! Winter is coming to an end and we are organising our first neighbourhood potluck party to celebrate the beginning of spring. Come and join us at St Chads Church on 31 August from 6-8pm. Bring along your family, friends and neighbours and a dish to share. You can also test your local knowledge of our area with our quiz designed on the theme of the surprisingly rich vein of “local stuff”.
Help improve neighbourliness and well being in our suburbs by forming connections with the people that live around you. If you are keen to join or willing to help us with the event preparation please email us . Click here for more information.
We are embarking on an ambitious plan to make neighbourhoods in Meadowbank and St Johns more inclusive. We want to encourage people to get to know their neighbours, make better use of our under-utilised public spaces and reduce social isolation, among other lofty aims. This would have huge benefits in natural disasters and other emergency situations, as well as improving the mental health of our suburbs residents.
This year we set up a Community Wellbeing Subcommitte to progress our aims for inclusive neighbourhoods. The Subcommitte Chairperson Ensiyeh Ghavampour has put together a presentation to outline the importance of an inclusive community and what steps we can all take towards making this happen. Click the hyperlink to see the Inclusive Neighbourhoods Presentation and get in touch if you have any thoughts on other initiatives or things you think we could do in this space. Even better get in touch if you’d like to get involved!
Summary of MBSJRA’s Opinion on the Draft Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan
Waiatarua Reserve currently provides great off-leash dog recreation, but the presence of off-leash dogs has meant that other recreation activities that could take place in the reserve have not been developed, especially recreation opportunities for our children. We believe that at 41 hectares with 16 hectares of grassland and paths, that the reserve is big enough for many recreation uses without impacting on off-leash dog activities. With an estimated 84% of households in Auckland not being dog owners, and an estimated 89% of households in Meadowbank and St Johns not owning dogs we believe that this justifies alternate recreation areas in the Reserve.
According the Auckland Council’s Policy on Dogs 2012 Waiatarua Reserve is an off-leash dog area: “a place where dogs may be off-leash but still must be under control. A place shared with other users.” While we agree that the vast majority of dogs owners do a good job at controlling their dogs in the reserve, the natural exuberance of dogs enjoying off-leash play it is not always compatible with recreation such as kicking a ball with kids. Feedback from residents and examples of poorly controlled dogs interacting with families means we believe that a on-leash dog area is needed in the reserve.
The draft Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan goes a long way to addressing the environmental improvements that we have sought, but we believe that recreation areas suitable for picnics, ball games and outdoor play are vital to ensure that our children grow up with a connection to the environment and grow up to value it, and that they gain an understanding of the importance of maintaining our environment into the future. We propose a small area of the Reserve be designated on-leash and that this area be used for outdoor recreation and play. Simple fencing similar to that at the playground at the western end of the reserve would be perfect. Click here to download the draft enhancement plan and submit your feedback.
How Do I Provide Feedback?
The Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan is now available and your feedback is requested, closing 12 August 2019. Auckland Council is seeking your input on:
– what you use the reserve for
– when you visit the reserve
– what recreation facilities you’d like to have available
– your environmental priorities.
There will also be a drop-in event at the Menz Shed (in the Abbotts Way car park) 10am – 12noon on Saturday 3 August 2019.
What Is the Background to This Plan?
Waiatarua Reserve covers 41 hectares with 16 hectares of open meadows and paths suitable for recreation. The reserve is a unique area of open space in our suburbs and has many opportunities for environmental and recreation improvements. The purpose of the Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan is to ensure that developments are consistent with the themes of the reserve, protect the natural values and prevent it from being cluttered with ad-hoc developments. It is one of over 2500 beaches, parks and reserves listed as off-leash dog walking areas in Auckland.
What Does MBSJRA Think of the Plan?
We have reviewed the draft Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan and believe that it covers the much needed environmental improvements that we sought to ensure that the wetland health is improved. The plan also outlines the need for increased pest management for animals, fish and plants deemed pests. We like the improved links with the neighbouring golf course too and improved amenities such as seating and rubbish bins.
However, we believe that with 16 hectares of open space, and with suburban backyards increasingly shrinking, that there is also scope to further improve the recreation amenity in the Reserve. While well utilised as an off-leash dog walking area, the presence of off-leash dogs precludes other recreation activities such as causal backyard style cricket or soccer games with friends. Discussions with residents with children show that the reserve is not especially well used by that group due to the presence of dogs, and examples of dogs intimidating children and interfering with their play are many. There is a small playground area at the far western end of the park, but this playground area is not large enough for anything other than playing on the provided play equipment. The popularity of this playground demonstrates that people want to get outside with their children and that people think that Waiatarua Reserve is a great place to do this.
Waiatarua Reserve is a huge green area with more than enough space for everyone that wants to use it, and increasingly in this day and age we need to find ways to increase the amount of time our children spend outside, eating outside, active outside and feeling a connection to our environment and ownership of the importance of maintaining it into the future. Studies also show time and again that for improved physical and mental health we need to get our kids (as well us adults too) outside and active, so why not make use of the biggest green space in the suburb? Notwithstanding that Waiatarua is a regional facility as well and hugely popular with dog owners generally we believe it is too valuable a green space to be solely dedicated to our four-legged friends.
