MEDIA RELEASE

17 June 2004

Proposed concept presented for recreation precinct

The Eden Albert and Hobson Community Boards yesterday considered a proposed concept plan for a recreation hub in Eden/Epsom.

The plan brings together information and knowledge gathered over the past three years and takes into account the input received from the consultation and surveys carried out over this period.

The chairperson of Auckland City's Recreation and Events Committee, Councillor Scott Milne, says the concept plan will be well received by the local community.

"This has been a demanding project with a wide range of inputs. I was delighted that both community boards unanimously agreed that the process had been one of "extensive consultation, undertaken by officers with a wide range of tools used and in a professional manner', particularly since a fair campaign based on misinformation caused much angst in the community.

"The results of the consultation and the expertise of designers and council officers means we have a solid, well-accepted concept to take us forward over the next 10 years. It retains open space and will maximise the use of existing assets. The plan also gives clear direction to officers to explore specific areas where the combined boards felt that further progress could be made. For example, the provision of an all weather practice hockey area and possible installation of training lights at the Mt Eden Women's Bowling Club facility which is due to close next year.

"All elements will require further public consultation before implementation", says Mr Milne.

The project was initiated in 2001 after some clubs already located on North Nicholson Park began planning for a sports facility development on the reserve. Auckland City wanted any developments to be considered in the context of the wider recreation area rather than occurring in isolation.

The Eden Epsom recreation area comprises three local parks - Windmill Park, Melville Park and Nicholson Park. Open space areas around the Auckland College of Education, Auckland Normal Intermediate School and Kohia Terrace Primary School are also taken into consideration.

Some key features that appear in the proposed concept plan include:

- Nicholson North reserve - a new park entrance on Poronui Street and new pedestrian path connecting Poronui Street and Epsom Avenue

- Nicholson South reserve - an upgrade to Poronui Street playground, landscaping and planting adjacent to the women's bowling club area to be vacated in 2005 and locating of new seats to make the most of westerly views

- Windmill Park - retaining tennis/netball courts, removing the building at the eastern end (after Auckland Netball relocates). The pine trees will be progressively removed and replaced over time

- Melville Park - retaining the focus on women's sport and junior sport.

The provision of a large dual-sport or multi-sport facility anywhere in the precinct does not form part of the concept plan, though the option remains for the clubs on North Nicholson to develop their facilities in the future.

The concept plan, with the recommendations from the joint community boards, will go to the Recreation and Events Committee August meeting for ratification on the final concept plan. Developments will then be progressively programmed through the annual planning process over the next five to 10 years.

Ends

- Following are the resolutions from the joint community boards meeting.

MINUTES OF AN EXTRAORDINARY JOINT MEETING OF THE

EDEN/ALBERT AND HOBSON COMMUNITY BOARDS

HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 16 JUNE 2004 AT 6.00 PM

PRESENT: Mr A Bhatnagar

Cr W Cairns

Mrs J Chambers

Mrs V Chong

Mr T Churton [Chairman]

Ms G Dance

Ms W Davies

Mr C Diack

Cr M Donnelly

Cr GJ Fryer

Mr P Harrop, ONZM, JP

Cr S Milne, JP

Mr A Niven

Mr D Poon, JP

___________________________________________

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Hobson Ward Manager, Jonathan Anyon, called for nominations, of which there was one. There being no further nominations, Troy Churton was declared chairman for this meeting.

2. APOLOGIES

Moved: Churton/Chong

That the apologies of Councillors Carter and McKeown and Board Members Dorreen and Leuschke be accepted.

CARRIED

3. PUBLIC FORUM

Presentations were made by Bettina Latham on behalf of the Eden Epsom Residents Association, Tom Rabone and Mark Sayes, Vice President of Eden Epsom Tennis & Squash.

The Chairman also read out correspondence from the Director, Auckland Catholic Netball Association.

[ATTACHMENT 3]

Moved: Churton/Dance

That Bettina Latham be thanked for their presentations.

CARRIED

Moved: Churton/Poon

That Tom Rabone be thanked for their presentations.

CARRIED

Moved: Churton/Donnelly

That Mark Sayes be thanked for their presentations.

