News | Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association - Part 6 - Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association

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Recent News

Final decision for Replacement Orakei Basin Balustrade

Posted: 13 December 2018

The results of NZTA’s consultation are in and their final decision on a more suitable balustrade for the Orakei Basin Boardwalk is in – option B pictured below. We are very pleased that the height has been lowered and that the project team has taken on board the community’s opinions that the views from the boardwalk are very important. Read the full press release below and thank you to everyone who took the time to provide feedback and voice your dissatisfaction and desire for something much more suitable for years to come.

Final design decided for Orakei Basin balustrade

Thursday 13 December

The NZ Transport Agency is pleased to announce that following a second round of public feedback the design and materials of a replacement balustrade for the Orakei Basin boardwalk has been selected. The Orakei Basin boardwalk forms Section 3 of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path, a seven kilometre walking and cycling path, connecting people with routes at Pt England and Tamaki Drive.

The balustrade that has been selected comprises a mix of metal and wood, with thin metal slats to provide the best visibility of the surrounding area. It was the preferred option in a second round of consultation about a replacement balustrade for this section of the path. This option received 67% of votes (156 votes) from the 233 people overall who took part in the survey.

The combination of materials and design also provides better visibility which was important to people and is likely to tie in better with other balustrade designs planned for sections 2 and 4 of the shared path.

The Transport Agency’s Director of Regional Relationships Steve Mutton says it understood from the community that the height of the balustrade was a key design element.

“During the process to change the balustrade from what was originally designed, we established the community wanted whatever we built to be only 1.2 metres high and not 1.4 metres, because people said that 1.4 metres high blocks the beautiful views across the basin. We are pleased that we are able to deliver that outcome for the community as we know that this area is precious to locals and a real treat for visitors.”

“It has been a more difficult process to establish the preferred materials and design of the balustrade but we are pleased that this round of feedback is quite clear that people prefer the mostly metal option.”

“It is also in line with a very important theme that came out during both rounds of consultation including the two open days. People are keen on a design that allows them the best view of the surrounding area.”

“The Transport Agency knows there is also support for a design that replicated the all wooden balustrade that was there originally but this is not the majority view that has emerged during two rounds of consultation.”

We are now focused on getting the new balustrade manufactured and installed as soon as possible so that this section of the path can be fully open for everyone to enjoy.

The boardwalk is expected to be finished by the middle of 2019. The Transport Agency is grateful to the public for their feedback and also for their patience while the work is undertaken to complete this section of the path.

Feedback about Section 2 of the shared path was also sought during the past few months and results from that round of consultation will be available early next year.

Sign our petition to extend the bus network to St Johns Park

Posted: 21 November 2018

What is the petition about?

Residents in the St Johns Park area are concerned that there is no longer a bus service due to the former #635 route being cancelled with the changes made to the bus network in July 2018. As a result MBSJRA are sponsoring a petition requesting Auckland Transport to alter the bus network to cover the former #635 bus area in St Johns Park. We need your help to ensure that Auckland Transport understands that this issue is important to local residents.

Auckland Transport have shown that they are prepared to review bus routes based on demonstrated support, as shown by the two previously successful petitions set up by local resident Richard Roxburgh and strongly supported by this Association. As a direct result of these previous petitions we now have a bus route to Meadowbank Train Station, on past Selwyn College and St Thomas’ School to Mission Bay. We want the St Johns Park area be included in the new bus network in such a way that residents in this area can also enjoy the bus route that resulted from the previous petitions.

If a bus service in St Johns Park is of concern to you, we urge you to add weight to what we are requesting from Auckland Transport by signing the petition.

How can I sign the petition?

The petition is being circulated and will be available at our monthly meetings on 11 December 2018 and 12 February 2019. You can also download a petition sheet here, print it, sign it (get some friends to sign too!) and post to MBSJRA, PO Box 87285, Meadowbank, Auckland 1742.

Note: MBSJRA undertakes only to use the information that you provide in this form specifically for the purpose of this petition. It will be presented it to Auckland Transport but not shared with any other third party.

What can I do to help?

The next step in gathering signatures is to consider taking the petition door to door but for this we need volunteers please – if you can help by covering your own street or even part of it please get in touch, or even just print a sheet, go ahead and start gathering signatures.

