As you may have read in last month’s Ponsonby News, the council has committed to progressing stage one of the development of a park at 245 Ponsonby Road with work expected to start in July.
This is exciting news for all of those involved – particularly the (volunteer) community-led design group. It’s hard to believe it has been just over two years since we approved the concept for this park and the local board is delighted to see all the hard work will soon pay off. Ponsonby Park is going to be a fantastic addition to the area, providing an urban oasis in central Auckland.
This would be followed from 2024 by the restoration of the Leys Institute buildings according to a design that is being developed by a community-based project advisory group which has held several meetings for that purpose.
Council, like many businesses, was impacted by the Omicron outbreak with temporary changes to many of our services due to temporary Covid-19 related staff shortages. But that hasn’t meant the work has stopped with dozens of local projects getting underway. The pavilion, paths and parking area at Victoria Park have improved the experience for players and other park users.
Among these is a stormwater naturalisation project at Bayfield Park in Herne Bay, on the northern edge of Cox’s Creek to the northeast of Cox’s Bay Reserve. Started in March, the work involves daylighting a currently piped stream running through Bayfield Park. New plants and native trees and a new timber boardwalk will improve the existing pedestrian pathway, enhancing the amenity of the reserve and improve links to Cox’s Bay Reserve.
Works are underway to renew the pathways at Point Erin Park. The scope includes renewal of the fence on the western boundary and asphalt pathways with timber edging and was due to be completed late April.
We have been consulting on options for the development of the play equipment there and for a loop track to be provided in the Western Springs Forest Park. Decisions will be made on these and other possible projects for next year’s board programme in the next few months, taking into account the feedback that you have provided.
Over the past few years, central government, and the National and Labour parties in Parliament, has taken a much stronger role in setting requirements for the growth of New Zealand’s largest cities. The government’s changes will require higher-density housing, such as apartments and townhouses, across our city particularly in areas close to public transport and urban centres with shops, jobs and community services, including our inner suburbs.
Auckland Council is currently seeking feedback on several proposed changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan based on these new rules. Go to akhaveyoursay.co.nz to find out more and to have your say. Feedback closes Monday 9 May 2022.
We have a round of grant applications currently open for community groups and projects. These applications, for up to $3000, can be made to the Waitematā Local Board, and are closing on 13 May. These grants are focussed on arts, environment, heritage, sport and recreation and events. More information can be found, and applications made, at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants.
We are delighted that an international team coming for next year’s Women’s Football World Cup will be based and hold their training sessions at the Western Springs Association Football Club, Auckland’s biggest club. The local board has made a grant to the club specifically to enhance the facilities and experience for women and girls, which will be of
lasting benefit.
Following the resignation of board member Adriana Avendaño Christie to take up an important role with parks and community facilities for council, the Waitematā Local Board has appointed the next highest polling unsuccessful candidate from the last election, Genevieve Sage. We welcome her to the board and look forward to her contribution to the issues facing the Waitematā Local Board area.
(Richard Northey, Chair, Waitematā Local Board)
www.facebook.com/richard.northey
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