Nolas Housing Development
In last month’s newsletter we highlighted this issue and asked those interested to please write to their minister and councillors high- lighting issues like to traffic, schooling and train transport. To follow is the letter the Association wrote on behalf of residents and that was sent to all concerned. This has been well received and our local Minister Dr Deborah Russell has told us in person that she agrees with the points raised and will ensure that she follow it up with the right people.
“The Waiatarua Residents and Ratepayers association (WRRA) has some serious concerns in regards to the development that is pro- posed under the COVID fast tracks legislation at the Glen Eden/ Oratia Boundary (the old Nolas orchard).
Of particular concern is traffic congestion for the following reasons:
Most of our residents utilise West Coast Road to go to work, shop, visit doctors, drop off children at Oratia Primary school etc.
TheroundaboutatParrsCrossiscongestedandbadlylaidoutasit stands with many near misses on a daily basis.
We have concerns that there is no upgrade considered in this de- velopment despite a significant number of new residents and cars that will be fed on to West Coast Road.
Of particular concern is the suggestion that that the entrance to the development from West Coast road is a left in left out only, with residents then required to use the roundabout to U-turn back to the city.
We can see the logic behind this for safety reasons if there is no intention to insert another roundabout or to mount traffic lights at the entry and exit point, but as it stands this will create a build up of morning traffic in particular from those coming from the new de- velopment, using the roundabout which will mean a potential mas- sive build up of traffic coming from the west into the city.
Many of our residents currently use the train system to get to work with park and ride options available at nearby Sunnyvale and Glen Eden. Both these areas are already at capacity by 7.30am each day with travellers required to find parking nearby to the station which is already under stress. We have concerns that this development relies heavily on its residents utilising trains, and as it is, is further than the average 800m zone that most people are comfortable walking to public transport. We will as a result see added pressure on car parking around the train stations with users required to park further away or give up on public transport ad drive.
Parrs Park is the nearest urban/recreation park with almost all of
the existing facilities (basketball Courts, dog off-leash, children’s playground) at peak times. We would like to see planning in place for new facilities for our residents. To cater for the additional 800 or so residents across the road will bring additional pressure to this park.
Many of our residents’ children are in-zone for, and currently at- tend, Oratia Primary School. The large scale of this development means that there is likely to be a significant increase to roll numbers that will potentially put a lot of pressure on the resources on the school. We would like to see what plans are in place to ensure that the zoning system will not be changed and what extra resources are being considered.
Although the development itself is outside the Waitakere Heritage Area its large scale will have a flow on effect that will be impacted by the Act that governs the area For example the growth of Oratia Primary School is limited due to its protection as a “country” feel school under the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act. Can you assure us that these impacts are being considered and include us in these discussions? We have the knowledge within our Association toassistgreatlyinthedecisionmakingprocessandwanttobein- volved so that the requirements of the Act are enforced..
Insummarywebelievethattheaboveeffectsespeciallyinregards to the residents who live further out have not been fully consid- ered. There is no doubt that all residents in the area will be im- pacted by the additional pressure on infrastructure that a develop- ment of this scale will have.
We want to see a development that has been properly planned for and assurance that these impacts are fully considered and adequate funding is available to support the existing as well as the new resi- dents.
Rita Steel, our Environmental Lead and Tom Hoey (WRRA President) are available to meet with you and discuss the content of this letter. You can contact Tom on the number below or email
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