32 minute read
The Healthy Channel: John Appleton
I have been writing articles on topics related to our health for a number of years and in Channel I keep you up to date on ways in which we might improve our health by becoming more aware of the many options that are available to us.
John Appleton.
D-Ribose – Is it the sugar of life?
As I see it - by John Appleton
For many people this may have been the first time they have heard of D-Ribose.
I have however been using it daily for many years, primarily to limit the possibility of a cellular energy crisis during exercise and to assist with recovery afterwards.
So what is D-Ribose (chemical name – alphaD-ribofuranose)? It’s a simple 5-carbon sugar (glucose is a 6-carbon sugar) that is found in every cell in the human body. D-Ribose is a vital nutrient with a very significant role to play. Unlike sugars such as glucose which are metabolised to contribute to energy turnover, D-Ribose is not ‘burned’ for energy but is conserved by the cell for rebuilding the energy pool.
It’s the only compound used by the body to manage cellular energy restoration.
When we consume D-Ribose, the body recognises that it is different from other sugars and preserves it for the vital work of actually making the energy molecule ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) that powers our hearts, muscles, brains, and every other tissue in the body. ATP is the energy ‘currency’ of the cell and D-Ribose provides the key building block for ATP. Without sufficient D-Ribose the cell cannot make ATP.
D-Ribose is naturally present in foods but only in very small amounts. Red meat is at the top of the list but the amount is insignificant. Dr Stephen Sinatra in his book ‘Metabolic Cardiology’ says “The dietary intake of D-Ribose is insufficient to provide any nutritional support, especially to those people suffering heart disease, neuromuscular disease and those hoping to recover quickly after exercise." Although the first research on D-Ribose in humans goes back to 1958, D-Ribose was first developed as a dietary supplement in 1997 by Bioenergy Inc in the U.S. and since then many studies have investigated this amazing yet simple ‘sugar’. Much of the research has focused on the use of D-Ribose in association with heart disease and its use pre- and postexercise. Results have indeed been exciting and it really is hard to believe that D-Ribose hasn’t been headline news. When there is a totally safe option that shows remarkable benefits we need to know about it.
In 1973 that German researchers reported that energy-starved hearts could recover their energy levels if D-Ribose was given prior to or immediately following ischemia (reduced blood flow causing oxygen deprivation). In 1992 a study published in 'The Lancet' showed that administration of D-Ribose to patients with severe stable coronary artery disease increased exercise tolerance and delayed the onset of angina. In 2003 the University of Bonn in Germany published the results of a heart failure study which showed that administration of D-Ribose improved the performance of the heart, increased exercise tolerance and significantly improved quality of life.
As to who should consider supplementing with D-Ribose, it would be on my list for any condition where my cells might be energy starved e.g. heart disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and any form of exercise. D-Ribose comes as a powder which dissolves instantly in water and it makes a very pleasant drink. Research shows that D-Ribose is very rapidly absorbed and approx 97% ‘gets through’. I take five grams daily (as a ‘sports’ drink). Even at high doses it’s a very safe supplement but because it can lower blood glucose levels, diabetics should talk with their doctor first.
Cardiologists Drs Stephen Sinatra and James Roberts sum it up by saying, “We can’t overstate the effect of D-Ribose supplementation on maintaining energy levels. Any tissue that relies heavily on aerobic energy metabolism, such as the heart and muscles, will be severely affected by any amount of oxygen deprivation. The problem is ATP drain. The solution is to give it back”
Is D-Ribose the Sugar of Life? As I see it D-Ribose more than qualifies for this title.
John Appleton john@johnappleton.co.nz 09 489 9362 www.johnappleton.co.nz
Simon Gundry is a Devonport and North Shore identity, and character who is known for calling a spade a spade. This is his regular and lively contribution to Channel Magazine.
I so enjoyed the 36th America’s Cup, but...
Simon Gundry.
I so enjoyed the 36th America’s Cup. At times I was on the water, or watching from the glorious grandstand of North Head, and at other times watching on my 14-inch black and white television set. (I would have thought after all these free articles I’ve written over the last ten or so years for the Henry Luce of the North Shore that he might have splashed out and bought me a new television by now.)
Television pictures that were shown throughout the world showed New Zealand at party time, beautiful looking boats, families barbecuing and having the odd beer, jumping into the waters of the Hauraki Gulf, fishing, everything that makes New Zealand the envy of the world.