Information to consider when signing this petition

The purpose of the petition is to influence Auckland Transport to alter the new Bus Network which took effect in July 2018 so that the St Johns Park area is included in the network in such a way that residents in that area will also have a bus connection with the Meadowbank Town Centre, the Meadowbank Train Station, Selwyn College and St Thomas’ School and to the waterfront at Mission Bay.

There are four reasons for this:

The New Bus Network eliminated the previous #635 bus which means the nearest public transport available to residents in the St Johns Park area is the bus route on St Johns Rd which entails a walk of up to 900m for some residents to the closest bus stop. This walk is a significant barrier to the use of public transport, from the viewpoint that it is time-consuming (the walk to St Johns Rd could take up to 15 minutes) and more importantly, for residents who are elderly or disabled, the walk which is up/down a significant slope is daunting and more so in both hot summer and cold/wet winter weather conditions.
The St Johns Park area includes residents in an older age range and it is felt likely (for reasons of relatively high property values and a more restrictive zoning) that average ages are likely to increase over time. Without convenient access to public transport, residents in this area will effectively be left with no option but to either remain house-bound, to use private vehicles for their whole journey or to park on St Johns Rd or at the Meadowbank Train Station to access public transport. Parking at either of these locations is problematic.
The 635 bus did not provide access to the Meadowbank Train Station meaning the change we are proposing would open up a larger catchment area for public transport by rail as well as providing a public transport link with the Meadowbank Town Centre (including what will be a new Community Centre), Selwyn College and St Thomas’ School and with the waterfront.
Meadowbank Train Station now has even more limited car parking available. Currently commuters are parking on residential streets throughout the day in many of the Meadowbank streets, commonly extending up to the Meadowbank Road / Tahapa Crescent intersection. This may be partially alleviated by a more efficient bus connection.

Community Centre Background to Funding the Redevelopment

Posted: 15 November 2018

Following on from the Meadowbank Community Centre user group meeting held in early October 2018, we have sought to clarify the history on funding decisions to redevelop the community centre (there is a long history!) and also sought to better understand the decision to work with Panuku (Auckland Council’s development arm) and a private development partner to fund the rebuild. According to this article written in 2012 the community raised funds for a community centre in the 1980s and the building is now approximately 75 years old. Carmel Claridge of the Orakei Local Board has kindly put together some background information below on these funding decisions.

We will keep you updated on progress and consultation with this significant build, and are very pleased to see planning on a better fit-for-purpose space being available to our community after decades of delays.

Background to Funding Meadowbank Community Centre Redevelopment

Few would argue that the current state of the current Meadowbank Community Centre is not up to standard. The cost of constant repairs on an old, and rapidly depreciating building are now becoming prohibitive. Previous Orakei Local Boards have lobbied to the Governing Body of Auckland Council for the required funding for an upgrade for the Centre for many years.

In 2012 Auckland Council voted for $2.75 million of funding to be allocated for the redevelopment of the Community Centre through the Council’s 2016/2017 Long Term Plan. Unfortunately this funding did not come to fruition.

In 2014 the Orakei Ward Councillor at that time, Cameron Brewer, tried to persuade his colleagues around the Council table to bring that funding forward to 2014/2015. Unfortunately, not only did the majority of Council vote not to do so, the funding was pushed out even further to 2020. It is highly unlikely, given the escalating costs of building materials and inflation, that by 2020 this amount of this funding would be sufficient to build a new Centre.

The current Board was therefore left with a situation where they had a structure in a very poor state, with insufficient resources within their own budget for a renewal, having to wait until 2020 for Regional funding. Funding which could continue to be deferred. An assessment report on the building’s condition indicated that it was currently not ‘fit for purpose’ – and the Board had concerns that there was a very real prospect of this asset deteriorating to the extent where it would be deemed non-service. Should a Council property be deemed non-service through Council’s internal processes, it can potentially be removed from the Local Board’s governance by the Governing Body of Council and passed over to Panuku Development Auckland (Council’s development arm) The current Board was not prepared to take the risk of losing this important community asset.

