The Devonport Flagstaff Page 2
October 21, 2022
Domain stalemate high on new board’s agenda Sorting out the stalemate over use of Devonport Domain land is in the sights of the leader of A Fresh Approach, the group that will hold sway on the new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. “That has to happen pretty promptly,” said Toni van Tonder (pictured), when asked if the Devonport Museum’s lease of a storage shed on part of the old bowling club site would be reviewed. “The rugby and cricket clubs have had a partial lease for a year already and have been unable to progress their plans because of this situation. This whole process has not been good and we need to resolve it with urgency,” van Tonder said. The North Shore clubs want to renovate and set up women’s changing rooms in the former bowling clubrooms on council land. They then intend a staged development of the rest of the site for sports and gym facilities. The clubs maintain design, access and ultimately their funding options are constrained by what was a surprise decision to them by the former board’s Heart of the Shore members, who by then chair Ruth Jackson’s casting vote
extended the museum’s temporary lease on a shed to the rear of the site. Council officers had advised that community sports facilities were well suited for the site. At a meeting last year, from which the clubs expected a sign-off on a lease, the museum submitted a letter from a Queen’s Counsel contending storage was permitted on reserve land. Heart of the Shore members said both
Developers given time to revise reclamation-land plans From page 1 Its lawyers said these would also include: revising the street layout; creating a larger manoeuvring area around the boat ramp; incorporating car and boat trailer queuing on Sir Peter Blake Pde; and adjusting the width and angles of car and boat-trailer parking. BMHL confirmed at the hearing that it is in discussion with Auckland Transport (AT) on the interface between the development and AT-managed land at Bayswater. The adjournment would also “assist by providing time to conclude those discus-
sions and incorporate any design-revision outcomes in BMHL’s final plans,” BMHL lawyer Kit Littlejohn said in a memo to commissioners. The commissioners accepted the adjournment and agreed to BMHL’s wish to engage with council experts who wrote reports on the proposal. “In addition to this, we encourage the applicant to meet with the Bayswater Community Committee and the Bayswater Marina Berth-holders Association to inform those groups of the changes being proposed,” commissioners chair Greg Hill said.
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groups, which did good work in the area, should be able to be accommodated. Prior to the local-body election, the sports clubs again voiced their frustration about the decision. The issue is believed to be one of those that created a mood for change. All three Heart of the Shore members failed in their bids to be re-elected. As the only experienced local-board member on A Fresh Approach, van Tonder is expected to chair the new board, which will be sworn in from mid-November. The ticket won four of six seats, though the poll was topped by veteran politician George Wood, standing under the Communities and Residents banner, which also brought in Gavin Busch. The Flagstaff also asked van Tonder if board workshops will remain open to the media. She said she could not comment until the question was discussed by the local board and staff advice considered. “I’ve experienced both open and closed workshops and I see both the benefits and the limitations. You’ll have to wait and see what the outcome is of those discussions,” she said. Election outcome, pages 18-19
Up to 70 homes planned for Bayswater cul de sac A mix of terrace housing and apartments is being planned for iwi-owned land in Portsmouth St, Bayswater. Around 60 to 70 dwellings will be built on the cul de sac off Roberts Ave. The general manager of property for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Neil Donnelly, told the Flagstaff it was “working up plans” for the land, meaning it would likely be a couple of years before construction was finished. The 1ha site was handed back by the Navy as part of a Treaty settlement. The site has since been cleared of housing. Quality housing was planned, an iwi spokesperson said. It would not be a Kainga Ora or similar development, but rather a build-to-rent complex, similar to the type of housing at the Oneoneroa subdivision off Eversleigh Rd, Belmont. “It’s not state housing.” • Updates on Kainga Ora and Belmont housing, page 26, 27
