The May report covers my Waitematā Local Board Activities from 20-30 April 2021. I became Deputy Chair on 28 April and have an expanded role including:  Planning and Heritage portfolio (lead); Culture, Arts and Events portfolio (second); Environment (second); Domain Committee member; liaison for the Karangahape Road Business Association, Herne Bay Residents Group and Grey Lynn Residents Group. The WLB is also advocating for climate change action, better water management, the return of tree protections of the Hauraki Gulf.

 

Arts, Community & Events Portfolio

April saw the beginning of the urban walking festival which has been brilliant. A lot of walks are free, and subjects cover everything and anything from fashion to art, some go very short distances, others cross the isthmus. May will see the Readers and Writers Festival. It is wonderful to be back out doing all the things which in 2019 we took for granted! First Thursdays are back in Karangahape Road which is great news too. The weather may not be so great at this time of year but there is lots going on.

 

The Anzac Day dawn service was well attended at the Domain and events occurred across Auckland through the morning. The event does not glorify war but reminds us of its horror and the sacrifices that people make for the people and land that they love.

 

The conversations around the homeless in Karangahape Road continue (do look to my March and April  report). Chloe Swarbrick is leading the Karangahape Road collective process but Kerrin Leoni, Adriana Avendano Christie and I have started a conversation with the City Mission to help us better understand what is happening and how best to support those supporting those on the streets right now. The most unpredictable behaviour comes, we have been told, on Wednesday to Saturday. There are a lack of support places for those with mental health issues and traumas for people to go for help in the evening and through the night.

 

The mission are soon to leave Union Street for Home Ground close to St Matthews Cathedral where they will have a variety of spaces to use and rent out including, if I understand correctly, kitchens. This may be an opportunity to teach people how to cook as many people do not know. We have been hearing about their variety of activies and which ones are popular. People are drawn to activities and places where good things flow together (wairua). For example, the wahine dinner continues to grow in popularity. There is food and safety and the opportunity to be around others who have experienced similar trauma which provides solidarity and empathy. The morning waiata comes with breakfast, is enjoyable to be part of, enjoyable to listen to and again feels safe and brings people together. They have tried kapa haka but had lower uptake in the past though it might change if presented in a slightly different way. The whanau remember the satisfaction they had working on the Nagati Whatua gardens in the past. Again wairua. Being supported to work together looking after the plants, through planting, weeding, harvesting and food preparation was useful, capacity-building, mana-enhancing and sociable and it led to eating together. They would very much like access to a safe, secure garden space.

 

We have also been talking to Kainga Ora. Work on Grey’s Avenue continues apace which will offer 210 apartments to those in need. They are following the Foyer Model from the UK. An internet search suggests that in the UK this is a transitional housing model aimed at young people, 16-25 to get them back on track (https://www.foyer.net/foyers). In such housing residents are safe, have access to health and wellbeing support, and the opportunity to learn financial, professional, social skills. The idea is then they can live independently when they are ready. This seems a very interesting model and could be very useful for the small but very real group of our youth who are homeless. In New Zealand the youth most likely homeless are Maori, Pasifika, and Rainbow. Cultural support would also be useful. However it seems that Grey’s Avenue will be predominantly inhabited by single people with high needs from the housing waiting list, some of whom may never move on.

It is following the housing first model too. Wrap around services will be provided, and health support, we were told about a toenail clipping service and help with life skills but presumably there will be mental heath and addiction support, access to dentistry too though we will find out more presently. There do not seem to be plans to offer activities, rather to connect residents (in the foyer presumably) to courses and activities provided elsewhere. If this is the case then it might be beneficial to work with City Mission and council’s community empowerment team to coordinate a support response that works for them and neighbours. These buildings are planned for what is currently the highest density living area in the country. Everyone needs to be, and feel safe, and comfortable in the area.

 

Portfolio Report: Heritage and Planning

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. 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.

