Media Release
12 February 2013

Public Invited To Discuss Future Of Devonport Site

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will host a public meeting on February 27 to seek the local community’s views on the future of 27 Lake Road, Devonport, at the adjacent Dacre Park football clubrooms.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board chairman, Chris Darby, says the 12,600 sq m2 property is one of several being considered for possible sale, in full or in part, by Auckland Council.

Councillors will decide the future of the site in coming months.

“This is an important issue for the Devonport community,” says Mr Darby. “Our residents want to know what’s happening, and they should have their say.

“We want to hear people’s views on what should happen with this land, and we will make sure the council considers the community’s perspective.”

The engagement meeting will allow locals to hear from council officers about various issues with the land. Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions and voice their opinions.

There will be a walking site visit of 27 Lake Road, directly before the meeting, leaving from outside the clubrooms at 6pm. The meeting proper will start at 6.30 pm inside the clubrooms.

Further public consultation activities, including a web-based survey of the community, are planned. Details will be released in coming weeks.

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Q&A

What is the land at 27 Lake Road?

27 Lake Rd, Devonport, is a property owned by Auckland Council.

It consists of two lots. One is zoned Business 9, the other is partly zoned Business 9 and partly Recreational 2.

At present, the land is used for a variety of purposes, including a recycling centre/refuse transfer station, a timber merchant/garden centre, the site of the Clay Store (used by a community group) and a bus depot. 27 Lake Road is “U” shaped; the land in the centre of the “U” is in separate title and held privately.

(See map attached to this document for the boundaries of the property.)

What is happening with the land?

Auckland Council has instructed Auckland Council Property Limited (ACPL), the council-controlled organisation responsible for managing, acquiring and disposing of property on behalf of Auckland Council, to review its portfolio and identify potential non-service properties for sale. This is to ensure that Auckland Council’s land holdings meet Auckland’s needs and Auckland Council’s strategic objectives. 27 Lake Road is one of a number of non-service properties that ACPL is reviewing and considering recommending for sale. No decisions on the future of this land have been made.

Has the land been sold?

No. No decision has been made on whether to sell the land.

Who will make the decision?

Auckland Council’s Strategy and Finance Committee will consider this issue in the coming months, likely in April. The councillors on this committee will make a decision on what to do with the land. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board does not decide whether or not to sell this land. Where a decision is made to sell, the land would be prepared for sale. This could take at least a year, and may include components such as resource consents, subdivision and de-contamination.

What is the role of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and why is it holding this engagement meeting?

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s role is to engage with, and advocate for, its community on council decisions such as this. The board thinks it is important that people have their say on this issue, and has committed to ensure that the community’s views are considered by ACPL and councillors. This is why the board is leading this public engagement.

What action has the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board taken thus far?

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board discussed this issue at its meeting in December, when it:
• expressed its concern that the land was being prepared for sale without public engagement;
• recommended that no decision on the future of the land be made until assessments of the site were undertaken and the community consulted;
• asked ACPL to undertake a use and needs analysis to identify potential community, recreational and commercial benefits of the site;
• requested that ACPL prepare a development master plan for the site;
• recommended that ACPL ensure the future of the Clay Store is protected and asked that any potential contaminated land issues be carefully investigated;
• asked ACPL to ensure that any potential uses of the land do not significantly add to traffic congestion on Lake Road;
• noted that it would like a modern resource recovery centre to be established at the site.

Will the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board undertake any other public engagement on this?

Yes, other engagement activities will be undertaken to ensure people can have their say. This will include a web-based survey of the community. Further details will be made public in the coming weeks. People are also encouraged to speak to their local board members at the regular Community Corner clinics.

ENDS

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