CARRIED

4. EDEN EPSOM RECREATION PRECINCT CONCEPT PLAN

Moved: Donnelly/Cairns

A. That the report of Karen Eisenhut, Leisure Planner, Community Planning dated 4 June 2004 be received.

B. That the Boards note:

(i) their appreciation of the work undertaken by both staff and consultants, and the many sporting bodies and local sports clubs who have contributed to the Eden Epsom recreation precinct project;

(ii) the joint research funded by the Mt Eden Tennis and Mt Eden Bowling Clubs, in the City Design report of 2001 which investigated the recreational needs within the area;

(iii) their appreciation of the extensive consultation undertaken by officers, and the wide range of tools used, and the professional manner in which this was undertaken by council staff; and

(iv) the positive comments supporting the process by the external review consultants.

C. That the Boards in general support the concepts and recommend them to the Recreation & Events Committee, subject to the following:

I. Melville Park

(a) The Boards support the retention of the wickets and the use by junior sports and requests that officers work with appropriate interested sports groups to identify and confirm their needs.

(b) The Boards do not support the installation of lighting until this requirement is confirmed by users, and after further consultation with nearby neighbours.

(c) The Boards do not support any alterations to paths/planting at this stage.

II. Windmill Reserve

(a) The Boards note the changed requirements of netball and support the provision of local netball and tennis facilities.

(b) The Boards also acknowledge the large scale existing informal use of these areas by the local community, as noted in the consultation results.

(c) In view of the above and other issues outlined in the report of the Leisure Planner dated 4 June 2004, the Boards recommend the following:

(i) At this stage the Boards do not support the reduction in the number of courts and request that officers liaise with the interested netball organisations to confirm their court requirements.

(ii) The Boards do not support the creation of a skateboard facility, noting that this only achieved limited support through the consultation process, and noting the existing use of ANI facilities.

(iii) The Boards do not support the need for drainage and lighting of the Oval. While wishing to support local sport, no organised group has been identified that would require lighting of the Oval. The Board also notes the possible lighting of ANI fields, which would likely have little or no impact on residents.

(iv) The Boards are not yet in the position of being able to support the removal of any netball/tennis courts as proposed and putting additional basketball facilities, or linkages to Disraeli Street, until arrangements have been made for the ongoing netball requirements.

(v) The Boards request that before any planting plans are done for replacing the ageing pines on Windmill Reserve, that use of the upper level area and impacts of shading of the court areas are considered and reported to the Hobson Community Board for approval.

III. Nicholson Park

(a) The Boards note:

(i) the need to maintain the viability of the Mt Eden Bowling and Mt Eden Tennis Clubs, and note that they may need to be able to redevelop their facilities in the future;

(ii) the valued character of the existing Bowls building and would wish to see this retained in any future options; and

(iii) the traffic and parking pressures on the existing roading network and would like to see these addressed in any proposals.

(b) In particular the Boards recommend:

(i) That officers explore further the option of utilising the relinquished Women's bowling area, in conjunction with ANI, but request that this be done along with the option of great community access to the ANI sports fields, and possible installation of training lights. The Boards also request that other combined uses such as a practice hockey area be considered in order to maximise both schools and sports use.

(ii) The Boards support the option of community use of the Mt Eden Women's Bowls pavilion.

Councillor Fryer foreshadowed an amendment to resolution C, seconded Board Member Davies.

The Chairman put the following motion:

A. That the report of Karen Eisenhut, Leisure Planner, Community Planning dated 4 June 2004 be received.

B. That the Boards note:

(i) their appreciation of the work undertaken by both staff and consultants, and the many sporting bodies and local sports clubs who have contributed to the Eden Epsom recreation precinct project;

(ii) the joint research funded by the Mt Eden Tennis and Mt Eden Bowling Clubs, in the City Design report of 2001 which investigated the recreational needs within the area;

(iii) their appreciation of the extensive consultation undertaken by officers, and the wide range of tools used, and the professional manner in which this was undertaken by council staff; and

(iv) the positive comments supporting the process by the external review consultants.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Fryer moved the following amendment to resolution C, seconded Board Member Davies:

That the Boards recommend the proposed concept plan for the Eden Epsom Recreation Precinct go out for community consultation.

