I guess that’s what happens when the words ‘progress’ and ‘development’ are thrown into a discussion about the new Unitary Plan for Auckland City and how to retain the character of this very special village I live in.
St. Heliers Bay is unique in that it’s one of the last remaining seaside villages in the greater Auckland City ... and it really is a village ... in every sense of that word. There are a lot of folk who’ve lived here all their lives and they don’t want to see change. Change is necessary though but it has to be implemented in an ethical and acceptable fashion.
Our village High Street is a landmark all on it’s own and to allow it to be dominated by 4-storey buildings even if each level is off-set is totally unacceptable. I think the Deputy Mayor and the City Planner will have left the meeting with no doubt in their minds as to the villagers views on the maximum height any future building should be, both on the High Street and the seafront. Locals don’t want any more ugly high rise buildings that block out views and spoil the overall character of the village.
It’s not just the height of the buildings. Traffic congestion is already a problem and let’s not get started on the parking .... suffice to say it’s atrocious.
Sadly though it could be another 3 or more years before this whole unitary plan is implemented. It’s only in draft form and a draft plan, as anyone knows, can end up being very different when finalised. My concern is what might happen in the intervening years BEFORE this plan becomes part of the Statute.
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| Paddle board reflections |
Regardless of that though, feedback from residents is crucial .... written feedback .... and it behoves all of us who love this village we live in to MAKE the time to submit our suggestions to the Feedback Team. Loud voices at meetings are NOT enough.
I’m the eternal optimist and I believe if enough of us make the effort to document our suggestions and objections, the powers that be will HAVE to listen.
It was certainly an entertaining evening!
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| Amy .... she's gorgeous! |
Daylight saving ended on Sunday so our clocks went back to normal ... Yay! Those dark mornings are a thing of the past for the next few weeks. My fingerless gloves have made their usual winter appearance as despite the glorious days we’ve been having, there’s a definite nip in that early morning air.
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| Even Sam has manic moments! |
Our ramble yesterday was brief, as I was working, but Sam managed to get Carol ... and her bruised and battered bottom ... to the beach early enough to have playtime with his mate. Only problem was, when it came to us going home and Sam continuing down the beach with Carol, the hounds wouldn’t swop balls! We ended up taking the Chiefs ball home and Sam took the Saffer ball down the beach with him.
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| Serenading Sam |
He was hugely confused this morning then when Chocolat came dashing up to him with the Chiefs ball in her mouth and DIDN’T drop it. It took him a few minutes to work out that he already HAD the Saffer ball and no way was she giving him what she considers to be HER Chiefs ball. That’s when the dumb Aussie in him comes to the fore ... but only briefly.
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| Look at Sam's face .... she's kicking sand all over him! |
Moments like this are priceless and especially when they happen on a glorious Autumn morning. We sit on the steps and drink our coffee whilst the hounds dig trenches in the sand for their balls.
Life just couldn't be better!
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| Don't know what this little fellow thought I had to eat. |
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| Double trouble! |
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| Nico, fraternising with the ladies .... he does this so well! |
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| They have the WHOLE beach to dig their tenches on, but nope, they have to dig them right in front of the stairs. |