An optimization process whereby the ownership of the site is retained by Council but developed by Panuku, in conjunction with a private partner is the key to obtaining the required funding needed for the Centre and securing the site for the future. The Board’s vision is for a mixed use development with community facilities and Board offices on the ground floor, with housing above. The community facilities will be designed to accommodate a mixed used of new and existing community services. This will enable the Centre to be better used by the wider community.

The decisions to enable commencement of the process to redevelop were made by the Orakei Local Board at its September Business Meeting after long and careful consideration of all options that were available to us. We have complete confidence that those decisions we have made are in the best interests of our communities, and will deliver a new purpose built community facility to our constituents that will stand the test of time. It is anticipated that the sale of the airspace for housing above the ground floor facilities will enable this much needed development for our community to be provided on a cost neutral basis.

Well before any building work starts, the public will have ample opportunity to provide their input into how they would like their Centre to look and what aspirations they have for the types of services they would like to see delivered.

Carmel Claridge – Deputy Chairman

Orakei Local Board

You Can Help Reduce Local Wastewater Overflows

Posted: 29 October 2018

Last week bought a shocking discovery of raw sewerage being discharged directly into Purewa Creek due to a blockage in the system. Councillor Desley Simpson was on the case and Watercare were called and promptly located the problem. There was a blockage in the network due to fats and wet wipes/rags. To avoid overflows and wastewater discharges to our beautiful streams please follow the information on the poster and only flush the 3 Ps (pee, paper and poop) to keep our wastewater system flowing. Below is a letter from Desley Simpson outlining the legacy issues with the Purewa wastewater network and what is being done to make sure that raw sewerage gets to the treatment facility.

UPDATE: Watercare have sent out this pamphlet with the latest round water bills explaining what caused the sewerage overflow and what you can do to prevent further incidents. In response to the incident, later this year council will inspect properties in western Meadowbank to ensure their stormwater drainage is correctly installed to the stormwater network and not the wastewater network. Please follow the guidance so that we don’t need to waste our ratepayer money fixing issues that could be avoided, and so we can keep our streams and beaches swimable.

Friday 26 October

Dear MBSJRA,

On Wednesday this week local residents brought to my attention raw sewage overflowing from a stormwater pipe in Meadowbank. I visited the site and sadly found this to be true with wet wipes, tampons and excrement obvious and disgorging into the Purewa Creek. Within 30 mins of my call, Watercare was on site to fix the problem.

By way of background, the wastewater network in this area was predominately constructed in the 1950’s, by Housing New Zealand. It is a purpose-built separate wastewater network and currently has sufficient capacity for dry weather flows.

Watercare’s latest system performance assessment of the Purewa wastewater network indicates that small sections of the wastewater network will require upgrading to provide capacity for growth based on the land use changes and upzoning provided in the Operative Auckland Unitary Plan. I will be pushing hard for those upgrades to happen.

The are two engineered overflow points within the Purewa wastewater network that allows wastewater to spill during heavy rainfall or when blockage occurs in the network. These are network relief points and are designed like this to reduce the risk of overflows occurring on private properties.

The wastewater overflow that I observed at the creek was a result of a blockage in the network due to fats and wet wipes/rags. The fat congeals and the non-flushable wet wipes bind with the fats and creates the blockage. Wet wipes/rags do not break down and remain in one piece.

Watercare will shortly be sending out a customer newsletter to their Purewa customers, which will provide information on how to help reduce local overflows. Anything that Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association can do to assist in that education and awareness will be greatly appreciated. Watercare have also installed monitors at each of the engineered overflow locations. These monitor the performance of the network and we will send an alarm when a dry weather overflow occurs, which will allow Council to respond rapidly. Watercare also intend to modify the two engineered overflow points to lessen the frequency of overflows during wet weather. They aim to have this completed within a few weeks.

I understand that there could be up to 60 properties that have historical consented stormwater (roofs and paved areas) connections to the wastewater network. Healthy Waters (Council’s regional water quality department) will be carrying out field investigations of the drainage connection status of these properties during December 2018, and based on the outcome they will look to construct new stormwater infrastructure to allow the 60 properties to connect to the new stormwater pipes.

I trust this overview is useful and request if possible this information can go out in your newsletter and be placed on your website to ensure residents are informed.

Ngā mihi,

Councillor Desley Simpson

Frustration at Further Delays Constructing GI to Tamaki Drive Shared Path

Posted: 29 October 2018

As some of you may have heard, Stage 2 of the GI-TD Shared Path is delayed with the remaining section 2 (Pourewa Valley) and section 4 (Hobson Bay to Tamaki Drive) now not estimated to be completed until 2021. That’s right, 2021.

We asked our Past Chair, Tim Duguid for a personal reflection on the project:

“When the project started in 2014, my two children attended Selwyn College, and they both looked forward to using it to get to school: a short hop across the valley from Meadowbank Road would beat the school bus any day. Or a 45 minute walk or a bike ride round St Johns and Kohi Roads. The project timeline slipped and my daughter left school, and now today is my son’s last day at school. He gave up any hope of using the path sometime last year. Just a few more bike rides on the footpaths and mixing it with the traffic for his final exam days and that will be that.

Setting a date of 2021 means anyone currently in Year 12 or Year 11 or quite likely Year 10 won’t get to use it either. That’s a couple of hundred more of our teenagers consigned to the bus and the main roads over the next three years. Or a car ride, perish the thought. It’s a similar story for younger children at St Thomas’s of course.

It’s equally frustrating for anyone else wanting to cross the valley for any other reason. In my case, mostly for running around the Pourewa Valley and down to the waterfront.

I think Auckland Transport (AT), NZTA and others have completely failed to manage expectations: two years has become seven years. Seven years to build a path, which has overwhelming support throughout the community. Meanwhile, along with many others, I’ve written submissions, attended workshops, given up time to get to meetings with the project team. At one such meeting back in 2015, I relayed a comment from a resident that ‘any path, however rudimentary’ would be better than waiting years.

I just want to see this done. Done properly, and the sooner the better.”

What we say: please keep making your voice heard, however long this takes! Let’s do what we can to make sure Stage 2 of the GI-TD Shared Path delivers the outcomes we want. Click here to view the consultation information, graphics and also find links to give feedback on Sections 2 and 3 here. AT are seeking feedback until 9 November 2018.

Community Centre Redevelopment – Notes From User Group Meeting

Posted: 29 October 2018

The Orakei Local Board held a meeting for people who currently use the Meadowbank Community Centre to discuss the site redevelopment. It was a very important meeting and first step on this journey. Topics covered were:

• Projected redevelopment timelines
• Relocation assistance for groups
• Funding opportunities
• New centre development and community engagement opportunities.

The meeting was well attended and there was much lively discussion with plenty of questions and concerns raised. What’s proposed is a much larger indoor space (potentially 600 m2 compared to 250 m2) on the ground floor that can accommodate the activities currently held at MCC, Tahapa Hall and elsewhere, but less outdoor space. In addition, the OLB offices (about 150 m2) will be on the ground floor. Four stories above (to the Unitary Plan height limit) are proposed for apartments built to 6-star building standard.

The formal consultation process will open soon ahead of consenting and construction, which may begin as soon as October 2019. We’ll keep you posted, and will very likely make a collective submission.

We have been informed that there should be no change to way the centre is operated until the 7^th July 2019, when the current operational contract ends. From the 8^th July until the start of the redevelopment (date still unknown) the centre will temporarily be managed by Auckland Council, ensuring groups still have access to the facility until the redevelopment starts.

As requested at the user group meeting, below is a updated list of frequently asked questions around the redevelopment of the centre.

FAQ’s (correct as of 25/10/18)

When will the current centre close?

The Ōrākei Local Board has approved the redevelopment of the Meadowbank Community Centre site. This project is being led by Panuku Development Auckland (Panuku) an Auckland Council organisation that focuses on development and regeneration. Panuku is in the process of engaging a building partner. Building timelines will be agreed and approved once this partner is identified. Once a building partner has been approved a building time line will be agreed upon. The centre will remain open until the redevelopment starts.

Will the Meadowbank Community Centre House Incorporated (The Trust) continue to operate the centre?

The Meadowbank Community Centre House Incorporated (The Trust) will continue to operate the centre until expiry of its contract 30 June 2019. A weeks extension has been granted to allow time for the Trust to end operational matters in alignment with the end of the programme term. We would like to acknowledge the Meadowbank Community Centre House Incorporated and their staff for their longstanding years of community service to the Meadowbank Community.