 

The proposed Long Term Plan is a big step forward in reducing emissions but in and of itself will be insufficient to ensure that Auckland reaches its reduction goals. It is particularly disappointing that the Auckland Transport Alignment Plan is likely to increase rather than reduce net emissions. ATAP is co-authored by central government and council. This feedback will be given. For those concerned with water quality, there is clear support for a water quality targeted rate.

 

The series of workshops on the National Policy Statement on Urban Development continue. (see more in my March report.)

 

Resource Consents (of interest)

New Applications (where more information has been requested)

 

67 Argyle Street Herne Bay Auckland    1011

LUC60376892

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

 

175 Khyber Pass Road Grafton Auckland    1023

LUC60376568

Replace existing static billboard with digital billboard on building at 175 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton. This looks like it will only affect businesses as there do not seem to be any buildings nearby.

 

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. While we approve intensification close to public transport, I have asked to find out a bit more.

 

16 Shelly Beach Road Ponsonby Auckland    1011

SUB60376108

LUC60376107

Construction of 15 units and 15 lot subdivision. I have asked for more information.

 

31 England Street Freemans Bay Auckland    1011

LUC60375898

Additions and alterations to a dwelling located within the Special Character Area. I have asked for more information.

 

16 Titoki Street Parnell Auckland    1052

SUB60376087

Subdivision of 539-541 Parnell Road, 4 Maunsell Road and 16 Titoki Street, Parnell, Auckland.

Proposed subdivision including the amalgamation of lots; a boundary adjustment; creating a lease for a term greater than 35 years in favour of The Foundation Village Partnership for a term of 105 years; the surrendering of several easements and the creation of easements; and the issue and cancellation  of consent notices. I have asked for more information.

 

1 Judges Bay Road PARNELL 1052

LUC60375922

Alterations and additions to an existing house, earthworks and a new vehicle crossing. Awaiting information.

 

ROAD Liverpool Street Auckland Central Auckland    1010

TRE60376719

Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) has requested Vector to install an alternative power supply for Auckland Hospital. Stockman General Contractors have been engaged to undertake the works. The alternative power supply will extend from the Liverpool Street substation to the Auckland Hospital via Airedale Street, Symonds Street, Alten Road, Stanley Street and Grafton Road. There are 57 trees growing near the line of works – 54 are street or reserve trees and 51 are notable trees. The chosen lay line will be in close proximity to the row of notable London Plane trees growing on the northern side of Symonds Street, in places up to three metres away.

The works will include a trench profile of 1.2m deep and 840mm wide. Due to limitations in the supply network, an alternative route is not considered suitable and the lay line and construction methodology has been determined due to existing services. Given the proximity of the lay line to the trees, the work methodologies will be managed so that the potential adverse effects are avoided or minimised.  There really are quite a few, and the route is very long to connect the hospital with the Liverpool Street Substation. A much more direct route is Grafton Bridge but the issue here is that this is a heritage structure. It does seem ironic that a bridge that exemplifies the can do spirit of industrialisation can’t be used. I have queried.

 

The trees affected are:

 

56 St Marys Road Ponsonby Auckland    1011

LUC60376707

A previous approved and current resource consent (LUC60319959) included a new bathroom & link to the existing garage. This NEW application is for a different bathroom and link to the garage and also a new Bedroom Study over the existing garage. All other works within LUC60319959 have been completed or deleted as explained in the attached new AEE and drawings. I have queried this as the garage seems to be very close to the next house and any breaches of height to boundary will have a significant impact on the neighbour’s outlook.

 

731 Great North Road Grey Lynn Auckland    1021

DIS60376318

DIS60376450

LUC60376346

Watercare proposes to construct a new accessway at the Western Springs Stadium, within the outer playing fields of this complex. The accessway will support the construction of the Central Interceptor project.

 

St Paul's Church

LUC60376144

28 Symonds Street Grafton Auckland    1010

To install external lighting to the west and north west of the church to illuminate the principle facade and tower.  Internal lighting is to be installed within the nave and tower to illuminate the tower windows and west rose window from the inside. An LED sign will replace the current signage to the front of the church and 2 corten steel signs to be installed to the low boundary wall perforated to display the name of the church. Though this sounds worrying in fact the illuminations are rather stunning drawing attention to the architecture and stained glass and has the support of Heritage New Zealand.

