Bayswater Marina Context Report
Vanesssa Liu
ns Co
Ci
ty
C
Ba ild int ter arg he ht bu ar af m es
N 1 i s f in w o in ar sw re y o to rg ys cti M nd M ay ut il ip ma la Ba jer n i e er t B c am str ic tio nc at a be e f al bl 07 R erva ou sw ing to th in pu
se lea ar ye 05 a1 er nd du an dl ol eh re ef om ec ob at a in in ar ar rM eM te th wa at ys ns Ba io or ict df str g re ne in ig ht ild ig ts e er bu h rb ift rry He ol fe ite n tt fs on r o ou illi go Sim C n i m t 4 rt on $ en ns 14 lz ou 20 ew nm io ia t t n oC ip iro ric en tt ra str nv est en sid fo m oE tr re nt rm t 15 l t gh e n nn ns ea ei ve me no er to a co n at pp st h Go p d o o e w l n e de c t s s a in th ve ur wi ur y la a e s ng ga o g Co t B es di a es in e d 9m c ol eal rr gh s a c ak th to s fo lt p Hi nt ic a a H pp i e o m n in a to me bl nc dr ied 20 Jo ar cts pl al op pu ou to m C d tin r M je p e el es ap y l s fro p i t te re de ar ev t i a i a c r c d e c M ed n e wa u e gs e cr uc of ou ys Co or s d in siv in C e d r t ed Ba igh Sh ne ol ten rte ty gr sta th Jo Ci a H e in Ca 09 H ein e e a or in re rin tur ris th rin N rt e b 20 ho a S m a in Ma wid strip M fu Ch th ro r M ing te l er or er or a f ate ult la 5m na at n f ist
20
99
illi
0m
on
rm fo al os op pr
ip rsh ive s ce th re er to rb in fo nt nd we la vis im Da cla re nd to sa n in io ilk at W rv se en on wh n fC io to ct en tru tm ns ar co ep re s eD fo be rth th ay be to 30 tion ad ed d 4 ica ell an pl nc ge ap ca illa the n io av e ct in ad tru ar s m ns r m vi Co fo Da al d os an op s Pr lkin
3 $2
d ug rry r m ket lic ovl 06 an l bo fe te ar ub v 20 uck rt w wa m fe p er in A be ne s e er r ay th hn lop 05 n H l fo at B on to c ev 20 imo posa in” rina ing ith d S ro ha a ek t w P C M e 04 n’s ter cil s en 20 uee swa ou reem “Q Bay re C ag e o 03 Sh eas ge th s l 20 ’ illa r n av No ow in r ar 02 C
20
19
89
i 88 W
19 19
From the first proposal in 1988 to the current proposal at Bayswater marina, the developers have been faced with the concerns of a loss of public and marine identity and an inhibition of recreational activities, which have contributed to the site and its marine environment. Through the years, the developers, North Shore Council, Auckland City Council and the Government have undergone many occasions of rejection and appeal in court in taking a step further in the development of the marina. The common factors inhibiting this have been the height restriction, which has prevented the developers from building a high-density residential zone and the back and forth appeal of the public marginal strip.
PUBLIC
DEVELOPERS
There must be a middle ground between what the developer want for the site and what is needed to generate revenue with what the public wants and how the development would affect their access to the site. While meetings were set up for the proposal to be presented to the public, there was no community consultation during the design and development process. Bayswater Marina has always been a location with an emphasis on the marine environment and recreational activities. The implementation of a medium density residential development is a threat to the public’s accessibility of the site. A residential development would create a community which the public are worried will be privatized.
‘Live-aboards’ the term commonly given to people who choose to live on boats can be used to describe those who currently call Bayswater Marina their home. The number of residents living permanently on boats at Bayswater marina and several other marinas around Auckland are small as it is a lifestyle not suited for everyone, however for those residents, there couldn’t be a better place for them than living with views to the Waitemata harbor and Auckland CBD outside their window. The marina has created a safe and small community of residents, which could have the potential to grow but needs rejuventated facilities.
With a shortage in affordable housing being an issue around Auckland, one can see how live-aboards are drawn into living at sea in addition to the marine lifestyle. The beautiful views and oscillating waves create a unique lifestyle many currently living at Bayswater Marina find better than many apartments around Auckland. With rent starting at $600 per month for a 10m berth, becoming a live-aboard to many can be tempting. Residents at the marina, range from single businessmen to families. Children of all ages are able to bond together however the marina lacks facilities for the recreational activities for children. There are no lawns to mow and the Bayswater ferry is close by. One family fell in love with this lifestyle while renting out their house and ever since have lived permanently on board even growing a herb garden on board and have easy access to the veggie garden in the Marina.
1. Sophie Bond, “People Choosing to Live on Boats,” New Zealand Herald, June 7, 2012. 2. Cliff Taylor, “A Life on the Ocean Wave,” New Zealand Herald, June 1, 2008. 3. Ibid. 4. Ibid.
Takapuna Boating Club formerly Bayswater Club was founded 1914. It is home to a lot of the recreational activities at the marina. Originally located at Panmure, the Club relocated to Bayswater in the 1920s where Bayswater baths, a salt water swimming pool was built out towards the sea. But this was later removed due to issues with maintenance and deterioration of the structure through weathering. Home to recreations such as sailing, canoeing, paddle boarding and surf skiing, the re-instatement of a salt water swimming pool could add to the attraction of Bayswater Marina as a location not just for people in transition or berth owners.
