This report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities from 1 July to 1 August 2021. My roles include: 

Planning and Heritage portfolio (lead)

Culture, Arts and Events portfolio (second)

Environment and Infrastructure (second)

Domain Committee

Climate Change Reference Group

I also attend the meetings of:

The Karangahape Road Business Association,

The Karangahape Road Collective

The Grey Lynn Community Centre,

The Herne Bay Residents Group

The Grey Lynn Residents Group

And I have participated in the Ponsonby, City Centre Innovating Streets workshops and now sit on the Project Wave steering group.

The WLB advocates for climate change action, better water management, better public and active transport choices, mix of housing, quality urban design that includes appropriate heritage protection, the return of tree protections and the protection and restoration of the Hauraki Gulf.

LGNZ Conference

I topped up my training/conference allowance so as to attend the LGNZ Conference in Blenheim this year. It was indicated to us that three water reforms were likely to be mandatory. There was some discussion on the pressures on housing, as domestic investors have purchased properties in the regions and put the rents up displacing families who were now all but priced out. Adjusting the financial levers to make property speculation less attractive and renters rights stronger would be much appreciated by many communities.  There were presentations encouraging local councils to focus on placemaking and the arts. It is unclear whether central government will take over planning entirely or whether it will be done on a regional basis. A good deal of draft policy statements affecting housing are being consulted upon at the moment. In the remit section it was notable that councils agreed as advocacy positions to government, that councils should be able to reintroduce blanket tree protections, that government should set clear carbon emissions targets. The conversation about natural hazards became more pressing as Westport councillors left early because of flooding and many delegates could not leave Blenheim due to flight cancellations.

Climate Change and the Environment

There has been a considerable amount of press on flooding around the world including New Zealand that has led to death, destruction and questions over whether or not to retreat. As conversations on Auckland’s growth continues it is a concern that much of this will be on floodplains or flood prone areas. Central government has indicated that they will not come to the rescue in the future, and have indicated that home owners must do due diligence when checking Land Information Memorandums. In some ways this is welcome. If people refuse to buy a home on a flood plain then there will be no market for them. Waitemata is so sufficiently developed that it makes sense to protect these areas. However, to avoid another leaky home disaster, it may be wise for councils to focus on development in areas that are safer. Unfortunately the Drury project has been in the planning for a decade and is a central part of Auckland Council and the government’s Urban Growth Agenda. It does beg the question, when do a project’s shortcomings make a change in course sensible. This is a concern to us in Waitemata because the Economic Plan focuses investment into the South and West, diverting support that is also needed in the centre.

https://www.hud.govt.nz/assets/News-and-Resources/Publications/2953b47ad9/Cabinet-paper-Terms-of-Reference-for-Auckland-Housing-and-Urban-Growth-Joint-Programme.pdf

Progress in the Hauraki Gulf

As the legislative work goes through their processes it is great to see how studies made through Covid confirm that more protections will help our marine life. We are taking steps in the right direction. https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/300363802/lockdown-study-of-hauraki-gulf-shows-dolphins-communicate-better-with-fewer-boats

The Karangahape Road Collective

Chloe Swarbrick has been leading this work. She has written to Andrew Little, supported by Mayor Goff, asking for greater resourcing of addiction services and support for the homeless. The Local Board has also written to Carmel Seppuloni asking for clear leadership of the homelessness plan. The response from Andrew Little is below:

Chloe has written: While our office continues to work with the Auckland City Mission, Lifewise, Odyssey and AMTK to support and push forward a number of projects, as well as KBA, Council, our Local Board and the Police, it’s become clear that there are already a number of entities that exist to facilitate connection between service providers and identify gaps and pathways in the Central City. As such, the real role the Collective seems to be playing is to inform residents what’s going on and provide a space for sharing information and asking questions… it therefore feels really wise that we evolve the collective into a Resident’s Association... From this, there’s the opportunity to establish a Neighbourhood Watch, and/or facilitate any of those grassroots, community-led solutions, and to elect representatives with power to engage with particularly local government and state agencies directly.
The local board will welcome working with a residents association and advocating on their behalf. The local board has also put more funding into supporting City Mission’s Home Ground and into scoping out an overnight support centre.

