Media Release: Pizza Party planned for Symonds Street

Life is flourishing at the Symonds Street Community Garden. The first vegetables are taking shape, the bee hives have grown from two to five and there are lots of bumblebees among the self-seeding wildflowers.

Volunteers are now preparing to host a Pizza Party from 10 am on Saturday 12th March for the community. Over the next few weeks the volunteers will be building a pizza oven and harvesting vegetables as toppings for the pizza. Everyone is invited to attend. They are encouraging local residents to bring their own toppings to add to the event at 257 Symonds Street.

Waitemata Local Board Member Rob Thomas says “This once abandoned, derelict site on Symonds Street has been transformed into a lush inner-city garden for everyone to enjoy. A lot of hard work, sweat and sunscreen has gone into creating this space. There is still more to be done but it’s time to reap what you sow.”

Community Garden Manager Sean Taylor says “As much as I have all loved gardening in the space, for me the best part about growing food is being able to eat it. There is nothing better than being able to eat food you grew, surrounded by greenery among new and old friends, it’s what a Kiwi summer is meant to be.”

Mr Thomas says that if residents want to get involved in the garden there are regular working bees on the first Sunday of each month or to visit the facebook page www.facebook.com/SymondsStreetGarden

 

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Greenways; enhancing ecological outcomes

An aspiration of many people in our community is to enhance the ecological outcomes we generate in our parks and open spaces. Over the past six months I have been working with local Landscape Architect Andrea Reid on developing a Pollinator Pathways Strategy for our ward. At our Waitemata Local Board meeting this month I have tabled a Notice of Motion to deliver wider environmental outcomes for our Greenway Projects.

“Notice of Motion: Ecological Enhancements for Greenways Development

Executive Summary

The Waitematā Greenways Plan that was adopted in July 2013 with aspirations to deliver on an overall vision:

“We value our beautiful natural environment and the building and streetscapes that reflect our heritage and shape our identities. We will ensure that these environments are protected and enhanced for future generations to enjoy … we advocate for a sustainable city with connected transport options including public transport that is easy to access and increased cycleways and walkways. We will promote the health and safety of our communities as key factors in transport decisions.”

Beneath this overarching vision, we set out a key objective: 

“We will encourage the use of swales (natural filtration systems), earth sinks, green roofs, green walls, grey water tanks and tree planting around streams.”

The plan goes on to elaborate on the environmental benefits of Greenways as corridors to:

“Improve stormwater quality and reduce flooding events through low impact design (LID) measures, and by enhancing ecosystems, habitat sources and ecological niches.”

With NZTA and Auckland Transport investment in Greenways, for walking and cycling over the next three years, the purpose of this notice of motion is to ensure  that the greater vision that includes ecological enhancements is included in project delivery.

There are three key designs the Waitematā Local Board request Auckland Council and Auckland Transport to consider for ecological enhancements:

Pollinator Pathways Design

Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beetles, skinks and birds are all critical links in our food system. It’s estimated that animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and one-third of human food crops.

Unfortunately, the numbers of both native pollinators and domesticated bee populations are declining. They are threatened by habitat loss, disease, and the excessive and inappropriate use of pesticides.

Auckland Council actively promotes the value of pollinators to the community through a series of educational pamphlets called “Landscapes for Life”. These encourage the private planting of pollinating plants and a how-to guide on building a “Pollinator Palace” to attract pollinators to your garden. However, Auckland Council does not currently have a Pollinator Planting Schedule that would allow for a wider variety of pollinators to be incorporated into planting programmes.

Installing pollinator plantings will help to educate the community on the value of our pollinators and provide the opportunity for our Enviro Schools to participate in developing habitats for pollinators.

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Many of the areas in which the Greenway corridors are to be developed contain non-separated stormwater management adjacent to important ecological sites, streams and beaches.  Heavy rainfall often causes contamination of these sites as stormwater and wastewater combine and are discharged along Auckland’s inner-city coastal areas. Permanent warning signs are in place at Coxs Bay and in St Mary’s Bay as toxins exceed minimal health standards.

Ensuring the delivery of Water Sensitive Urban Design through Greenways will achieve multiple outcomes such as quality urban design with landscaping amenity, ecological and recreational enhancements.

Similar designs have been incorporated into the urban streetscapes in Wynyard Quarter and Hobsonville Point.  Water Sensitive Design includes swales, water filtration and carbon filtration. These are outlined in the Council’s design manual “Water sensitive design for stormwater, 2015”.

Urban Forest Design

Planting new trees provide both a design element to roads and an important habitat for birdlife. Recent planning changes to allow for the removal of trees on private land has put much of the city’s Urban Forest under threat as the city’s population continues to grow and housing intensifies. The Urban Forest also plays an important part in the carbon sequestration process to off-set human-made carbon emissions.

