The Chair of the Waitemata Local Board, Richard Northey, has bluntly refused to consider postponing the vote on the proposed plan changes.
It has been very hard this year for the community to focus on issues involving public spaces because of the pressure Covid-19 has put on people, businesses, jobs and livelihoods. This pubic meeting would have shown the WLB the deep concerns shared by many ratepayers and prove that the consultation process, which might work for the Waitemata Local Board, but essentially is a ‘fake and flawed consultation process’ as the involvement by the public has been conditional.
The issues of significant controversy are: lowering the Western Springs lake; widening the paths; allowing bicycles on the same path as toddlers, prams and the elderly; demolishing the iconic double humped bridge; the plan to turn this peaceful, tranquil park into and event venue is not widely understood. For these reasons we have asked that the WLB seriously reconsider their intention to pass this plan.
As the local community and the diverse range of park users come to understand the plan, its cost and the environmental impact it will have, they will be motivated to take direct action and occupy the park to preserve its historic and ecological values. Consultation with only those who agree, is not open, transparent or accountable governance.
Under the Local Government Act, we formally request that you postpone this vote until wide spread, genuine public consultation on these profound changes to the Western Springs Park are resolved.
Lisa Prager, Community Advocate, Spokesperson, Westmere Heritage Protection Association, Occupy Garnet Road
STOP PRESS:
We have only just found out, via a board member’s written reply, that the actual intention by Auckland Council via The Waitemat-a Local Board is to turn the Western Springs Lake into ‘wet lands,’ instead of managing the existing weir to keep the spring water fresh in the lake. This additional major change has not been part of the public consultation process; proving our case that this is a fake and flawed public consultation and illegal.