Local residents have voiced strong concerns about a contentious east Auckland housing development at a public meeting on the issue.
Several hundred people turned out to a recent meeting at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club about a proposed development that will see HND HMB Ltd build 87 units on a 1.4-hectare site near Half Moon Bay Marina.
The property at 3 Pigeon Mountain Road is currently occupied by the Stand Tu Maia (Stand for Children) charity, which plans to relocate to Manukau.
The property borders Ara-Tai Road and Compass Point Way. The development will have a single access point, off Compass Point Way.
The development’s resource consent application is publicly notified so anyone who wants to share their view on it with Auckland Council can do so.
Following presentations at the public meeting from the leaders of several local residents’ associations and Howick ward councillor Maurice Williamson, audience members had the chance to ask questions and make statements.
One man raised concerns relating to the large number of boaties who use Half Moon Bay Marina and the impact that has on local roads.
“I’ve lived here for 32 years and seeing the increase in traffic over that time is phenomenal.
“About a third of Auckland drag their boats over here on a good day and it’s getting radically worse each year.
“The amount of congestion with boats and trailer parking etcetera, that’s going to get worse not better.
“This [development] here in amongst that, you’ll get – I’ve seen it – total jammed up streets with what’s going to happen.”
A second audience member asked how, given the strength of opposition to the development in its current form from the local community, the process got to such an advanced stage.
Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, who chaired the meeting, responded by saying: “Everyone’s got a right to put forward a resource consent application.
“If they wish to go and have that publicly notified, they are paying the cost of that and taking the risk.
“You are entitled to do that. The council can’t stop them from putting forward a publicly notified thing if that’s what they want to do.”
Another audience member asked the meeting’s organisers what their ideal of number of houses on the site would be.
Allan Sargeant, deputy chairperson of Compass Point Way Residents Association, replied that another developer who was interested in the property was considering building 20 to 24 houses on it.
“That’s probably more in keeping with the area,” he said.
An audience member who said he’s an engineer raised the issue of the area’s wastewater network.
He said most of it was built from the 1960s onward and “predicated on one, maybe two dwellings per section”.
“We’re already seeing now untreated sewerage outflows at times of heavy rain, due to infiltration, in the estuary.
“This intensity, I would image Watercare would do a pretty thorough investigation as to whether the current wastewater network is capable of receiving this load in addition to all the other load that’s going into it from other developments in the area.”
The developer previously told the Times they appreciate the community’s concerns about how many units are planned for the site.
“With our site being 1.4 hectares, we’ve thoughtfully designed the development to align with the goals of the Mixed Housing Suburban Zone, as outlined by the Auckland Unitary Plan.
“Our proposal includes a variety of housing types and sizes, ensuring a diverse community that can accommodate different needs.”
They say they also understand concerns about increased traffic and parking in the area.
“Each unit is designed to include one or two parking spaces, depending on its size, to help ease congestion.
“We’ve worked with traffic engineers to thoroughly assess the project’s impact on safety and ensure it meets all necessary standards.
“Our goal is to create a harmonious environment that prioritises the well-being of all residents.”
People have until November 11 to submit their view on the development’s resource consent application and they can do so online here.