PLANNING

The National Policy Statement on Urban Development continue: heritage & amenity

There is deep concern from some residents in the heritage areas of the Waitemata that they will lose overlay protections and they are right to be concerned. They fear that the housing that might replace their homes, that have been painstakingly restored over decades in many cases, will not be affordable, and the $10m per apartment development in Three Lamps seems to back them up. In the 80s a huge amount of heritage was lost to create shoddy housing. It would be an enormous shame to go down that track again. It might turn what is currently a vibrant area with a range of homes at different prices (exactly the sort of place the NPS is trying to enable) that is actually lived in, and much-loved, into luxury condominiums that are left empty much of the time.

We have also received a letter from the character coalition making the point that once heritage is lost it is gone, that 91% of residents feel heritage is important or very important and only 0.3% of Auckland is considered heritage. There is hope that it will be possible to protect some areas of “high quality” heritage in the future and we are very much pushing for that, while also trying to enable good quality midrise development on the arterials and close to transport.

The Auckland Unitary Plan has meant that a good deal of area in Waitemata is already zoned for intensification and construction is continuing apace in Parnell – both retirement villages and market apartments – and Grey Lynn – large apartment buildings on the ridges – and Westmere – a good deal of infill terrace housing. There are a number of offices being converted into apartments, and there are a number of apartments available in the city centre at relatively low prices. There are some patterns emerging. To be desirable a home needs to be more than warm and dry and affordable. It needs to be:

Good value – and hold its value. This precludes for many, leasehold apartments, and unattractive cheaply made apartments. Well-constructed attractive apartments that do not suffer noise, air or light pollution and that are in easy, safe walking distance of amenities do hold their value. This means improving rules on LED billboards – the Signage bylaw will be open to consultation later this year.

Light and bright and well-designed. Currently many apartments are designed as if they are just for occasional use, with insufficient outlook and even bedrooms without windows. I have consistently pushed back on this but the rules need to change.

Embedded in a community. A good residents association at a building or neighbourhood level is helpful as are “third spaces” where people can greet each other without feeling they must now start a relationship. There is a drive in urban policy drafts to remove the expectation of amenities so as to build greater quantities of home. This seems shortsighted and wil make it harder for ethical developers to compete.

One of the key barriers to producing great homes in the city centre is the existence of poor housing stock that takes up space. There have been no resource consents to build an apartment building in the centre for two years. It would be great to understand how many apartments are lived in, and what levers can be pulled to ensure that new apartments will meet the requirements of Aucklanders. It seems that new apartments are considered a less good investment now that they can only be sold onto locals[1]. This is an opportunity for developers to pivot towards creating great apartments as homes. I hope they will take it.

Leys Institute

The restoration of the Leys Institute is in the budget of the Long Term Plan. However, the funds may be inadequate for the work and are contingent on a business case – which we are pushing for as soon as possible. When we understand the costs then we will do our best to work out how to make the shortfall in funding. This may involve asset sales, a targeted rate, or redirecting funding.

Highwic House Carpark Improvements

Built in 1862, Highwic House is in the Newmarket area of Auckland and is a historic estate which is open to the public for tours and private events. The entire site is subject to a Historic Heritage Overlay and the building is listed by Heritage New Zealand as a category I structure. It is proposed to upgrade the existing carpark surfaces as indicated in the diagram above. The outcomes seek to ensure that the facility and its surrounding landscape remain fit for purpose, accessibility is improved and the heritage and aesthetic values remain protected. The design intent was to re-introduce the historic look and feel and considerable discussions were had around the extent, type and material finish of the surfaces.

Scope of work:

·       Mill off existing asphalt surfaces (685m2)

·       Mc Callums red chip lightly exposed concrete surfacing (515m2)

·       Mc Callums red chip grade 4 chip seal surfacing (170m2)

·       Bluestone kerbing and flush-mounted Bluestone interpretive strips to chip seal area (66 linear meters)

·       Reinstatement works

Work is scheduled to commence at the end of August 2021 and be completed by mid-October 2021

Memorial Statues

A member of the community raised her concerns about colonial memorials in the Waitemata Local Board Area. We decided to resource work to consider how best to address the problems these memorials raise. We were open to more signage, the removal of statues where appropriate, or to take the advice from our maori engagement team. These statues are protected by legislation and we are obliged to follow a process of engagement. There are a good deal of important conversations going on at the moment around the future of water, housing, climate change and maori wards to name a few. It has been indicated to us that the statues are of a lower priority to maori so this work may have to be deferred in the interim.

Resource Consents (of interest)

I keep track of resource consent applications for buildings, structures, and tree pruning and removal as they are received by Council, requesting further information, plans and Assessments of Environmental Effects for applications of interest[1].