One thing I didn’t enjoy about the America’s Cup was one hour on TV1 prior to race days, when TV1 rolled out some incredibly bad so-called comedians and so-called influencers to roam the Viaduct trying to be funny. The yachtsmen they gathered on the couch were fantastic: Chris Steele, Jan Shearer and then Dean Barker, the iconic New Zealand yachtsman.
Unfortunately the North Head stadium didn’t really live up to expectations. The Covid levels didn’t allow people to gather up there; therefore the racing wasn’t on Course C which so many people were hopeful for because of the viewing situation. But that didn’t stop Auckland Transport blocking off roads, and having security guards at the base of North Head when the racing was 10 miles away at the eastern beaches.
So where to now for the America’s Cup? Who knows? All I know is that Grant Dalton, love him or not, has done such a magnificent job winning the Cup in Bermuda and defending it here in Auckland. I thank him from the bottom of my heart for what he has done for New Zealand yachting. I believe no one else could have done it apart from him; he liaised with central government, local government, local iwi and big business to have the event run here.
My only regret is not seeing the armada of super-yachts that were scheduled to be here; the fleet of the magnificent 100-yearold J Class yachts and the thousands of overseas visitors who would have loved to have been here, including a swag of my friends from the USA.
What did I say a few articles ago about the Skypath under the Harbour Bridge? I told you months ago it was a dead duck, and it was never going to happen because of the engineering feasibility. I feel sorry for all the people at Northcote Point whose lives have been disrupted over the years with compulsory land acquisition notices, feasibility studies and just the general worry of what is going to happen in their area.
My men at the coal face tell me that either the Government or Transit NZ have spent quite a few million dollars to buy four properties to enable this so called Skypath to go ahead. I have also been told by another man at the coal face that the intellectual property was bought off a designer for $1m in regards to the engineering of the Skypath. Isn’t it time people became accountable for their actions in this sort of situation?
While sitting on Lake Road for an hour this morning trying to get out to my yard, I worked out a simple solution to decongest Lake Road, and it's real simple: We build a causeway from the end of Bayswater Avenue to the area where the old toll plaza used to be, with an onramp to the Harbour Bridge and an offramp coming north sweeping over the southern lanes joining the causeway, thus delivering vehicles onto Bayswater Avenue, which is a good wide road, and delivering vehicles down into the Devonport area. If anyone has ever been to Coronado Island in San Diego and had a look at the bridge sweeping from the city to the island that was built in 1978, that’s a beautiful bridge and there’s no reason why we couldn’t build something like this. If we had this causeway, there could be a lock holding the tide halfway over, to enable sailing, rowing and other water activities during the weekends. This would solve the problem, instead of the almost impossible task of widening Lake Road.
Although I suppose we could get Auckland Transport to look at this, engage a team of experts, acquire a few properties in Bayswater for millions of dollars, write thousands of pages in reports, spend a poultice of money, have public forums, all with ever-increasing budgets, and then just never go ahead with it.
We have been sadly and badly let down with our so-called city fathers over the years. The last person with any vision for this city was Sir Dove Myer Robinson; since then we have gathered nothing but clowns within our councils, and our beautiful city has suffered for it.
Accelerating success.
For Lease - Office
2-4 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna Naming Rights Available
Various options available from 310 sqm to a larger floor plate of 900 sqm.
Opportunities for modern office space wth generous carparks are rare in Takapuna.
This iconic building is in an excellent location, close to CBD, with a cafe on site and minutes to Takapuna beach. Separate car park building providing generous car parking. Customise your fit out and layout, excellent resources to hand.
Contact Janet Marshall 021 684 775 for more information.
colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67002574
Accelerating success.
310, 500 & 900 sqm Great Location
Minutes to CBD Competitive Rental Generous Car Parking
Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com
Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008
For Lease - Office
55 Corinthian Drive, Albany North Shore 5 Star (Design) Green Building
Highly visible to the surrounding road network, the development harnesses the site’s visual prominence, meeting the client and tenants’ expectations while positively enhacing the built quality of Orchard Park within the Albany Gateway. 55 Corinthian Drive is a four-level office building comprising a mixture of office, food and beverage, and retail space. Included in the complex is a five-level car parking building with a circular access ramp located on the eastern end of the building.
