Carpark sale business blow

The sale of the Anzac St carpark in central Takapuna will cut the throats of local shopkeepers and send people to malls, Auckland councillors heard yesterday morning.

Auckland Council’s planning committee is considering the sale of the 250-space carpark for a mix of residential, commercial and open space and developing a multi-level carpark about 500m away.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chairman Grant Gillon said it supported the vision of council’s Panuku Development Auckland to make the most of Takapuna’s sea and lakeside location.

But he said the community opposed the sale of the carpark — also the site of a Sunday morning market.

“The carpark is integral to the businesses of Takapuna and their livelihood. Close it down and shoppers will go to the malls and the chains.

“[It will] cut the throats of the shopkeepers of Hurstmere Rd and Takapuna,” Gillon said.

He said 1183 submissions opposed the proposal. Of the 838 in favour, 805 were lobby group Generation Zero’s.

“I wonder how many of them live on the North Shore.”

Board member George Wood said developing the Gasometer site for an alternative carpark would barely cover the existing carparks there now and the loss of spaces at Anzac Ave.