New Applications

339 Great North Road Grey Lynn Auckland    1021

LUC60382639

Construction of a seven level building containing 153 residential apartments and 8 commercial offices. From the outside the urban design values are good. As an approach to apartment living there is a lot to recommend it. While apartments are small, residents can enjoy various shared spaces. There is lots of bike parking and a fair amount of car parking (about 2 parks for every 3 apartments). Though it is taller than the guidelines in the AUP, it is to the South of neighbouring dwellings and across the street from those East and West. The board does have concerns about the high proportion of bedrooms with no windows however, and the reliance on mechanical ventilation. The wellbeing of children and more vulnerable members of the community are of importance to the board. Such rooms may be both too dark and too hot in a warming world. It is of concern that we must rely on electric lights and ventilation for a room to function. We have relayed our concerns.

[1] Significant applications are referred to the relevant residents’ associations for their input which I then relay to planners as part of the Local Board’s input.  I particularly keep a look out for tree removals, helicopter pad requests, digital billboards facing residential buildings, impact on heritage buildings and place and more than minor breaches of the unitary plan.

The Waitemata Local Board recognises the amenity value of trees and has adopted the Ngahere Urban Forest Strategy. Where it is possible to keep trees we advocate for them. Sometimes trees may be removed for the building of transport and energy infrastructure that locks in lower carbon emissions in the future. Where trees are removed our position is that there should be more trees planted than are lost in the same neighbourhood. Good urban design and spatial planning can make a huge difference to the quality of a neighbourhood. Considering new developments through a climate change lens is also necessary. The council has committed to halving emissions by 2030 which should impact decision-making across all departments.

74 Shortland Street Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60382019

Minor earthworks for the installation of electricity ducting.

Unallocated

This is a heritage building so just wanting to ensure that the works are done sensitively and cause no problems during the works

119 St Stephens Avenue Parnell Auckland    1052

TRE60382192

Within the root zone of a protected Pohutukawa tree growing within the road reserve and a notable Pohutukawa tree. We have relayed are concerns that the notable tree is protected.

144-150 Williamson Avenue Grey Lynn Auckland    1021

LUC60381969

Proposed additions to an existing commercial premises. This is the “dark” Countdown at the end of Williamson Avenue. The activity has been interpreted by our plans and places team as ‘light manufacturing and services’, as a place where goods are prepared for sale, and therefore the activity is permitted in the zone. The consent application is restricted discretionary overall. Under the reasons for consent, noise is not a matter of discretion, therefore I have had to leave this in the compliance space. Operation is from 7am to 7pm. The board has advocated that the resource consent conditions are as tight as possible to keep vehicle movements and loading/ unloading within these timeframes. We are aware how damaging early morning noise can be to people’s health and wellbeing.

Rates 48-52 Mayoral Drive Auckland Central Auckland    1010

City Rail Link Limited

Trenching works will be undertaken within the vegetated area of the Aotea Centre site between the Aotea Centre basement car park wall and the footpath of Mayoral Drive. The trench will be approximately 10-12m long, 1.5 m wide and 5m deep. The proposed investigation works will require machinery operations within the protected rootzone of the two notable Tulip trees. We have asked for any potential damage to be mitigated.

1 Garnet Road Westmere Auckland    1022

LUC60378850

Construction of four storey mixed use building with 6 residential units and 70m2 of commercial retail space on the ground floor. We related these views: In the light of the NPS-UD the breach in height may not be a major obstacle, as long as the shading caused to neighbouring properties is indeed no more than minor. A concern I do have is in the poor outlook for the second bedrooms. This is not in my view density done well or a well-functioning urban form that allows good quality of life. The inhabitants of the second bedroom are unlikely to be the more powerful members of the household and it seems to me even more important then that there is sufficient sunlight and outlook in second bedrooms to ensure wellbeing. If planners were to stay firm on the outlook provision an alternative may be very attractive and spacious one bedroom apartments with perhaps extra storage and a home office. This may offer a better balance and quality of housing stock longterm. 