What will happen to the centre between the 8^th July and the start of the redevelopment?

During the interim period 8th July 2019 and the start of redevelopment operational management will be undertaken by Auckland Council. Existing groups will get priority over any new bookings during this period and legacy room rates will still apply.

Where can my group/programme operate from during the redevelopment?

Auckland Council staff will assist current user groups find suitable spaces to relocate their groups/programme should they require this support. This could include other Auckland Council community venues or community operated venues in the area. If a suitable venue is found it will be the responsibility of each group to complete their relocation directly with their new venue provider.

What can I do if the space I move to during the redevelopment is more expensive than my current space?

If there is a difference between the current charges at Meadowbank Community Centre and your new venue, you can apply to the Ōrākei Local Board for a grant to cover the different. The Ōrākei Local Board has made a commitment to supporting community groups to continue to operate during the redevelopment, with the long-term vision that they re-join the new community centre when it is open.

Will my group/programme fit in the new centre?

The configuration or floor plan of the new community centre has not been designed yet, this will be designed with the feedback and information provided by the current and future user groups in future community consultations.

What will the inside of the new centre look like?

The new development will be a mixed-use building. The ground floor will be a community space and the above floors residential apartments. The building is yet to be designed but it will be guided by the Unitary Plan. The interior layout and configuration of the new community centre has not been designed yet, there will be consultation (including current user groups) once a building partner has been appointed to shape the inside of the centre. We are expecting the new community centre to have an internal floor space of approximately 550m2 (currently 263m2). There are also plans for the Ōrākei Local Board Office to be part of the centre (in addition to the 550m2).

Will there be a Licenced Early Childhood Education Centre built into the new community centre?

There is no plan to incorporate a Licenced Early Childhood Education Centre into this centre. The centre will be designed for people and groups of all ages to cater for a wide variety of activity.

Will there be carparking?

There will be separated parking for residents and community centre users, the exact numbers and configuration is yet to be finalised, but it will be guided by the Unitary Plan.

Will the Ōrākei Local Board Office be relocated in to the new community centre?

It is intended that the new community centre will incorporate space for the Ōrākei Local Board and council staff.

When the new centre be open?

These details are not yet known. Panuku is currently looking for a building partner to complete the redevelopment. Once a building partner has been approved a building time line, including estimated completion date, will be agreed.

When the new centre is open, who will manage it?

During the redevelopment process the Ōrākei Local Board will make decisions on the future operating model for the Meadowbank Community Centre. The Ōrākei Local Board has favoured a community led model for many of their local community centres, this approach is strategically aligned to council and local board outcomes, empowering communities to deliver. This model empowers a community organisation to be the centre’s operational decision-makers.

How can I be kept up to date regarding the redevelopments?

Information and developments will be updated to the Panuku website www.panuku.co.nz

Alternatively you can contact

Who can help me find a suitable space to continue to run my group/programme?

Relocation enquiries;

Susan Ropati Places Manager, Auckland Council

021 892 435

Funding enquiries;

Kev Carter Strategic Broker, Auckland Council

0211915312

Pick Meadowbank for 30km/h Zone Say Residents and Businesses

Posted: 29 October 2018

Source: Auckland TransportMeadowbank’s residents and businesses are asking for their centre to be picked to trial a slower speed zone, something that could be rolled out across Auckland.

While other parts of the city are just starting to debate whether they want a 30km/h zone, Meadowbank has been calling for it for months and has leapt on the possibility suggested by Auckland Transport. Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association Chair Barry Stewart says a raft of the area’s other transport projects are either already completed or underway, and a slow-speed zone fits perfectly with our goals of safety, liveability and community focus.

“Our local centre is only small but we all want to see it thrive and grow,” Mr Stewart says. “Slowing traffic between Meadowbank Rd and Gerard Way will make it safer and more attractive, with slower traffic also leading to a more pleasant shopping experience and consequently more business for local retailers. That’s why the local businesses, who are a fantastic bunch, have signed a joint letter backing us as residents in asking for this.”

“It’s great that Auckland Transport is looking at suburban traffic speed reductions as an option. While it looks like other parts of Auckland may be resistant as they try to work out the benefits, we’re already all for it – so give us a go! Even if it’s just a trial to see how it could work elsewhere, it would be a popular local initiative for Meadowbank.”

