North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Ryman construction worries residents
Residents living near the Ryman Healthcare retirement village in Devonport are concerned about the development’s construction, a survey has found.
The Devonport Peninsula Precincts Society carried out a survey of nearby residents’ knowledge and concerns around the construction.
Janet Digby, a market researcher who worked on the survey, was part of the society group that presented its findings to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board on Tuesday, November 7.
‘‘We think there is broad community concern,’’ Digby said.
The survey, which was conducted from September 1 to October 1, both online and via door-to-door interactions, had 392 respondents.
Of those, 74 per cent said they didn’t have enough information about the construction and 71 per cent were concerned about the works.
The survey was conducted before construction began on the village on October 2, but 47 per cent of respondents said the build was already having negative impacts on them and their families before construction began.
‘‘There was considerable tension, with neighbours against neighbours, and people who have bought into the development feeling defensive and anxious and discomfort,’’ Digby said.
The 600 bed and 300 car park development is the largest on the peninsula and is expected to take three years or more.
Stipulations in Ryman’s resource consent meant the company was required to produce a newsletter every three months to households within a 1 kilometre radius of the site
Devonport Peninsula Precincts Society chair Iain Rea said that was ‘‘inadequate’’.
‘‘Public consultation isn’t a ‘nice to have’ with large private development; it’s essential, and we’re looking for council to meet this need,’’ Rea said.
The society has presented the findings to Ryman’s senior management team. Rea said he was encouraged by the response.
‘‘Ryman is not just a developer, they intend to be in the community for a long time.
‘‘So, it’s in their interest to be informing people about what’s going on, and hear their concerns.’’
A meeting between the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Ryman Healthcare is to be arranged to develop a relationship and ensure the community’s views are being considered.