45 Queen Street Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60380517

To establish two 1m high x 28m long digital changeable message billboard signs on the existing building. This is to replace the existing pair of digital display screens that are currently located on the building on 21 Queen Street, with a similar pair of screens on the building on 45 Queen Street. The screens at 21 Queen Street will be removed. This corresponds with the New Zealand Stock Exchange moving premises. The screens will be 28m wide (corresponding to the width of the glazed façade between the vertical columns at the corners of the building) and 1m high. These will mostly be used for NZX messaging (i.e. a sign) but will also “display news headlines, and when not displaying NZX and S&P sharemarket indices, real time information on stock performance, dairy futures, and foreign exchange information, it contains information/adverts, as well as information for events or city promotions such as Anzac Day, Xmas etc. These elements are essentially off site messaging, and correspond to the definition of billboard.”

286-292 Ponsonby Road Ponsonby Auckland    1011

LUC60380278

Resource consent to demolish, less than 30 percent, of an existing heritage building and for alterations and additions to a heritage  buildings, demolition of existing buildings located on the Ponsonby Road and Pompallier Road corner and construct a new ground plus  4 level building containing retail, food and beverage, offices, commercial services and 16 apartments, 2 levels of basement parking  and all associated works. This is a very upmarket offer but with its high design values and laneways seems likely to enhance this part of Ponsonby Road. One hopes, of course that it will be lived in. The cost of apartments does support the argument that inclusionary zoning exist through all Auckland’s suburbs to ensure a diverse mix of residents.

511/85 Wakefield Street Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60380954

Internal alterations to an existing apartment to create two new non-permanent dwellings with non-compliances with outlook and minimum dwelling standards. The application is on hold pending more detail on the acoustic plan. The proposal is to return a converted apartment to its original form as twin-key apartments of just under 20m2 each. Twin-key apartments were assumed to be for occasional use only and such properties had low amenity standards. Since then standards have gone up and the original twin-key form is no longer permitted as of right. The planner will consider the outlook, ceiling height and shared amenities when assessing this application.

73 Anzac Avenue Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60381076

To convert the existing poster signs to a digital sign at 73 Anzac Avenue, Central Auckland 1010.

We have asked the planners be cautious in the approach here with regards residential amenity and safety with regard the cars coming in and out of the carpark.

Following Up

183 Karangahape Road Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60379906

This proposal seeks to re purpose the space into The White Lady takeaway hamburger food and beverage tenancy which is a permitted activity. The space will house a commercial kitchen and server for the preparation of burgers, fries, and toasties. Customers will be served over a mobile counter directly onto the arcade. There will be a number of LED lights as below. It is with the Heritage Specialist for review. Important to get the balance right on a heritage building.

1A/71 Symonds Street AUCKLAND CENTRAL 1010

LUC60379915

This proposal is for the conversion of a mixed-use site currently being used as a Commercial  office into two bedroom with en-suite ,office, living, dining and kitchen Residential Accommodation Apartment in level 1. The flat is 147 square metres and sunny. There is no balcony but there is mechanical ventilation.

26 Remuera Road

LUC60379395

The proposal involves the establishment of a billboard on the blank wall on the apartment building at 26 Remuera Road, with an area of 12m x 5m (60m2). While this will not impact on other residents in 26 Remuera Road, I would like to be assured it won’t affect any residents on the other side of the road.

14 Crescent Road Parnell Auckland    1052

CST60379440

Demolish and remove an existing boatshed within the coastal marine area and construct a replacement boatshed, cable car, tracks and landing platform. Consent is also sought to authorise continued occupation of the coastal marine area by the new structures pursuant  to section 12 (1), (2) and (3). The planners have asked for more information and the application is on hold.

56 Pollen Street GREY LYNN 1021

LUC60379357

The applicant seeks to apply for new signage platforms and amend the design of the approved building. More information has been requested by the planner and the application is on hold.

16 Shelly Beach Road Ponsonby Auckland    1011

SUB60376108

LUC60376107

Construction of 15 units and 15 lot subdivision. In principle intensification is fine and what is proposed looks generally congenial for living, however the board has a few concerns and queries. Firstly, there is insufficient landscaping and permeable surfaces and we would recommend working with the developer to find a solution. It looks like outdoor living is proposed on top of the units. It may be that green roofs are the answer, or the adaptation of 2 or 4 of the units at the back losing the internal parking and driveway area between them, to create a small shared garden (and have one outdoor car park each). This might also mean that some three bedroom units are possible. However, any solution to get the landscaped area up to 30% however would be acceptable to the board. A second point which I just want to raise is that the units don’t seem accessible to anyone in a wheelchair and changes may be worth considering, even if it is just for the front two apartments.