Sustainable strategies include maximisation of natural light and external views, passive ventilation, sustainably certified materials and construction methods, electric vehicle charging stations, end-of-trip facilities, rainwater harvesting, a dedicated refuse room, and .lighting and plumbing fixtures that offer efficient use of water and electricity consumption. Two levels of 1650 sqm and 1:25 car parking ratio offer businesses the flexibility they are look for in this post-Covid world.
Please call Janet Marshall on 021 684 775 for your exclusive site visit.
colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67002672
Great Location
2 Levels 1650 sqm per floor Generous Car Parking Competitive Rental
Janet Marshall 021 684 775 janet.marshall@colliers.com
Colliers NZ Limited Licensed REAA 2008
Church for sale answers the prayers of residential property developers
The land and building housing a deconsecrated church surrounded by multiple sporting and recreational amenities in one of the North Shore’s prime coastal residential suburbs have been placed on the market for sale.
St Luke’s Catholic church on corner of Bayswater Avenue and Rosyth Avenue in Bayswater was built in the 1960s as the area’s population was expanding at a rapid rate.
At that time, St Luke’s was the mid-way church for parishioners who had previously travelled to either Devonport or Takapuna to attend religious ceremonies under the Catholic faith.
However, with the North Shore’s population and infrastructure expanding immensely over the ensuing years, and churchgoers finding it easier to travel a few kilometres further than they did half a decade ago, St Luke’s attendance numbers fell to a level where the diocese deemed the place of worship surplus to requirements.
The 310 square metre church building on some 3,142 square metres of freehold land zoned Residential – Mixed Housing Urban under the Auckland Council plan, has remained dormant for several years since closing. As the physical former place of worship premises is relatively ‘new’ by church standards, the building has no heritage or cultural values linked to its council records.
The rectangular-shaped property at 1D Rosyth Avenue is now being marketed for sale by tender through Barfoot & Thompson North Shore, with tenders closing on April 28. Barfoot & Thompson North Shore’s Simon Farland, Bruce Jiao, and Lance Richardson are the team marketing the property. They advise that the church property’s location in the middle of a residential suburb meant it was prime for redevelopment into medium density housing.
The dual street frontage aspect for 1D Rosyth Avenue also allows for two vehicle access points to the location. The flat contour of the corner property equates to lower site development costs – which would be further enhanced by immediate access to all utility services such as electricity, gas, telecommunications, and water services.
The location is superb. St Luke's Catholic Church, Bayswater.
Simon Farland said the Rosyth Road property was superbly located to enjoy an abundance of sporting and recreational amenities on its doorstep – including the Belmont Racquets tennis courts on one boundary, the expanse of Bayswater Park playing fields directly over the road, a lawn bowls club around the corner, and the Devonport/ Takapuna cycle and walking trail some 150 metres away.
“While the actual church building appears to be in good condition, feedback from the market so far is that it is unlikely to have any perceived long-term value for most future owners. The site would undoubtedly be perceived as a development opportunity for more intensive residential use,” said Simon Farland.
“The physical positioning of the church on just one corner of the land also means that demolition costs would be minimal, and removal of the premises could be done expediently to minimise any disturbance to the neighbourhood.
“However, it would be a heartening and community-spirited gesture to think any redevelopment of the site would pay credence in some way to the former St Luke’s church, acknowledging its presence even after the actual building may be removed.”
Farland added that with no residential neighbours adjoining the site and some 150 metres of direct street frontage on two sides, height-toboundary development regulations at 1D Rosyth Avenue would make it relatively easy for an architect to configure the most cost-effective density of dwelling sizes and positions for the land.
“The dual street frontage aspect for 1D Rosyth Avenue also allows for two vehicle access points to the location. The flat contour of the corner property equates to lower site development costs – which would be further enhanced by immediate access to all utility services such as electricity, gas, telecommunications, and water services.”
“While there are examples of in-fill housing development projects taking place on the Bayswater periphery – such as at several addresses in nearby Belmont’s Williamson Avenue – there has certainly been nothing of this substantial scale come onto the market in Bayswater for decades.”
Auckland Council’s Residential – Mixed Housing Urban zone allows for “a greater intensity of development than previously provided for.” Detached stand-alone and terraced units within the land classification can be built up to three storeys (or 12 metres high) with design concepts aimed at enhancing the residential urban aesthetics of the exiting neighbourhood feel.
