Fort Takapuna Barracks restoration ready for action

The Auckland Council and the Devonport Takapuna Local Board have completed a project begun in 2014 restoring the two remaining army barracks buildings that date from the outbreak of WW2 in 1939. The Narrowneck site has a long military and naval history dating back to the Russian scare in the 1800s. The buildings are similar but not identical in layout with large open former dormitories and numerous smaller rooms which would have been for more senior ranks. Matthews and Matthews Architects were commissioned to write the conservation plan, which we have made some excerpts from. The renovations have seen all the exterior woodwork stripped and repainted, rotten parts including  some of the rimu flooring replaced, windows repaired andl owered internal ceiling linings removed to show the trusses as they would have been when the buildings were new. You can read more about it here

Fort Takapuna barracks interior

The restored barracks including the small meeting spaces should be available to book for community use soon via the Councils Venues for Hire page on their website.

Stop Stealing Our Harbour

Ports of Auckland is about to start adding 2 finger wharfs to Bledisloe Wharf, projecting nearly 100m into the Waitemata Harbour.

Construction starts April 2015. 

Resource consents for the wharf extensions were issued secretly and without any public notification or public consultation by Auckland Council. 

The extensions will completely block the Queens wharf view of the outer Waitamata Harbour and it will mean we spent $40 million to look at a wharf car park and some big bulk cargo ships. 

The Waitemata Harbour and its views are one of Auckland’s greatest assets, one we hold in trust for future generations. Ports of Auckland are stealing it bit by bit.

Don't let the Ports of Auckland give two fingers to the people!

stopstealingourharbour@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/StopStealingOurHarbour
Instagram: stopstealingourharbour

Auckland Council Proposed Unitary Plan

Devonport Heritage have made a submission to the Proposed Unitary Plan.

Hearings commenced at the end of 2014 and are continuing until mid-2016 when the independant hearing commissioners will present their recommendations to Auckland Council. Council will then meet to decide whether to adopt the commisioners recommendations. From time to time we will invite members to come along and support committee members during the hearings. Hearings take place at 205 Queen Street, which is on the corner with Victoria Street.

here's a summary of our submission   https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Cwk78od_eCMVRDeE83LVdnZ2c/view?usp=sharing