Auckland has always had a proud history of planting trees along road corridors to separate the road from the carriageway. That heritage is reflected in the iconic urban canopies around the Auckland Domain and Franklin Road.

The Auckland Council continues to play an important part in building and maintaining an Urban Forest and should be reflected in the planting schemes for Greenways.

Verge Gardening Design

Verge or Berm Gardening Design encourages greater community empowerment by encouraging neighbours to take ownership of planting schemes. There are great international examples of how allowing the community stewardship creates increased safety and adds local character to an area.

One of the most famous Verge Garden Designs in the world, visited by hundreds of tourists each day, is Lombard Street in San Francisco. These gardens create the perfect integration of public and private garden planning and stewardship.

This Notice of Motion is aimed at delivering greater ecological restoration within the delivery of the Greenways Programme.

Recommendations

1. That Waitematā Local Board re-stipulates to Auckland Council and Auckland Transport the importance of delivering high amenity and ecological enhancement along the proposed Greenways corridors.
2. That the following urban design and ecological restoration design principles are considered for the Waitemata and Greenways Regional Plans:

• Pollinator Planting
• Water Sensitive Urban Design
• Urban Forest
• Verge Gardening

3. That Waitematā Local Board endorses the attached Pollinator Planting Strategy by Andrea Reid. The Waitemata Local Board requests the Auckland Council Parks Team to review the Strategy and report back on how a greater choice of pollinator plant species can be incorporated into projects such as the Waitemata Greenways Projects.

4. That Waitematā Local Board refers the “Ecological Enhancements for Greenways Development Notice of Motion” to the Auckland Council Parks and Recreation Committee and the Greenways Regional Committee for consideration and adoption across greater Auckland.

 

Read More

13 December 2015 – Coxs Bay Walkway Upgrade, click here

20 April 2013 – Construction update: Coxs Bay Boardwalk, click here

1 April 2013 – Column: Starting soon construction on our first walking and cycling highway along Cox’s Bay Creek, click here

10 March 2013 – Construction commences on cycling and walking highway, click here

4 March 2013 – Greenways consultation closing soon, click here

2 September 2012 – Coxs Bay Creek Boardwalk rebuild approved, click here

11 December 2012 – Waitemata Greenways, click here

 

Protecting Newmarket’s Volcanic Viewshafts

In support of the Newmarket Community Association I presented on the Volcanic View Shaft Protection rules for the PAUP (Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan). Based on the feedback from commissioners it looks like we might have a win.

My comments to the commissioners:

Topic 020 Viewshafts

“My name is Rob Thomas, I am an elected member of the Waitemata Local Board.

However, I am presenting to you today as an independent witness for the Newmarket Community Association.

The evidence I am presenting today is in support of keeping Auckland’s Volcanic View Shafts in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.

At the heart of a city’s planning framework are rules and guidelines that are designed to prevent the adverse effects that can come from the growth of a city. As Auckland’s population continues to grow and our built environment continues to intensify, Auckland’s Volcanic View Shaft Overlay will continue to be a vital tool, in our planning framework, that will enable growth while protecting the significantly important views that creates Auckland’s unique identity.

Newmarket has experienced significant population growth in less than a decade from 1,578 residents in 2006 to 2,958 in 2013 (Statistics NZ). With significant investment, such as the University of Auckland’s new Engineering Campus on Khyber Pass (with the potential for 5,000 full time students), the planned Westfield Development, the yet to be announced apartment development on the former Newmarket Bowling Club site, Newmarket is likely to experience further intensification and population growth. This growth in my opinion is not stifled by the existing view shaft protect rules. The Newmarket Metropolitian Town Centre will continue to grow and thrive while the Volcanic View Shaft continues to protect our important connection back to both our natural and cultural heritage.

A Link to Auckland’s Natural History

Over the past five years I have door knocked over 16,000 homes in Auckland’s Inner-City and time and time again I hear from residents who tell me that our natural environment is so critical to Auckland’s future.

Auckland’s Volcanoes set the dramatic backdrop to our environment that flows into the Waitemata Harbour. It’s my view that the visual presents and dominance of our Volcanoes, unobstructed by view, is a critical part of the long-term protection of our natural environment. Auckland’s Volcanoes are an iconic feature of the cities natural landscape and that iconic status should continue to be reflected in Auckland’s Volcanic View Shaft overlay in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.

A recent study undertaken at the Auckland University of Technology called “Pollinator Pathways” highlights the importance of cities maintaining pollen pathways for animals and insects. It notes that Bees can travel up to 5kms searching for pollen. The study highlights that potential barriers to pollen include transport corridors and the built environment. It is unarguable that our volcanic cones provide a food source for bird life, insects and the pollination required to grow plant species. This gives strong cause that maintaining Auckland’s Volcanic View Shafts, not creating barriers, will allow easier access for pollinators such as birds and insects. This will become increasingly important as Auckland moves towards becoming a low carbon community and reaching our own sustainability goals.