The council’s development guidelines also pay credence to the importance of such new residential enclaves being surrounded by open spaces.
“This Bayswater site certainly meets those criteria – overlooking the fields and children’s playground at Bayswater. And with the 12 metre height allowance, residences would also have excellent views of both Shoal Bay and Ngataringa Bay depending on their aspects – with no immediate neighbouring residential property rooftops to look over,” said Bruce Jiao Jiao.
“The appeal of any new housing development on the Bayswater Avenue and Rosyth Avenue would be underpinned by access to numerous public transport options – with a bus route running directly outside the address, and the Bayswater ferry terminal just a short walk away at the end of the road.”
“The precedent for tasteful medium-density urban housing development projects can be seen most obviously in the likes of the planned communities at Hobsonville Point or Stonefields,” added Lance Richardson. “Or in the scores of smaller residential intensification projects which have been undertaken across Auckland under the auspices of the Auckland Unitary Plan and its call for better use of land within the existing metropolitan urban boundaries.”
Bayswater was named in the late 1800s after the London suburb of the same name. The name also coincided the suburb’s seaside geographic location directly across from Auckland’s CBD.
For further information contact the Barfoot & Thompson North Shore team:- Simon Farland 021 779 922, s.farland@barfoot.co.nz, Bruce Jiao 021 818 077, b.jiao@barfoot.co.nz or Lance Richardson 021 796 660, l.richardson@barfoot.co.nz. Visit: www.barfoot.co.nz
Masonry Mansion - Present All Offers
Sitting proudly on the ridge at one of the Shore’s prestigious addresses, this stunning private sanctuary of 853 square metres of living is now for sale
If you are looking for a sizeable North Shore property that will stand the test of time, you’ve found it. Peter Jones from Harcourts Cooper & Co. Birkenhead is marketing this outstanding property at 105 Onetaunga Road in Chatswood, a 1100 square metre freehold site that includes a substantial solid masonry dream home.
The Onetaunga Road property was built as a family dream home to an exemplary standard with traditional materials such as concrete masonry and terra-cotta tile that will stand the test of time. It was designed to accommodate a discerning modern family, but due to it’s scale could also accommodate two or three families with ease as there is a fully self-contained flat, called the pool-house – perfect for guest, parents or an au pair.
From the walled perimeter to the impeccable landscaping, this home is a haven to be enjoyed.
Discerning buyers looking for a substantial home will love the multiple living and lounge areas, together with the sun filled conservatory and designer kitchen positioned in the central hub. The home is designed to cater for any occasion. Socialising is certainly easy in this home, whether it's billiards in the entertaining room or enjoying a glass of wine from the cellar with friends around a fully equipped bar.
The triple car garaging will be very attractive for buyers with vehicles, boats, camper vans, jet-ski’s or any other lifestyle toys that need to be accommodated. Discerning buyers looking for a substantial home will love the multiple living and lounge areas, together with the sun filled conservatory and designer kitchen positioned in the central hub.
At the end of a busy day the new owners of this property will also be able to relax and unwind in the heated pool or spa. This is the perfect playground paradise.
If you are carefully looking for a high-quality home with everything you can dream of, then this is the end of your search. There is so much to mention and the pictures will paint a thousand words, but the only way to fully appreciate what is on offer here is to phone Peter Jones at Harcourts Cooper & Co. today for an appointment to view.
Contact: Peter Jones, Harcourts Cooper & Co., Phone 021 233 0055 or visit: www.harcourts.co.nz/Property/931778
PROPERTY AT A GLANCE…
• 105 Onetaunga Road, Chatswood • FOR SALE - Present all offers • 1100 square metre freehold site • 853 square metre home • Fully fenced, flat site, North-West facing • Urban, city and bush views • 5 bedrooms • 5 bathrooms • 6 toilets • 4 living areas • 3 dining areas • Conservatory/sunroom, family room, office/ study, pool/billiard room, rumpus • Entertainment area, heated concrete pool, spa. • 5 car lock up garaging • Close to schools, shops and transport. P E T E R
J O N E S
PLUMBING
Plumbing, Drainlaying & Gasfitting
0800 369 832
BUILDING AND RENOVATION
Bespoke Architecturally Designed Homes
www.qpcbuilders.co.nz 0800 772 266
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
Part of the Shore community Part of the Shore community Part of the Shore community for over 40 years for over 40 years for over 40 years
ALL COMPONENTRY IN CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION:-
Foundations Blockwork Retaining Walls Excavations Pre-Stressed Floors
Community care comes first as Hospice construction begins
We’re beyond excited to announce that construction has begun on our North Shore hospice facility in Takapuna.
