Join us on Monday 17 August at the Tupuna Maunga Authority
Spokesperson McRae
JOIN US ON MONDAY AT THE TUPUNA MAUNGA AUTHORITY
On Monday 17 August we have been granted speaking rights at a Tupuna Maunga Authority (TMA) meeting to express our concerns for the terrible impacts Peninsula Capital’s development will have on Takarunga/Mt Vic.
The Authority has indicated it is against any infringements of the Height Sensitive Overlay which aims to protect the views and connection to the maunga.
We are going to their board meeting to show our support for this position and to urge them to stand firm against the scale of the proposal.
Unlike local groups the TMA will be able to present to the Panel so it is critical to ensuring that a strong opposition opinion is heard.
We will make a short presentation with visuals to show the impact of the plans.
Join us and our red balloons for the 1.15 ferry from Devonport on Monday 17 August. We will walk up Queen Street to the Auckland Town Hall for the 2pm meeting.
The more of us the better to show the depth of feeling there is in Devonport against the Fast Track proposal.
Simon Watts
Simon Watts eventually agreed to meet me a week ago and I told him the Peninsula Capital proposal is too small to justify being Fast Tracked. I urged him and Chris Bishop to ensure that Devonport Heritage is invited to comment on the proposal When Peninsula bought the properties director Mark Hiddleston reached out saying they wanted to work with our group as they consider us a ‘key stakeholder’.
Emails from him clearly demonstrate they viewed our group as important local stakeholders; therefore, we should be invited to be included in the panel process.
Mr Watts was non-committal but told me many people he’s heard from support the proposal! Meanwhile, a video interview with Mark Hiddleston for The NZ Herald shows that after 3,538 views it had received only 43 Likes.
Last week Mr Watts was appointed Minister for Building and Construction. He is also the Minister for Local Government and the Minister for Auckland.
We don’t know where the proposal system is in the Fast Track system – after all if Peninsula Capital had its way their proposal would still be secret.
Our strategy is to continue to say the proposal should not be fast tracked but if it is, then Devonport Heritage should be invited to take part in the process as a local stakeholder and long-standing community group. The Minister and the Panel both have the power to invite organisations.
So too does Peninsula Capital and this week I wrote to them requesting that if it is referred, they invite us to comment. I haven’t received a reply yet …..
Support / Donations
Local artist Grant Alexander has generously donated one of his latest art works for an auction with the proceeds going to Devonport Heritage.
His exhibition has just opened at Satellite Gallery and the “Eh eye slop’” banner is in the window. You can make an offer at a live auction inside.
Thank you also to Josephine Cliffe who is donating half of the proceeds from the sale of her heritage inspired greeting cards to Devonport Heritage for a month.
Support / Signage
Our signs promoting four not eight storeys are going up around Devonport.
If you would like one, please contact Suzanne on suzstick@gmail.com