The City of Vancouver (Canada) is very similar to Auckland in many ways including its geographic topography. The City of Vancouver has a planning policy called Protecting Vancouvers Views. Within this framework, Vancouver has 27 protected view corridors, established by the City to protect the view of the North Shore mountains, the Downtown skyline, and the surrounding water.

The planning document says “Vancouver’s skyline signifies the city’s connection to nature and aligns with its goals around sustainability.” The city has used the view shaft guidelines as a key planning tool “The protected view corridors help determine the site location and design of buildings, resulting in the retention of panoramic and narrow views downtown.” More information about the Vancouver experience is available on their website http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/protecting-vancouvers-views.aspx

A Link to Auckland’s Cultural Heritage

The Volcanic View Shafts are an important Taonga (treasure) that date back to Maori occupation and war. The Volcanoes themselves provided sanctuary, but that sanctuary was only granted by the views from volcanoes stretching out towards the harbour and out across the horizon. For centuries these views kept Maori safe from invading tribes and a clear line of site to food source.

Today the Volcanic View Shafts continue to provide a sanctuary for Aucklanders. As Auckland’s population continues to grow the need to protect Auckland’s Volcanic View Shafts will become ever increasingly important as a public amenity and part of our own cultural identity. After all Auckland is a city built on volcanoes.

The City of London (UK) has implemented planning controls over the views of three landmark heritage and cultural icons; St Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument, and the Tower of London. The protected views document state these protected and enhanced views are “for the enjoyment of Londoners and those who visit London”. More information about the UK experience is available on the following websites:

https://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/planning/supplementary-planning-guidance/view-management

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/environment-and-planning/planning/heritage-and-design/Pages/protected-views.aspx

As the UK have rules to protect views associated to a built historic environment so should the history of Auckland’s Volcanoes. Auckland’s Volcanoes are a unique part of our topography which tells a story of Auckland’s wild natural history that has shaped Auckland over millions of years.

The Vancouver and London international precedence exemplify the rational for Auckland keeping the Volcanic View Shafts as they provide an important connection to Auckland’s natural and culture identity.

At this planning hearing today, I am tabling the following documents as international evidence that view shaft protection is a critical planning tool and should continue to be used in the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan:

• Height Restriction Rules as they apply to Asia, Europe and North America
• Protecting Vancouver’s Views Summary
• Protecting views, Historic Environment, City of London Summary

Keeping the Volcanic View Shafts aligns with decades of Auckland planning which provides direction on how the city is to grow. Arguably and probably more importantly, it provides direction to what Aucklanders value.

For the reasons outlined, Auckland’s Volcanic View Shaft Protection should be kept in the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Thank you for your consideration.”

 

Central Rail Line Project; get ready for the change

The Government announced last month that the Central Rail Line Project will be fast tracked to 2018. This now provides greater certainty for residents, business and property owners that change is on its way!

But, you can’t make omelettes without breaking a few eggs.

Auckland’s inner-city will face short term pains before getting significant long-term gains. For a number of property owners, they have already experienced a few eggs being broken with the purchasing of 53 buildings in preparation for the construction of Auckland’s Central Rail Line.

There are four major sites that will be under construction which include Britomart, Aotea, K’Rd and Mt Eden Station. In the years to come there will be major enabling works, moving utilities like powerlines and wastewater pipes, this will be followed by the demolition and years of construction. The reality is there will be major disruption caused by the movement of vehicles, noise and dust.

There is currently no detail available on the timeframe for works to commence and the construction programme. The Government and Auckland Council have committed to delivering a project plan latter this year. I look forward to seeing this detail and sharing with you.

With change comes opportunity, it’s not often that a community has the opportunity to re-build land acquired for development. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that has arrived on our doorstep. The inertia of uncertainty is diminishing and now is the time for residents, businesses and property owners to start leading the charge on positive change for the area.

The Central City Master Plan launched in 2012 highlighted the opportunity for Aotea Square redevelopment, K’Rd and UpTown. For example, the UpTown business district has the potential for additional housing for 19,000 people and 16,000 additional workers. You can already see transforming change occurring with new developments; the Orange Hall Development on Newton Road; SKHY Apartments on Hohipere Street and the Symonds Street Community Garden that has sprung up over the last year.

Please let me know if you have any concerns or questions about the upcoming projects. There is more information on the Auckland Transport website: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/city-rail-link/

 

Past blogs

August 2013 – Ponsonby News, Rail through the Inner-City