The DevonporT FlagsTaFF page 2
February 25, 2022
Millions evaporate due to Covid Covid cost Devonport more than $10 million in the 21 months to the end of 2021, the Devonport Business Association says. Association manager Katherine Downs said she had used figures from Marketview, a consumer-spending analyst, to compare the 21 months from April 2020 to December 2021 with the same period in 2018–2019. “Revenue in hospo and retail dropped by well over $10 million. Local spending remained fairly steady on average, but with dramatic peaks and troughs due to lockdowns. It was, of course, international and national visitor spending that dropped drastically.” The latest figures showed December had been a good month for businesses, as it usually was, Downs said. “With no further government support in sight for our hospo and retail businesses they are very concerned about the next few months, with staffing issues due to self-isolation likely to impact them as well.” Meanwhile, six in 10 people who drive to Devonport to shop go only to the supermarket and then leave again, association board member Ian Cunliffe told a community meeting,
hosted by the Devonport Community Trust. One of the big challenges was the lack of new developments going into the village, he said While Devonport wants to maintain the village’s older heritage, other areas like Takapuna had new apartment blocks going in, Cunliffe said. This sort of development would fuel the local economy because residents would spend money where they lived. “Devonport’s got a bigger challenge because of course we’re not going to get high-rise lots, hopefully, in our heritage-protected area.” Fullers and Auckland Council could be pressured to help facilitate more people taking the ferry across from the CBD, Cunliffe said. “A family of four might be paying $50 before they get here in ferry fares.” Downs confirmed efforts had been made to set up package deals between Fullers and local businesses. “With numbers being so low on the ferries, Fullers said it wasn’t viable to offer new products at this time, but would be happy to consider it in six months’ time.”
Briefs
Preschool closed Belmont Montessori Preschool was closed last week, with children identified as close contacts of a positive Covid case. Centre owners and teachers Renata McIlroy and Grace Frewin said the contact took place on 10 February, with their Covid plan quickly in action. No children tested positive and the school reopened on Monday. They praised the community for supporting isolating families with offers to drop supplies.
Family recovers Members of the Corbett family of Hauraki have returned to work and study after recovering from Omicron. The family of four shared their Covid story with the Flagstaff (11 February) after becoming early sufferers of the latest Covid variant. Since then, case numbers have grown rapidly. Mother Rachel Corbett said it was a relief to be cleared to return to “real life” after more than 20 days at home.
Greater intensification possible on Handley Ave site From page 1
Hot property… the Handley Ave site, cleared of pensioner housing
The key changes in the new legislation provide for development up to three storeys in height, and up to 50 per cent site coverage, Bowkett said. “In addition, the shareholders now have a range of larger projects on the go, which they would prefer to focus on.” Since purchasing the property, the Handley group had removed the old buildings and associated asbestos, so it now presented as a clean and clear development site, Bowkett said.
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