Mr Stewart says the Orakei Local Board has also lent its support. The move comes after a range of other projects have been successfully implemented following lobbying and/or leadership from the Residents Association, most recently the new 782 bus route that has created a bus connection with Meadowbank Train Station, serves a number of schools, and connects through to Mission Bay.

“We lobbied for this, despite some concerns about the loss of car parks to make way for a dedicated bus stop and short-term parking. And after only a few weeks, the number of daily users of the 782 service to the train station is greater than the number of car parks that were removed. It’s early days, but it also looks like train passenger numbers from the station are increasing,” Mr Stewart says.

Other recent successful improvements sought by the Residents Association include:

A signalised pedestrian crossing at the corner of Meadowbank Rd and St Johns Rd: this has made it much safer for pedestrians, including for walking school buses.
A safer, narrower entrance to Manapau Rd from Meadowbank Rd. This has helped to slow traffic and created a safer space for all the school students, commuters, joggers, cyclists and residents of the retirement village opposite.
Speed tables slowing traffic on Meadowbank Rd, enabling safer crossing.
Supporting the leadership of the Orakei Local Board and mobilising local support for a Gowing Drive connection to the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path – a major project that received council funding this year.
Further afield, supporting a new intersection at Grand Drive – Abbotts Way, and the upgrade of the notorious Ngapipi Rd-Tamaki Drive intersection, which is now finally safe for pedestrians and cyclists to cross and has even shown some positive traffic impacts.

Mr Stewart credits the Association’s success to its constant interaction with residents which generates ideas that add real value to the community. After the spate of good results, the Residents Association is now refreshing its hit list of transport and also environment projects that it wants to take forward.

For more information please contact Barry Stewart, Chair Meadowbank and St Johns Residents Association using the contact form.

Source: Auckland Transport

Civil works start on Housing NZ at site 9 – 11 Purewa Rd

Posted: 28 September 2018

Housing NZ have informed us that site works are commencing shortly on their vacant land at 9 – 11 Purewa Rd, opposite Meadowbank Train Station.

Civil works will commence on Monday 1 October 2018
Construction work is expected to commence in November 2018
Expected completion date is November 2019

Hours of work on site are Monday to Saturday 7:30am to 6:00pm. Contractors will park on the vacant Puroto St site. Click here to view the letter delivered to nearby residents on Friday 28 September 2018.

What sort of Waiatarua Reserve do you want?

Posted: 17 September 2018

The Ōrākei Local Board is preparing an enhancement plan for Waiatarua Reserve. What do you like about Waiatarua Reserve and what would you like to see done differently in the reserve? Click here to fill out the questionnaire to share your feedback and ideas on what should be included in the plan. There is information on the questionnaire about how to return it. Make sure you’ve emailed it by Friday 28 September.

We believe that the reserve is big enough to be more than just an off-leash area for dogs, and that there is room for a mown grassed dog-free area for picnics, ball games, families to run around and so on and will be lobbying for this.

The primary purpose of Waiatarua Reserve is as a stormwater management wetland. The secondary purpose is to provide recreational opportunities. The floodplain covers most of the reserve and is an important limiting factor in how much the reserve can change. The aim of the Waiatarua Reserve Enhancement Plan is to guide the management and future work programmes of the wetland, which will ensure that the reserve is well-managed and sustainably developed now and into the future.

Early consultation started in September to gather feedback and ideas about what should be included in the plan. The plan will be prepared over the following months. A draft plan will be available for full public consultation in the early part of 2019.

Dissatisfaction at changes to school busses

Posted: 31 August 2018

After implementing the New Bus Network, and Auckland Transport’s kind offer to present at our AGM, a group of parents ran a survey on changes to the #549 afternoon school bus. The results – from 60 respondents – are graphed below. Spoiler alert – they don’t love it. We are not only pleased to assist residents to use their voice, but very interested in one of the key priorities coming out of the survey. The top priority was to implement safe crossing opportunities across St Johns Road – possibly near Dorchester St. We’ve been making initial inquiries on this topic for a while now, and look forward to hear AT’s forthcoming response. More on this when we have it, but in the meantime send us any thoughts you might have or join in the Facebook conversation.