The earlier proposal for the 430 berths at the marina in 1988 raised concerns for the Takapuna Boating Club. They had fears that the construction would alter the way the Club and its recreational activities would operate for their smaller boats and hall out areas. So when Bayswater Marina Holdings proposed the development for the marina, Takapuna Boating Club was one of many who were opposed. There is an apprehension that the development of a medium density residential zone would inhibit on the operation of the Boating Club and the marina’s focus on a marine environment and recreational activities which has always been an emphasis and drawing point to the location. Berth Proposal
2014
The operation of ferry at Bayswater formerly known as O’Neills Point dates back to the first journey of the steam ferry Pupuke from Auckland CBD. Around 1906, living close to the city became highly sought after by the public so Bayswater became a popular residential suburb in development. The formation of Takapuna Tramways and Ferry Company Limited stemmed from the plan to have a ferry that would connect the Bayswater Peninsula to Auckland CBD. And from Bayswater Peninsula there would be a tram which would run around Takapuna and Milford. Businessmen realized the close connection between Bayswater and Auckland CBD and the potential for a successful transport node almost 100 years ago. Bayswater marina has the potential to be a key node of Auckland transport and bring not just commuters but visitors to the site aswell.
Prior to the construction of the bridge and the initial stages of cars, buses and trams in Auckland, ferries were principal to Auckland’s public transport system. In the early 1900s ferries were already operating almost hourly and were making multiple stops along routes; but not circular routes. Ferries were not solely for the purpose of transportation across the harbor but also around all waterfront suburbs such as Orakei, Kohimarama and St Heliers. But by the 1950s, ferry routes had been diminished and multiple stops along routes were almost eliminated. By 1959 the Auckland Harbour Bridge was in operation and the Bayswater ferry became redundant.
rry Fe
ry er rf te wa ys Ba
in ice
r se
n io at er op
d re to es er vic
B to
97
19
0
91
r1
e at sw ay
d ue tin ed on en sc p di e o ice dg rv ri se r b ry ou er b r f ar te H wa ys Ba
rv se
ice
rv
se
in
e op
u Em
in
ry r fe
ice rv se
N to
th or
re o Sh
. Co rry ny Fe pa m am te 13 Co S rt ed rt 20 po u po ns tin on d ra on ev re e T sc fD sto or di re d eo Sh vice re nc ice rth ser ge rv esto No ar er r se e y m to ul r r c t -e i vic e e f r h Re ar fle ve se te ul ld d ry co 88 r a o op fe r th y s he 19 ep n ad en No a or k p r he i m g 84 en om B C in nd e 19 Birk or b e rry e a d Fe rvic Sh vice ue 82 rth ser tin am se 19 n te y r o No us t S er sc B m di or y f ro or np Ba y f ot rry e a vo ley d rf sM a De tan la ey ny ed K cu t 59 S r pa to hi m po e ve 19 ns du Co te co tra ed rry u s r th Fe er tin No ng n o am e te ss isc 44 a d tS 19 0 p ice or np ,00 serv vo 20 t r n rry De po ha fe a by a on et er am or am ev ov ar D M ar r n m o f ke hi 26 him d ta Ko de 19 Ko o as a t n 25 he ew io n 19 vic at io r e er at S er op y r in 23 op er es in ut 19 ice eF t y r ro rv co er se h ad t rf rry he or la u N ay Fe c en B d hi rk an ey Bi 12 ve y nl d o/ n 19 ta an rg pa oS te ca m t st co n Co Fir tio rth ry ra er d No F 09 pe ea er o h m 19 ov in ea en t k g ice e S Bir kin rv or to ta se Sh n n o rry rs tio r th ti a Fe lie era No er He op d op 00 St in an in 19 to ny nd ce n la rvi io pa ck se at m er o Au ry r te p e yC o r co 92 F in Fer r th 18 ice No rv am to se Ste n rry rt tio Fe po ra
ry
er am te ts s Fir
r Fe
n 82 evo 18 D
81
18
75
18
60 18
Sealink believes that the funding given to ferries falls short of the Government funding provided to both buses and rail resulting in ferries being a more expensive form of transport even though many commuters would choose ferries over other forms of transport in order to avoid traffic. Auckland, the city of sails is seen as a “maritime environment� with two harbours and coastal villages. Historically, Aucklanders have relied on ferries to cross the harbour. Prior to the bridge, trains and buses, ferries were the key form of transportation both around Auckland and across to the North Shore for passengers, cargo and vehicles. A focus on the maritime and nautical activities can rejuvenate what was once a key location.
Waitemata Harbour
While Auckland Council is trying to enhance the growth along transport nodes, Bayswater along with Devenport were both transport nodes which were rejected for residential developments back in 2007. Bayswater was seen as an exception to the strategy. Formerly a transport node in operation only 5 days a week, Bayswater has grown to operate daily and almost hourly. Easy access to public transportation is important in any hub or thriving location giving Bayswater potential for success. A suggested circular route for the ferry including Bayswater as one of many stops can increase activity at the marina if the area is developed into a bustling location and provides activities which have a niche in the market. It can giver better facilities to an already established community and be home to a focus on marine and aquatic recreational activities.