What this means is that palliative care services will temporarily be delivered differently. However, the same high level of compassionate care and support will be provided.
For 12 weeks, from 29th March, Harbour Hospice North Shore at 7 Shea Terrace, Takapuna, will temporarily close as phase one of its vital redevelopment project begins onsite.
During this time, specialist services and support for patients and families will continue to be delivered through increased care in the community and additional beds at its Inpatient Unit at Hibiscus House, located at 2a John Dee Cres, Red Beach.
Harbour Hospice Chief Executive Jan Nichols acknowledges that these temporary changes may be unsettling for some, but says she has full confidence in her team who are “committed and ready” for this different way of delivering care.
“At every stage of the project, continuity of care and putting patients and families first is our priority. Thanks to the passion, commitment and flexibility of our exceptionally skilled staff, we’re able to seamlessly deliver the same level of care and comfort we’re known for – just in a slightly different way,” Nichols says.
Resources have increased to enable Harbour Hospice nurses, doctors and family support workers to see more people at home, and provide more intensive care at home, as well as give continued care through phone calls and telehealth.
Patients who need acute symptom management or end-of-life care have access to additional beds at Hibiscus House. “We expect demand to be high at this time, so if our beds are at capacity, we’ll discuss other care options with the patient and their family,” Nichols explains.
This milestone moment comes as fundraising efforts for the $20 million redevelopment project hit the halfway mark, but Nichols says they are far from over.
“Yes, building work is underway, but we still need community support to enable us to complete this massive task.”
To date, generous individuals, trusts and foundations have gifted more than $5 million towards the project and the Harbour Hospice North Shore Development Foundation has contributed $10 million. But another $5 million still needs to be raised to complete construction.
Nichols says that without this project, “we simply won’t be able to meet current and future demand.” “Demand for palliative care across the Harbour Hospice region is expected to grow by 50% in the next 14 years, and 90% in the next 40 years,” she explains. “Because of this unprecedented growth, and an urgent need to upgrade facilities, redevelopment of the North Shore hospice is vital.”
She adds that the community’s early support of this project has been “deeply humbling and encouraging.”
The refurbishment is expected to be completed by early 2023.
For the latest news, project updates and details on how you can get involved, visit www.harbourhospice.org.nz/future-hospice .
From the Chair
Aidan Bennett.
Anzac Day in Takapuna, 2021
I am looking forward to playing a key role as MC for the ANZAC Day Commemoration Service on Sunday April 25th in Takapuna for 2021. Starting at 9.30am.
There will be the parade marching along Lake Road from Sanders Avenue at 9.25am, led by the North Shore Brass Band. The parade will arrive in The Strand Plaza, The Strand, Takapuna.
The service will include:- Welcome; National Anthem; Scripture Reading; ANZAC Poem; Tribute to Fallen Soldiers; Prayer; Key Speaker Address; Hymn; Dedication; Last Post and Lowering of the Flag; Ode; Reveille and Raising of the Flags; Laying of Wreath.
I wish to acknowledge Milford Rotary and Milford Business Association Milford Rotary hard at work in for their ongoing work Milford during March. with the beautification of Milford Village. Keeping the village looking great with the painting of seating, planting and improving gardens etc. Most recently the garden on the corner of Fenwick Avenue and Kitchener Road.
This is all great work that has been done under the leadership of business association manager Murray Hill. Well done Milford!
Budget in ATAP for Lake Road and Esmonde Road
I was thrilled to see $52 million worth of funding for Lake Road and Esmonde Road Improvements confirmed with the ATAP announcement by Transport Minister Michael Wood and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.
ATAP (Auckland Transport Alignment Project 2021-2031) is an agreement between Government and Auckland Council on transport priorities providing certainty and momentum in delivery. This brings together central government and Auckland Council to strategically align transport objectives and investment priorities for Auckland.