Asked for More information and waiting to hear

29 Gillies Avenue EPSOM 1023

LUC60382617

Remove existing building and construct 10 three storey units in a terraced typology in the Business Mixed Use zone.  Fee simple subdivision around the approved dwellings. Stormwater discharge to on site soakage and remediation of contaminated soil under the NES. This is close to the motorway off ramp so may cause an issue with more cars in Newmarket but this may simply be unavoidable.

87 Shelly Beach Road Ponsonby Auckland    1011

LUC60379845

WAT60379846

The construction of a 4 storey apartment with basement and associated earthworks on THAB zoned site.

65 Hamilton Road Herne Bay Auckland    1011

LUC60377284

The construction of three residential dwellings and associated earthworks on a residential zoned site. I am interested in how the proposal has changed. I would also still want to advocate for the removal of the villa to be reused elsewhere, or at least the resourcing of the materials. I have requested more information and am waiting to hear.

67 Argyle Street Herne Bay Auckland    1011

LUC60376892

Construct a boat shed on the property. I have asked for more information.

78 France Street South Newton Auckland    1010

WAT60376590

DIS60376559

LUC60376591

Resource consent to demolish the existing buildings on site and construct a new 10 level apartment building containing 96 apartments, a 90m2 commercial space (providing for a range of activities including: retail, food and beverage, office activities, or motor vehicle sales), basement parking and all associated site works. I have asked for more information.

65-67 Upper Queen Street Newton Auckland    1010

LUC60375685

New apartment building and cafe, with ancillary parking, access and signs. I have asked for more information.

Karangahape Road Business Association

Business in Karangahape Road is going well with marketwatch indicating it outperforming other areas in the city. The destination marketing has been extremely helpful driving footfall to the area. The Matariki Party was a huge success too. The AGM is 23rd September. There is a new board member and new members of the office. These structural changes have meant more specialist skillsets that can better support the businesses in the area.

Herne Bay Issues

There are a number of ongoing local issues:

1.      Street trees should be being planted right now.

2.      Helicopters. The residents association have asked us to advocate that private helicopter pads be prohibited in residential areas. We think this is reasonable and advocate for the cumulative effects of helicopter movements to be considered in the Natural and Built Environment Bill.

3.      Stormwater concerns. The HRBA indicate support to water reforms that speed up improvements.

Meetings / events attended in July

I attend all of Tuesday’s local board workshops and business meetings unless noted otherwise. The week commencing 12 July was a recess week.

1 July                   Board meets with David Seymour MP

2 July                   Opening of Te Wananga

6 July                   Attend Lion King

9 July                   Attend Housing Hui at Ellen Melville Hall

12 July                 Attend Local Board Chairs Forum with Kainga Ora

                             Meet Karl Sheridan at Monster Valley    

13 July                 Launch book Play in the City at Unity Books

21 July                 Attend Project Wave Meeting

                             Attend George Weeks leaving drinks

22 July                 Karangahape Road Business Association

                             City Centre Network

                             Meet Pam Ford of Auckland Unlimited with board

                             Attend Sarah Hudson’s Serious Fun. Occam Lecture Series at ObjectSpace

26 July                 Visit City Mission Engagement Space to find out more about Home Ground

27 July                 Grey Lynn Community Centre meeting

28 July                 Planning Committee Workshop on the NPS

29 July                 Speaking event on Play in the City as part of Verb Wellington

30 July                 Visit Zealandia and Te Papa before flying home

31 July                 Watch Te Po at the Bruce Mason Theatre

Conferences / member development in July

Every Friday       Introduction to Te Reo Maori

9 July                   Attend lecture “What we remember, what we forget”

14-17 July           Attend LGNZ Conference in Blenheim (return delayed two days because of floods)

Disclosures

I am doing a phD in the Dance Department of the University of Auckland, studying the potential roles of playful arts practices in co-producing the Playful City.  I am a member of Women in Urbanism, and currently the Deputy Presiding Member on the Richmond Road School board. My husband is director of dog walking company Fetch. I recently published the book Play in the City in which I advocate for more time and space to play in city planning and management. This is not entirely frivolous in my view, this time spent maintaining relationships, community building, problem solving, developing skills and thinking ahead is essential to prepare for future challenges.

Finally

I am on Facebook, please do friend me, for regular updates or to raise issues or ask for more information on what is happening in the local area. I have set up a website alexbonham.co.nz in which I discuss some of the issues that are crossing our desks and give more information and links on engagement with council. Anyone living in Waitemata is also very welcome to get in touch with me by email: alexandra.bonham@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. 

Recommendation

That this report be received.