A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

For the Motion: Against the Motion:

Cr G Fryer

Mrs V Chong

Ms G Dance

Ms W Davies

Mr D Poon

Cr M Donnelly

Mr P Harrop

Mr A Niven

Cr S Milne

Cr W Cairns

Mr C Diack

Mrs J Chambers

Mr A Bhatnagar

Mr T Churton

The motion was declared LOST by 5 votes to 9.

The Chairman advised he would be putting the motions for each park separately:

C. That the Boards in general support the concepts and recommend them to the Recreation & Events Committee, subject to the following:

I. Melville Park

(a) The Boards support the retention of the wickets and the use by junior sports and request that officers work with appropriate interested sports groups to identify and confirm their needs.

(b) The Boards do not support the installation of lighting until this requirement is confirmed by users, and after further consultation with nearby neighbours.

(ic) The Boards do not support any alterations to paths/planting at this stage.

A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

For the Motion: Against the Motion:

Cr S Milne

Cr W Cairns

Mr C Diack

Mrs J Chambers

Mr A Bhatnagar

Mr A Niven

Mr P Harrop

Cr M Donnelly

Mr T Churton

The motion was declared CARRIED. There were five abstentions as follows:

Cr G Fryer

Ms W Davies

Ms G Dance

Mrs V Chong

Mr D Poon

II. Windmill Reserve

(a) The Boards note the changed requirements of netball and support the provision of local netball and tennis facilities.

(b) The Boards also acknowledge the large scale existing informal use of these areas by the local community, as noted in the consultation results.

(c) In view of the above and other issues outlined in the report of the Leisure Planner dated 4 June 2004, the Boards recommend the following:

(i) At this stage the Boards do not support the reduction in the number of courts and request that officers liaise with the interested netball organisations to confirm their court requirements.

(ii) The Boards do not support the creation of a skateboard facility, noting that this only achieved limited support through the consultation process, and noting the existing use of ANI facilities.

(ii) The Boards do not support the need for drainage and lighting of the Oval. While wishing to support local sport, no organised group has been identified that would require lighting of the Oval. The Board also notes the possible lighting of ANI fields, which would likely have little or no impact on residents.

(iv) The Boards are not yet in the position of being able to support the removal of any netball/tennis courts as proposed and putting additional basketball facilities, or linkages to Disraeli Street, until arrangements have been made for the ongoing netball requirements.

(v) The Boards request that before any planting plans are done for replacing the ageing pines on Windmill Reserve, that use of the upper level area and impacts of shading of the court areas are considered and reported to the Hobson Community Board for approval.

A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

For the Motion: Against the Motion:

Cr S Milne

Cr W Cairns

Mr C Diack

Mrs J Chambers

Mr A Bhatnagar

Mr A Niven

Mr P Harrop

Cr M Donnelly

Mr T Churton

The motion was declared CARRIED. There were five absentions as follows:

Cr G Fryer

Ms W Davies

Ms G Dance

Mrs V Chong

Mr D Poon

III. Nicholson Park

(a) The Boards note:

(i) the need to maintain the viability of the Bowls and Tennis Clubs, and note that they may need to be able to redevelop their facilities in the future;

(ii) the valued character of the existing Bowls building and would wish to see this retained in any future options; and

(iii) the traffic and parking pressures on the existing roading network and would like to see these addressed in any proposals.

(b) In particular the Boards recommend:

(i) That officers explore further the option of utilising the relinquished Women's bowling area, in conjunction with ANI, but request that this be done along with the option of great community access to the ANI sports fields, and possible installation of training lights. The Boards also request that other combined uses such as a practice hockey area be considered in order to maximise both schools and sports use.

(ii) The Boards support the option of community use of the Women's Bowls pavilion.

A division was called for, voting on which was as follows:

For the Motion: Against the Motion:

Mr D Poon

Mr S Milne

Cr W Cairns

Mr C Diack

Mrs J Chambers

Mr A Bhatnagar

Mr A Niven

Mr P Harrop

Cr M Donnelly

Mr T Churton

The motion was declared CARRIED. There were four abstentions as follows:

Cr G Fryer

Ms W Davies

Ms G Dance

Mrs V Chong

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 7.25 pm

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