North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Priorities in the Bays identified
Research into the needs and priorities of a north Auckland region has seen the environment come out on top.
The Hibiscus and Bays Local Board allocated funds for a needs assessment in the East Coast Bays subdivision in April 2016 and welcomed the results at its September local board meeting.
Of the participants surveyed both online and in focus groups, three-quarters said the environment was an urgent or high priority.
Feedback placed emphasis on the natural heritage of the area.
People in the Bays said they loved the natural environment and wanted to see continued and increased investment in it.
‘‘It is country living, yet it is close to all the facilities we need,’’ said an Okura resident.
Some of the respondents said the Bays were friendlier and less busy than other parts of the Shore like Milford and Takapuna,
Improving transport was considered urgent for 70 per cent of online respondents. There was concern that population increases had led to serious traffic congestion problems.
The report’s key findings were that there was a strong sense of community in the Bays, people were attracted to the area because of the coastal environment, it was a safe place for children and was community-friendly, well connected and integrated.
As a result of the research, the report made several recommendations to the board including supporting initiatives to preserve and restore environmental health, reduce traffic and speed, and support older adults and newcomers to form social networks.
It also recommended looking at providing more shade, and supporting markets and events to draw people and attract different types of shops to the area.
The report aimed to identify community development needs and priorities so the board could make informed decisions about services and programmes that would meet the needs of the community.
The East Coast Bays makes up just 0.6 per cent of the Auckland region.