The ATAP 2021-31 programme invests around $31.4 billion into critical transport infrastructure and services across Auckland.
There are certainly many opinions on what should and shouldn’t be done on Lake Road. Too many for a consensus to ever be achieved. I take a pragmatic approach to Lake Road. I have done a lot of work over the past year-or-so, meeting with/talking to key people involved and have formed an opinion that we should take the money and just get it done.
For the foreseeable future the criteria for funding will be based around well planned Auckland Transport and Council criteria as well as central government criteria. The current plan fits all that criteria.
If we want to improve Lake Road any time soon we need to work constructively with all these entities I have mentioned and just get it done.
I do believe it will improve things if you look at it holistically.
Old WW2 Barracks Building – 139 Beach Road, Castor Bay
I realise that my position on 139 Beach Road will not be welcomed by some. I don’t believe any ratepayer money should be spent on restoring this building.
This is an old World War Two ‘incognito barrack building’ at 139 Beach Road which is classed as a Heritage Asset. But it is far from being
In PPE gear with fellow local board members having a look at the old building at 139 Beach Road, near Kennedy Park, Castor Bay.
an asset to the community. It has become a liability. It is virtually falling down and is becoming a health and safety problem. It is sitting and slowly rotting away.
My understanding is the property was bought by Auckland Council back in 2013/2014 from Housing New Zealand. I am not sure this was a wise decision. I am told that council officer’s advice at the time was that the purchase was not a good idea.
The original intention I believe was that the building would be restored as a community project, a joint venture between the trust and a tertiary institute, but that never eventuated. The default position appears to be that those keen on restoration are looking for Auckland Council and the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (i.e. the ratepayer) to pay for the restoration.
On February 19th local board members visited the building and due to the state of it we were required to dress in PPE gear (masks and disposable overalls). See accompanying photo.
We discovered the condition of the building is very poor. It is clear that it was not built from materials to last. There is significant rot, worm infestation, asbestos, poor services and poor stability in the structure. It is very unsafe.
Estimates to restore the building – which is really rebuilding the whole structure to the required heritage standards/levels – are between $1.5m to $2m.
My belief is this is very poor use of ratepayers money, especially at a time when finances are challenged by Covid19 related problems. The council just doesn’t have this money to waste. It is very important at this time that we spend ratepayers money prudently. If the local board (on behalf of Auckland Council) were to choose to fund this at this time, many other much needed projects would not be funded and therefore not delivered. $2 million can actually go a long way.
I will no doubt be accused of not valuing our heritage. That is not the case. If it stacked up then I would support the restoration. I believe this is a pragmatic decision that needs to be made when you look at all the facts.
Let the money be found from the heritage sector if restoration is essential. I just don’t believe the ratepayer should be footing the bill at this time.
Pushing for local suppliers and more efficiency
As the chair of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for the first 18 months of the current term, I attend the Chairs Forum – made up of all the chairs of the 21 Auckland Council local boards. This is a forum where we collaborate and work closely with Auckland Council.
Recently I have been advocating at these forums for Auckland Council to use more local suppliers and become more efficient with the renewal and construction of assets.
There will be many benefits in using local suppliers for this work. They are part of the community and know their own patch. It also
provides local economic development and employment opportunities and can support COVID-19 economic recovery across local board areas – not just buy local, but also use local. Gives a sense of pride and belonging in the community. The result will also be shorter travel distances, which may reduce traffic congestion and emissions. We need to make it easier for local suppliers to participate in general – less red tape!
Council also appears to pay a premium towards building new and renewing existing assets. We don’t seem to use our size and scale as leverage to challenge the building costs, with the aim of being more cost-effective. This is an area I am advocating to see improved as well. Using more local suppliers will help this as well.
I presented this to the governing body (the mayor and councillors) this month and received a good reception. It is something I will continue to push.
Second Harbour Crossing
I am joining with local North Shore MP Simon Watts in calling for motor vehicles to be included in the second harbour crossing that the government is planning.
The accident that caused lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to be closed for a period during 2020 only Aidan Bennett and Simon Watts, MP for highlighted how important it is to North Shore. have a contingency should something happen to the bridge in the future. The city came to a standstill.
