North Shore Times (New Zealand)

Anzac St car park: to sell or not to sell?

-

NEIGHBOURL­Y DISCUSSION

A councillor describes it as a ‘‘field of dreams’’ but there’s strong community opposition to council plans to sell off a public car park in central Takapuna. Auckland Council’s developmen­t arm, Panuku, is consulting on its proposed sale of the 250-space Anzac Street Car Park, after an 8500-strong petition forced it to hold off on its plans.

Many people would like the land to stay entirely in public ownership and be developed into some useful public space. Others have supported the idea to sell the car park for a new mixed-use developmen­t with green space incorporat­ed into the design. So what do residents think about the future of the space?

SHOULD THE ANZAC ST CAR PARK BE SOLD?

Lyndsay Brock from Devonport: I’m completely opposed to the sale of the car park. A special rate was levied on central Takapuna addresses and the entire purchase price (plus interest) was paid by these local people, because they know how important access is for the economic viability of the business centre. They paid in good faith and for it to be sold out from under them would be a real injustice. Also, there is already a dire shortage of parking for the shopping centre, proven by the number of cars clogging residentia­l streets for a good kilometre around. A large percentage of the gasometer site’s 450 parks will be earmarked for developmen­ts, so that won’t appreciabl­y increase spaces for public use. As far as I’m concerned, both the existing car park AND the gasometer site will be needed to ensure future success of the retail centre.

Margie Hart from Takapuna: It is far too valuable a piece of land to be left for a car park. They are going to turn the gasometer site into 450 new carparks before they develop the Anzac St sure! And the market would be great in Hurstmere Road.

Just as accessible and even shelter for wet days...I go every week. Let’s have some progress!

George Vodanovich from Devonport: I wonder if there’s been any documented research into the effects the residentia­l block will have on local bars. If I remember correctly, one of the best all-ages live music bars in Auckland, the Temple on Queen Street, was closed down due to noise complaints from residents in the newly built developmen­t behind it. I could be wrong. It was a very sad day for local music. Can’t see any mention in the docs provided by Panuku.

Ronnie Richardson from Campbells Bay: They need to develop it like Aotea Square with undergroun­d car park and public open space on top. The business owners of Takapuna paid for this land with extra levies on their rates for years. If the Council now gets rid of the parking who is going to bother shopping in Hurstmere Road.

Ludwig Jeppe from Albany: They are not thinking of accessing the new developmen­t. Let’s say there is only new public spaces created where would the patrons park seeing as the parking is gone. And there is a massive shortage of parking in Takapuna already. I have only visited those businesses once in the last year due to that issue. I’m fully against it.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, suburb and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspond­ence. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.

 ?? TOM DILLANE/FAIRFAX NZ ?? Anzac Street Car Park in Takapuna has been earmarked for potential redevelopm­ent.
TOM DILLANE/FAIRFAX NZ Anzac Street Car Park in Takapuna has been earmarked for potential redevelopm­ent.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand