Village down $10m due to Covid

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 fgures 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 fgures 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 staffng 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 confrmed 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.”

Preschool closed

Belmont Montessori Preschool was closed last week, with children identifed 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 ofers 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 Flagstaf (11 February) after becoming early suferers 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 intensifcation possible on Handley Ave site

Hot property… the Handley Ave site, cleared of pensioner housing

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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.

Simon Watts

MP for North Shore

National Party Spokesperson for Local Government and Associate Finance & Associate Infrastructure Your local MP, supporting you and our community

1 Earnoch Avenue, Takapuna northshore@parliament.govt.nz 09 486 0005

Hatrick! North Shore win T20 title for third year

Champagne cricketers… North Shore premier reserves are Auckland T20 winners: From left to right: Ben Wall, Carlo Robb, Matt Strain, Christian Scott, Rory Bessell, Hayden McKay, Jordan Gatley Kneeling: Sam Hinds, Joe Moore, Will Clarke (captain), Max Clarke, Angus Nicoll

North Shore Cricket Club premier reserves put on a top bowling and felding display in beating Parnell at a Devonport Domain on Sunday to take out the Auckland T20 title for the third successive year.

The reserves T20 competition is now three years old with North Shore undefeated, having beaten Cornwall and Eden Roskill in preceding fnals. This season, North Shore beat East Coast Bays, Hibiscus Coast and Takapuna in pool play, then Suburbs New Lynn in the semi-fnals. Matt Strain, Angus Nicoll and Will Clarke have been in all three winning sides. In the fnal against Parnell, Shore batted frst and scored 94/10 off 19 overs – a comparatively modest score. The highest batting partnership was 27 which was scored between the teams oldest player Ben Wall (32) and the team’s youngest player 16-year-old Christian Scott who topscored with 21. The bowlers ended with fgures to die for: Matt Strain took three wickets for seven runs including one maiden in his 3.5 over stint; Angus Nicholl took three for eight; and Hayden McKay two for six. Captain Will Clarke said although the side posted a modest score it dug in to continue the legacy of the last two seasons. “There’s a lot of fght in the team” many of whom were “frst timers” in a T20 fnal, which showed the depth of talent coming through the club, Clarke said

Brain Drain May Hurt

It seems that for the frst time in many years we are seeing more people leave NZ than arrive as the mid-20-year-olds pent up for two years are keen to head offshore for work or OEs – particularly now as the world opens up and NZ remains relatively closed compared to other countries. It’s also apparent that NZ is a low-wage economy compared to other OECD countries who are all seeking skilled labour just as we are, but we have lower wages and more diffcult entry requirements. This brain drain is likely to have a dampening impact on the property market, along with other headwinds of increased supply, higher interest rates, higher infation and cost of living, and tighter credit – latest data suggests weaker sales numbers and prices in Auckland particularly. Speak to us for any fnancing requirements. It’s increasingly diffcult to borrow from both main banks and non-banks who have limited access to funding – so beware of having to sell or refnance a property in this market!

Mortgage advice. Check with us frst.

Contact Mike Simpson on 021 283 8040 or Free mortgage advice. mike.simpson@mortgagesupply.co.nz or contact Richard Trounson on 027 580 1004 or Costs nothing, saves plenty. richard.trounson@mortgagesupply.co.nz We give mortgage advice through our company Trounson Financial Services Ltd Disclosure Statements are on our website: simpsontrounson.co.nz