Where Could These Recreation Areas Be?
To be clear, this proposal would have little if any impact on dog walking in the Reserve. The area to the left of the entrance way at 139/141 Grand Drive is the prime location for a recreation area with dogs on-leash. As shown by this flood zone map on page 11 of the plan, the area is not flood prone and observations show that the area is impressively dry even after heavy rain. It’s also accessible via a separate bridge close to the boundary with 147 Grand Drive. It is adjacent to the golf course and a planned path connecting the two areas, and is already planted with mature exotic trees, and of course is the closest point to the Meadowbank town centre. This area is identified in the plan as an area suitable to “provide opportunities to connect with nature and lean about natural and cultural aspects of the reserve” (page 29) and suitable for high infrastructure intensity.
The main feature that a recreation area with dogs on-leash needs is a very basic fence to delineate the area on all sides. This could be similar to the basic fence surrounding the play area in the south-western corner of the park. We would like to see closer cropped grass if possible, picnic tables under the trees, and assuming it’s far enough away from the houses (which are elevated and screened by hedges and trees) some play equipment for kids would be ideal. These could even be more nature based e.g. tree trunk stepping stone type play equipment and other natural material based Māori traditional play (māra hūpara) as have been installed in playgrounds elsewhere in Auckland. We would prefer to see this clustered in one area where children can play without dogs around.
Trees provide the perfect obstacle course.
If the Grand Drive entrance area of the reserve is not deemed suitable, then pushing out the fenced area at the current playground into the large, flat, open space there (noted as 13a on page 27 of the plan and pictured above) to enable some balls/frisbees/picnic sitting on the ground, meeting other families etc without having to worry about kids and picnics vs. off-leash dogs, or indeed a space for older children to be able to go down with their friend, be somewhat independent and having a good time out of the house. The path currently used by dog walkers could be re-routed to the east of this proposed area.
Photo credit: Theo Leach
This area only needs to be about the size of Meadowbank School’s field, which is an extremely small percentage of the reserve – compare these two maps to get an idea of the size of the area we are suggesting:
How Many Auckland Households Own Dogs? How Many Households Own Dogs in Meadowbank and St Johns?
According to Auckland Council an estimated 15% of Auckland households are registered dog owners, with slightly lower ownership rates in Meadowbank and St Johns. This means that 85% or more of households don’t own dogs. We believe this supports a more varied use of Waiatarua Reserve, and its size, geography and the route that dog owners generally walk their dogs would easily adapt to more varied recreational uses.
Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012
The Auckland Council Policy on Dogs 2012 notes that Waiatarua Reserve is designated as “an off-leash area – a place where dogs may be off a leash but must still be under control. A place shared with other users.” This Policy on Dogs also notes that being a responsible dog owner means (among other things) being particularly vigilant near children and closely supervise interaction, respect other people’s personal space and to remember that public spaces are for everyone’s enjoyment and not everyone is fond of dogs. While we agree that the vast majority of dogs owners do a good job at controlling their dogs in the reserve, due to feedback from residents and examples of poorly controlled dogs we believe that a recreation area where dogs need to be on-leash is needed in the reserve. Our preference is for all dogs in Waiatarua Reserve to be well controlled as per the Dog Policy so that a separate recreation area is not needed, but unfortunately this is not the current situation.
Our Presentation to Orakei Local Board in September 2019
In September 2019 we presented to the Orakei Local Board at their monthly meeting on what we would like to see as part of the Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan. You can read the content of the presentation here and the powerpoint presentation here. The Orakei Local board passed a resolution to explore an additional designated on-leash dog area. We thank the Orakei Local Board for the opportunity to present to them and for considering our request.
Due to the level and variety of concerns that have been expressed by residents in the area around the proposed 81 unit development on the formerly Council owned land bordered by Norman Lesser Drive. Ngahue Drive, Donnelly St and College Rd, we have set up a petition in an endeavor to have the development publicly notified so that all concerns can be expressed. We have also made attempts to have the developer address the issues at a meeting but have so far had no response. To sign the petition click here and contact us at mbsjra@gmail to arrange to have the original document collected. Time is of the essence so do not delay!
At the Residents Association we are not anti-development and understand the commercial realities of making a development like this work and the importance of provide housing units during a housing shortage. However we believe that a development of this scale needs to be well considered and robustly debated and critiqued. There is a real danger that in 20 years time we are going to look back on the bulk, cheap and sometimes poor quality housing we rushed to build and shake our heads in disbelief that we let it happen. Read more about the Donnelly St development here.
Pete Williams
Isaac Mercer
Carmel Claridge
Alan Barraclough
Troy Churton
Colin Davis
Troy Elliott
Scott Milne
Sarah Powrie
Margaret Voyce
David Wong
Desley Simpson
Josephine Bartley
Josh Beddell
Patrick O’Meara
