Roskill Community Voice

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Media Statement: Locals & Planner agree: Decline Pah Rd Warehouse application

“The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” on Pah Rd is ill-considered, and locals are rightly voicing their strong concern.  It is heartening to see the official Council report also recommends it be declined,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
The Hearing Agenda for the resource consent was released on Monday 7th February, with Auckland Council’s planning consultant recommending that the application be declined, and almost universal opposition from submitters.
Of the 23 submissions, 21 oppose the application, while the remaining 2 are neutral.  Those submitting against include the James Wallace Arts Trust, the Onehunga Business Association, and the Parks, Sport and Recreation department of the Auckland Council.  All local residents who submitted on the proposal indicated they opposed it. 
“Objections raised by locals include concerns about traffic, noise, inadequate parking, vegetation and flooding risk.  The proposal breaches a number of existing planning documents, and is out of character with the neighbourhood.  It seems likely that the proposal would have a negative impact not only for local residents but also for those who use Seymour Park as well as nearby shopping centres at Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
“Residents who have talked to us have spoken of existing problems with parking, traffic, noise and poor planning in the area.  They wish to have these issues resolved, not exacerbated by the incompatible arrival of a ‘big box’ retail development in their neighbourhood,” says Fairey.
“We are aware that many other locals oppose this development but missed out on an opportunity to submit to the resource consent process.  We hope they will take the opportunity to sign the petition circulating, and we aim to assist them to have their voice heard.  Given the planner’s recommendation and the high level of local opposition, the independent commissioners must decline this application,” says Wood.

The Council officers’ report can be read on the Auckland Council website here.

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Media Statement: Locals & Planner agree: Decline Pah Rd Warehouse application

“The proposal to build a “The Warehouse” on Pah Rd is ill-considered, and locals are rightly voicing their strong concern.  It is heartening to see the official Council report also recommends it be declined,” says Julie Fairey, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
The Hearing Agenda for the resource consent was released on Monday 7th February, with Auckland Council’s planning consultant recommending that the application be declined, and almost universal opposition from submitters.
Of the 23 submissions, 21 oppose the application, while the remaining 2 are neutral.  Those submitting against include the James Wallace Arts Trust, the Onehunga Business Association, and the Parks, Sport and Recreation department of the Auckland Council.  All local residents who submitted on the proposal indicated they opposed it. 
“Objections raised by locals include concerns about traffic, noise, inadequate parking, vegetation and flooding risk.  The proposal breaches a number of existing planning documents, and is out of character with the neighbourhood.  It seems likely that the proposal would have a negative impact not only for local residents but also for those who use Seymour Park as well as nearby shopping centres at Royal Oak, Three Kings and Onehunga,” says Michael Wood, Roskill Community Voice member on the Puketapapa Local Board.
“Residents who have talked to us have spoken of existing problems with parking, traffic, noise and poor planning in the area.  They wish to have these issues resolved, not exacerbated by the incompatible arrival of a ‘big box’ retail development in their neighbourhood,” says Fairey.
“We are aware that many other locals oppose this development but missed out on an opportunity to submit to the resource consent process.  We hope they will take the opportunity to sign the petition circulating, and we aim to assist them to have their voice heard.  Given the planner’s recommendation and the high level of local opposition, the independent commissioners must decline this application,” says Wood.

The Council officers’ report can be read on the Auckland Council website here.

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Media statement: Support for free swimming pools

“Mayor Len Brown’s proposal to investigate the provision of free swimming pools across Auckland is a great idea and elected Councillors and Local Board Members should at the very least be open minded about the idea, rather than writing it off before a report has been produced”, says Julie Fairey, a Roskill Community Voice member of the Puketapapa Local Board.

“The Mayor’s policy on free pools was a centre-piece of his campaign and was widely understood by Aucklanders when they elected him to office. It is concerning that some Councillors are suggesting that the Mayor should not proceed with a proposal that he was elected to implement”, continues Fairey.

“Obviously the proposal needs to be carefully looked at first and that is why a feasibility study has been set up to look at the issues and the costs. Implementation of the policy will no doubt have some complexities, and it will cost. However, it is important that we invest in facilities that give our young people access to safe and healthy recreation opportunities”.

“Free universal provision of services like public libraries is a part of the landscape, and is part of living in a civilised community. There are comparable benefits in providing free access to public pools and we commend the Mayor for taking action on this issue”, concludes Fairey.

ENDS

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Media Statement: Monte Cecilia School first on agenda

“The election of two Roskill Community Voice Members on to the Puketapapa Local Board has brought the fate of Monte Cecilia School to the top of the local political agenda,” says Roskill Community Voice member of the Puketapapa Local Board Michael Wood.

“We campaigned hard on this issue and now we have made it our first order of business. We have called for an extraordinary meeting of the Board on Tuesday 9 November, at which a motion will be put urging the Council to review the current proposal to uproot Monte Cecilia School, and to consider other more cost effective options to re-locate the school within the park,” says Wood.

“The local community remains furious about the way they have been treated, with consultation throughout the process being farcical. More broadly, Aucklanders are concerned about the massive unfunded cost of this pet project. Cost estimates of between $50 – $100 million mean that ratepayers from around the region will be stung, and there will also be less money available for other open space projects across Auckland.”

“It is our hope that a new Council and a new Board can look at the whole project with fresh eyes, and arrive at a win-win solution that meets the needs of all parties, and saves Auckland ratepayers tens of millions of dollars. We are discussing the issue with elected members across party lines and believe that a reasonable compromise can be agreed upon,” continues Wood.

“Our motion at the first business meeting of the Puketapapa Board is a moderate one that simply seeks to open the books on the current proposal and to look at the options. We strongly hope that the Board supports this reasonable approach and that it can be the start of a process that heals the rifts created by the Monte Cecilia project,” concludes Wood.

ENDS

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Media Statement: Roskill Community Voice straight to work

“The election of two Roskill Community Voice candidates to the Puketapapa Local Board represents an historic shift away from C&R dominance in Mt Roskill. We intend to use our two Board positions to speak up loudly on behalf of our community”, says newly elected Board member Michael Wood.

“Our ticket was formed just six months ago, so to win two positions on the Board is a real achievement, and a testament to the hard work of our whole team of candidates and supporters. We would also like to thank the people of Mt Roskill for putting their trust in us. We will work hard on the issues we were elected on”, says newly elected Board member Julie Fairey

“First off the blocks we will be taking the fight up for the Monte Cecilia School community. We campaigned to take all lawful steps to stop the wasteful and shameful forced eviction of the school, and that is what we will now do. There is a new Council and a new Board and we are confident that a solution can be found that maintains the school on the site while meeting the objectives of other parties. We will be taking steps on this issue within a week”, continues Wood

“We will be fighting hard on many other issues too, including the spread of unwanted bottle shops, improved access to early childhood education, and ensuring that our community gets a fair share of the Supercity cake”, says Fairey

“We will be pro-active Board members who will actively campaign on the issues that matter. We will also be constructive where we can, and plan to discuss a number of matters with our C&R colleagues over the coming weeks. We want all residents to be actively engaged in the new Board and encourage them to contact us with any issues”, concludes Wood.

ENDS