The whole of the site civic space, aka Ponsonby Park, is the Waitemat-a Local Board’s (WLB) 'One Local Initiative' and received strong support from 60% of local residents, in their responses to the 10-year Plan.
Officers identified three options for the WLB to consider:
Option 1: Develop a 2000m2 civic space on the front portion of the site & dispose of 326m2 at the rear to offset the initial acquisition cost.
Option 2: Develop the whole site (2326m2) as civic space & dispose of an alternative site to offset the initial acquisition cost.
Option 3: Develop the whole site (2326m2) as civic space with no associated disposal.
Officers recommend Option 3 for the following reasons:
This civic space will meet the present needs of local residents and visitors. While the proposed size slightly exceeds the council’s provision policy, officers confirmed this is justified as:
1. The location, proposed design and amenity values align with all other aspects of the policy and respond directly to two Auckland Plan focus areas,
2. The civic space could support local events and be used in conjunction with regional events such as the annual Pride and Saint Patrick’s Day Parades,
3. Ponsonby is a destination for a number of Aucklanders so the civic space will service a wider catchment,
4. Due to the success of previous consultations there is a high community expectation that the whole site will be developed.
How?
The WLB has proposed the development of the civic space in two phases.
Phase 1 - $5.5M - Delivers the essential elements of the civic space, including landscaping, repurposing the existing structure, and toilet facilities (Long-term Plan funding).
Phase 2 - $5.5M - Repurpose existing building and improve streetscape (Partially funded through service optimization).
There is 'One Local Initiative' funding already available for phase one of the project. Waitemat-a is one of the fastest-growing areas in Auckland. The population has increased by 6.7% since 2006 with further population and employment growth having the potential to impact on the use and enjoyment of the open-space network. Ponsonby has been shown to be in need of a civic space. Civic spaces are not the same as parks. Despite the presence of other open space in the area, these do not provide a substitute for the amenity a civic space is intended to provide.
The assessment criteria used in the comparison of the three options:
• Strategic alignment - to the provision targets and network principles in the Open Space Provision Policy and the Auckland Plan focus areas.
• Amenity values and functionality - the range of recreational opportunities that can be provided, including for some regional events.
• Maximising place-making and supporting community empowerment - acknowledges the investment of the community and the quality of the process used to arrive at a preferred design.
• Value for money - includes financial returns in the form of the commercial rent generated since 2006 and sale proceeds.
Having applied these criteria, officers recommend Option 3. They noted this the easiest option to implement as the civic space could be developed in the short-term in line with community expectations. The other options would cause significant delays.
Impacts
Development of the civic space will enhance amenity and recreational opportunities in Ponsonby and the community has anticipated the achievement of this outcome since 2006. The community-led design process has resulted in a high sense of local ownership of the proposed civic space design, with the community’s aspirations aligning strongly with both the council’s public amenity values and the Auckland Plan.
Resolution
The WLB strongly supports Option 3 to the Environment and Community Committee, being the retention of the whole site located at 254 Ponsonby Road (2326m2), Ponsonby, currently held by Auckland Council in fee simple under the Local Government Act 2002, for the purpose of developing a civic space.
Next step
On 4 December the report goes to the ‘Environment and Community Committee’. Here the decision to retain or sell some of the land will be made.
We are delighted with the support and progress towards achieving the whole of the site civic space (aka Ponsonby Park). We now look forward to the support of the Environment and Community Committee to enable this much needed and desired community asset, for not only Ponsonby/Freemans Bay/St Marys Bay and Herne Bay but, as noted in the officers report, for the wider regional communities, too.
Once approved by the Environment and Community Committee, it goes 11 December to Finance & Performance meeting for funding allocation.
The whole of the site civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road
- BRING IT ON!
For additional information visit www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz or Facebook ‘Ponsonby Park’.