 

 

75 Boston Road Grafton Auckland    1023

LUC60375666

To replace an existing static billboard with a digital billboard on a building facade. Below is the location. There is another LED billboard just behind across the street. The question is whether this location is going to cause issues for residents/ businesses in the area. It is facing up the road however so it may be ok. However for someone heading north this is a great view of Mangawhau the proposed and existing billboards are, arguably, unhelpful distractions. I have been advised that there is a review of billboards with some consideration of their cumulative effects and I will ask the planners to consider the proposal with that lens.

46-58 Customs Street East Auckland Central Auckland    1010

LUC60375489

The applicant proposes to provide a new digital LED window display for the Ryder Salon to revitalise the ground level of the Charter  House Building and also activate the building frontage along Britomart Place. Four 55-inch LED screens are proposed to be installed  behind each of the four existing windows for the Ryder Salon along Britomart Place. We have expressed our concerns about the LED billboards in this building. A huge amount of effort has gone into improving the space, including installing artworks etc in the shop but also by Auckland Council, AT and other landowners in the area. Recommend limited notification to surrounding businesses and landlords. The salon has supported artists over the years like Michael Parekowhai which has been appreciated by the wider community over the years. We acknowledge with thanks the art displays: they will be missed.

 

154-174 Beach Road Auckland Central Auckland    1010

DIS60375515

LUC60375456

The Beach Road bus depot application has been hold for a number of months but a new resource consent request is now with us: Siteworks of a contaminated site including associated discharge. The  proposal  involves undertaking earthworks across the site in accordance with the Cut Fill Plan. This is to level the site, to allow the future Bus Depot to be provided, and / or – allow the site to be redeveloped for a preferred (and  consented)  Waka Kotahi land use activity in due course. The site is owned by NZTA which they intend to be used for future road widening. The road widening is not likely to happen for another 15-20 years. The increase in bus movements may have a correlating rise in air pollution in a high density residential area. The increase in space for asphalt and vehicles may also contribute to the heat island effect. Both Council’s traffic specialist and Auckland Transport have raised traffic safety concerns in relation to the buses turning right onto Beach Road from the existing access. AT have also provided some preliminary comments in relation to the proposal, which the applicant is yet to respond to. A notification decision has yet to be made. When this will be has not been relayed to me. I have chased up again following this new application reiterating our recommendation that a bus depot be notified. It would be preferable for general safety and placemaking to get all ducks in a row before demolishing buildings and doing work in preparation of a land use that may not ultimately be consented.

 

222-228                Queen Street Auckland Central Auckland    1010 - LUC60374968

This is the Hallenstein’s Building. The site has a dual frontage onto both Queen Street and Lorne Street – both frontages are proposed to be altered.  The site is zoned as Business City Centre under the AUP(OP) and is located within the Queen Street Valley Precinct. The building is a pre-1940’s building but not heritage scheduled / listed with HNZ. The proposed works include the following:

•         The seismic strengthening of the existing buildings;

•         The removal of the existing Queen Street retail shop front entry and replacement with a new frontage and canopy;

•         The removal of the existing Lorne Street retail front and office entry and replacement with a new frontage;

•         The enclosure of the existing light well for a new circulation and office space;

•         Internal alterations, such as the removal of existing bathroom facilities

The application is currently on hold under s92 for minor clarifications re. design and planning matters. Both Urban Design and Heritage specialists generally supportive of the proposal. The designs look good with efforts to maintain the heritage values while also freshening up the retail/ office offering.

 

 

2 Kotare Avenue Westmere Auckland    1022

LUC60372558

Proposed residential development of 5 units. This is on a corner site in Westmere currently with one decent-sized two-storey family home and garden. The new buildings are three storeys and a substantial amount of the space will be used for carparking. As is happening all over these areas a good deal of green space is being lost with no addition of green space being made available in the public realm and what there is will become less accessible.  With the increase in car use to be expected around Westmere the streets will become less safe for children to negotiate. My concern is that the AUP and design manuals privileges the discreet storage of cars over outdoor and green spaces that residents (including children) can use and I wonder if there are opportunities to go higher, offer parking on the ground floor and leave more space for gardens?

