Eden Epsom recreation concept plan approved
Eden Epsom recreation precinct concept plan approved
Auckland City’s Recreation and Events Committee today approved the proposed concept plan for a recreation hub in Eden/Epsom.
The endorsement is based on recommendations
from the Eden Albert and Hobson Community Boards and
includes the following conditions:
A. That the committee
notes:
(i) its 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) its
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.
B. That the
committee endorse the concept plan for the Eden Epsom
Recreation Precinct, subject to the following:
1. Melville Park (i) The committee supports 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.
(ii) The committee does not support the installation of
lighting until this requirement is confirmed by users, and
after further consultation with nearby neighbours.
(iii) The committee does not support any alterations to
paths/planting at this stage.
2. Windmill Reserve
(i) The committee notes the changed requirements of
netball and support the provision of local netball and
tennis facilities.
(ii) The committee acknowledges the
informal use of these areas by the local community on a
large scale, as noted in the consultation results.
(iv) That at this stage the committee does not support
the reduction in the number of courts and request that
officers liaise with the interested netball organisations to
confirm their court requirements.
(v) That the
committee does not support the creation of a skateboard
facility, noting that this only achieved limited support
through the consultation process.
(vi) That the
committee does 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 committee also notes the possible
lighting of Auckland Normal Intermediate (ANI) fields, which
would likely have little or no impact on residents.
(vii) That the committee is 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.
(viii) That the committee 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.
3. Nicholson Park (i) The committee notes:
(a) 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;
(b) the valued
character of the existing Bowls building and would wish to
see this retained in any future options; and
(c) the
traffic and parking pressures on the existing roading
network and would like to see these addressed in any
proposals.
(ii) That officers further explore 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.
(iii) The committee requests that other combined uses
such as a practice hockey area be considered in order to
maximise both schools and sports use.
(iv) The
committee supports the option of community use of the
Women’s Bowls pavilion.
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.
Council officers will now produce the final concept plan, incorporating the changes agreed by both the community board and the Recreation and Events Committee. Copies will be sent to the key stakeholders and will also be available at local libraries, on the Auckland city website and displayed at the Melville Pavilion.
Developments will then be progressively programmed through the annual planning process over the next five to 10 years.