I am a fan of rail coming to the North Shore, but the next Harbour Crossing must also include a provision for motor vehicles. If this second harbour crossing is a tunnel then maybe this can be a combination of rail and road freight (trucks etc. taking heavy traffic off the bridge) with the option of redirecting lighter vehicles through the tunnel if lanes on the Harbour Bridge are compromised?
Auckland can’t afford to come to a standstill again and waiting to build a further crossing for motor vehicles beyond 2040 is just too far away. I say the risk is too great.
Bayswater Marina Development
A resource consent has been lodged by Bayswater Marina Holdings Limited for the development of the Marina. While it is obviously still subject to the approval process I believe this is something we should embrace to see another great asset created for our community.
The proposal includes apartments, terraced housing, commercial spaces along with landscaping, improved coastline access, open spaces and parking. All creating a maritime precinct.
Their stated aim is for Bayswater Maritime Precinct to be a contemporary, world class, mixed-use community that Aucklanders will be proud of, want to live in, or want to visit.
The application proposes 94 terraced dwellings and 27 apartments in three buildings.
The proposal provides for public access around the site. All new streets will be accessible to the public, with the aim of providing reduced speeds, traffic calming measures, and shared pedestrian/vehicle spaces. The proposal also aims to enhance public access to and enjoyment of the coastline. A pedestrian path and boardwalk up to 3.5m will be constructed around the outside of the site, replacing the current, narrow 1m wide concrete path. This path incorporates coastal planting, seating and spaces for gathering along the coastal edge. The path is adjoined by either new public open spaces or wide shared spaces, resulting in a wide esplanade/promenade running the length of the coastal edge of the Marina reclamation. The path will be positioned partially over the existing rock riprap wall, bringing pedestrians closer to the water and creating new opportunities to connect with the water and the marina. The existing 1.1 km long floating breakwater protecting the berthage areas provides additional public access to the coastline and also an alternative recreational walk for those visiting or living at the Precinct.
I am a fan of quality developments that have the potential to improve lifestyles in our community. I believe this is one of those. My challenge to the Bayswater community is to embrace what Bayswater Marina Holdings Limited are seeking to do on their site. It will be fantastic!
Takapuna Boating Club Bayswater
Another issue I would love to see solved is the future of the lovely old Takapuna Boating Club Clubhouse building at Bayswater. My mail is the only realistic way forward is for the building to be sold or a long term lease provided to an entity that would restore the building – on the basis that parts of the building are allocated for public use. This would be a win win for everyone. Apparently there has been local (Bayswater) community resistance to this in the past, believing that there is some sort of public ownership. There isn’t.
The freehold title to the land the Takapuna Boating Club Clubhouse sits on was purchased by the Club in 1926. Club members then purchased a disused tannery building from the shores of the Tamaki river, barged it to Bayswater, and used their own labour and funds, turning it into the existing three story facility. With the waters around Bayswater being shallow mudflat and tidal, and increasingly silting up, Club operations shifted to Takapuna Beach through the 1960’s, However the building was continually used by the Club up until a few years ago.
The old swimming pool directly in front of the Club was apparently owned by the Council although it hasn’t been used for decades. Access to that pool was always over the land owned by the Club, which also housed nearby public toilets and changing rooms.
The costs of renovation – I am told upwards of $3 million at last estimate – are clearly well beyond the capability of the Takapuna Boating Club. The building needs to be painted, windows and boards replaced, veranda’s rebuilt, and there are new building codes to comply with, seismic etc.
A complicating factor is the title for the property was set up by an act of parliament. The Takapuna Boating Club Clubhouse building, Bayswater. Act, when passed 100 years ago, took into account the comings and goings of many boat clubs around the harbour, some lasted just a few years. This Act apparently needs to be changed.
I see the way forward here as follows:- Repeal the Act that the title was set up under – with help from local MP Simon Watts; for the Bayswater and wider community to accept that this is a good way forward to get this lovely building back to its glorious best; for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Council to work to see this good result come to fruition. There is no local board or council funding available for purchase or restoration.
In summary, this is a great asset to the North Shore, and needs to be looked after. The Takapuna Boating Club has done their very best as stewards to look after this property, and would clearly appreciate community cooperation to ensure this wonderful piece of our local history can be preserved.
I say let’s do this so this lovely old landmark can be restored. Time is ticking. Please note: Views expressed here on these important issues are my personal opinions.