 

Still Chasing

 

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.

 

229A Ponsonby Road Freemans Bay Auckland    1011

WAT60375638

LUC60375487

Modification of the 1989 church hall at the rear of the site for use as a 10 person boarding house, and two level apartment with basement garaging. Restoration of the church for community use.  The church, but not the hall, is a scheduled heritage building. This sounds prima facie like a good use of space and have asked for more information.

 

60 Summer Street Ponsonby Auckland    1011

LUC60375209

Demolition of more than 30% of the existing dwelling, additions and alterations in the special character area overlay, replacement front boundary fence, retrospective consent for existing garden shed, minor site works. Have requested more information.

 

8 Domain Drive Parnell Auckland    1052

SUB60374817

The proposal seeks to adjust the boundary between 8 Domain Drive and 3 Maunsell Road. The boundary adjustment will incorporate the d riveway for 8 Domain Drive into 3 Maunsell Road to reflect the current land use. The rear boundary of 3 Maunsell Road will be shifte d 1.8m to the north-east to align with the existing fencing (see Figure 5) and provide space for maintenance of the garage at the rear of the site. It would be interesting to know what precedent this sets. No information has been forthcoming on this one.

 

 

Herne Bay Issues

There are a number of ongoing local issues:

Street trees are valued. As we get close to planting season I have been chasing up with council staff for planting plans. I have been assured:

that the team has created a new mobile based application that allows them to see tree removals across the region and more importantly enables them to check each location and schedule planting.  Previously this was done with printed spreadsheets and information got easily lost. While this is a huge milestone, it is taking a very long time to finalize (the application).  However, today the development team confirmed the application should be ready late next week. This would mean that the team will have Waitemata scoped mid-May.  This is still very sufficient to deliver successful planting. To provide further assurance, last year due to covid we were planting late in September and October. To counteract the lack of water we amended the soil with an additive that helps water retention. As a result none of the trees died which is great. We are planning to proactively use the same additive this year.

There will be another update in the next report.

1.     Helicopters. The residents association have asked us to advocate that private helicopter pads be prohibited in residential areas. [We were assured by staff that it would be very unlikely for any new resource consent to be granted. It is unclear whether variations to existing resource consents that might increase flights are as unlikely. We have a new resource consent application for a boat shed so I am following that up.

2.     Stormwater concerns. Ensuring more investment in water quality was one of our top three advocacy points in the Long Term Plan. While a targeted rate for water seems to meet with approval we are yet to hear about what rate level rise will be approved. We are feeding back to the Governing Body that works should be done, and done in a timely fashion.

3.     Plan Change 26. The Governing Body will be making an announcement on Plan Change 26 shortly.

4.     Parking and the Northern Pathway. This project has been halted due to engineering issues. There will undoubtedly be more conversations on whether a new harbour crossing is needed.

 

Meetings / events attended

20 April                        Attended Queen St Valley Pilot Drop-in Session

22 April                        Attended KBA board meeting

                                    Attended City Centre Network meeting

24 April                        Attended Northcote Art Walk

25 April                        Attended Anzac Dawn Ceremony

27 April                        Attended Women in Urbanism social

28 April                        Meeting at City Mission with members Avendano Christie and Leoni

                                    Lunch with Panuku board

29 April                        Women in Urbanism zoom presentation featuring Eva Kail around creating an inclusive city.

30 April                        Joined a boat trip around Waiheke with the Kelp Gardeners to do some snorkelling around the reefs to consider the mauri of the ocean. A both enjoyable but also sad experience as there is less life than one would like, though at this part of the reef the kelp is not doing badly.

 

Conferences / member development

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.

 

Finally

I am on Facebook and update regularly. 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 very welcome to get in touch with me by email alexandra.bonham@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. 

 

Recommendation

That this report be received.