Lower petrol prices for Manurewa and Papakura residents

Residents in Manurewa and Papakura have enjoyed paying at least 4 cents less a for a litre of petrol than our fellow Aucklanders throughout the year. This is because there is an agglomeration of petrol companies on Great South Road which has produced a strong competitive environment. Price competition between these 3 companies is fierce.  Generally when one puts its price down the rest will follow in order to maintain its market share.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
One of three petrol stations offering Manurewa and Papakura residents lower prices.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
One of three petrol stations offering Manurewa and Papakura residents lower prices.
You can also save a further 4cents of every litre if you have a fuel docket from a progressive enterprise supermarket meaning you'll only be paying under $2 for a litre of 91 fuel here.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
One of three petrol stations offering Manurewa and Papakura residents lower prices.

As an avid user of these petrol stations I can say that there have been days when the companies have run prices significantly lower for a few hours to encourage motorist to fill up. What I find interesting is the fact that the fuel prices we pay per litre is constantly 3-4cents lowers then the average prices around Auckland. Petrol companies always comment about how their margins are extremely small and they have little ‘wiggle room’ to accommodate for lower prices. Yet our local petrol companies have proven that there is ‘wiggle room’ and they are able to rapidly respond to any price changes. What is the difference between our local petrol stations and those around Auckland? I cannot think of very many differences, in fact they are run by the same major companies that provide fuel to New Zealand, have excellence service and still offer the same petrol. The major difference is the number of petrol stations located within a small distance of each other. I think if this situation was copied as where in Auckland the results would be similar.

I have come to the conclusion that petrol prices will only be keep low if economic competition is available and visible. This drives companies to lower prices, become more competitive, provide great service while consumers benefit by paying lower and fairer prices.

Tensions arise between Auckland Council and local boards

As the 2011-12 annual plan and funding is decided on, the tensions between different areas of Auckland are likely to be exposed. Here in Manukau these tensions already have been exposed.

Manukau Courier the local newspaper published an article on the 24^th of May 2011 voicing the concerns of our Local boards here in Manukau city. These are the same fears that I spoke about at the start of my blog. The fear of being forgotten about and central Auckland taking much of the funding available. Some Manukau locals continue to feel this way about the new local government structure. According to Manukau Courier, the pool of funding for local priorities has dwindled as Auckland Council puts some of this money into other demands such as extra rugby world cup expenditure.

Moreover, local boards are worried that local projects will be overlooked for the sake of “fashionable arts projects in central Auckland”. It was always expected that tensions would arise from this new structure. However it is extremely worrying when a local board chair (Mike Newman) states that "Local boards and their communities are being disenfranchised in relation to decisions that have significant financial implications," comments like this will have major ramifications for the legitimately of Auckland Council in Manukau and the Southern areas of Auckland.

While I can understand the general economic situation of Auckland Council with its limited budget. The perception of locals here is that the funds, which are available, are not being spread equally. Auckland Council must work with the communities here and in other areas of the Auckland region to show that they are a Council for all of Auckland. If residents here continue to feel isolated and disenfranchised, Auckland Council will face serious social backlash and have a bitterly divided Auckland on its hands. Perceptions are powerful things they can shape and influence people’s experiences.

References: 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/5046393/Room-for-projects

Multi-storey car park building for Manukau CBD

On the 18^th of May 2011 New Zealand Herald reported that Auckland Council and the Mayor plan to support the new Manukau rail link by building a park and ride facility in the heart of Manukau’s CBD. Unlike other Auckland city’s Manukau’s CBD lacks any all day parking areas because the area is used predominately by a Westfield mall, former Manukau City Council headquarters and a few other professional services, therefore one can see the validity of building a parking building in the CBD.

The establishment of a multi-storey car park building brings numerous issues to Manukau’s CBD. First, it is likely to encourage more people to drive into the Manukau CBD, which will increase congestion. Congestion in this area is costly to many businesses because the entrances to State highway 20 (South western motorway) and State highway 1 (Southern motorway) are located in the heart of Manukau CBD. The car park building is likely to be located in an area that will require people to use the same routes as those trying to access the motorway. 

Secondly, the Herald article suggest that this will be a Council investment indicating that returns are expected therefore it will not be a truly ‘park and ride’ facility that Aucklanders are use to because it is likely that people must pay in order to park their cars here. 

Lastly, one could argue that the ‘integrated transport facility’ argument is being used to build more car parks for the Manukau CBD businesses. Manukau residents are well aware of the car park shortages for workers in our CBD. The Herald also touches on this and indicates that the car parks are likely to be used by businesses in the Manukau CBD as well as public transport users.

Personally, I don’t think many people would drive into Manukau’s CBD to catch the train when the Homai train station is only a 2min drive from the Manukau CBD and has free park space. The Homai train station is also on the Southern route, which means it will have more train services running compared to the expected services for the Manukau line. I thought the Manukau train station would be the Britomart of the South not a normal train station that one would drive to. 

The parking building is still a proposal those interested should keep an eye on the Council website.

References:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10726284

Alcohol stores flood Manukau City

I am a Manukau City resident and this issue is one that I think many Manukau residents feel strongly about. The issue of off-licence liquor outlets has driven Manukau residents to protesting on the streets as they did last year in Clendon. Driving down some of Manukau’s poorest neighbourhoods and you will see alcohol stores located next to dairies and other alcohol stores. The question that normally comes to my mind is why would a neighbourhood need so many Alcohol stores?

Source: Pacificeyewitness, 2011.
Manukau residents march out against new alcohol stores in their communities. 

The Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand released a report in 2010 titled “The Impacts of Liquor Outlets in Manukau City”. The findings are extremely concerning. It found that “in Manukau City, off-licence liquor outlets tend to be located in areas of high social deprivation and high population density” (Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, 2011). I think it could be said that Alcohol stores in Manukau only worsen the social conditions in many of these highly deprived areas. Alcohol’s social costs are widely known and are being experienced by Manukau’s most socially excluded.

Source: Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand, 2010
The most deprived areas are in the grey/black the pink dots are the liquor stores as you can see most of them are in the grey/black areas of Manukau.

I think that regulations and laws around granting off-licences to liquor stores should be toughed up. The location of the store should be taken into account and the existence of other off-licence liquor stores should also influence whether or not a license is granted. While the Council has tools that could be used to stop off-licences being granted such as the District Plan, they are not strong enough to keep the numbers of off-licences for liquor outlets low in Manukau. The effects of Alcohol abuse is damaging not only to the individual consuming it but also to their family, community and the rest of the nation. Placing off-licence liquor stores in areas where social problems already exist adds fuel to the fire.

The new Auckland Council should regularly monitor the number of off-licence liquor outlets and map out their location. They can build on the research that the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand has already established. Auckland Council needs to do this because if they do not the social cost in the long term will be significant on the rest of the Auckland region. Without early intervention and monitoring ratepayers will end up paying the bill for alcohol externalities.

The most deprived Manukau communities are the most vulnerable to the temptations of cheap liquor sold it through these off-licence liquor outlets. Those in positions of power especially local authority have legal obligations to care for these communities’ well-beings. One way of doing this is to stop granting off-licences to stores wanting to locate in these communities. This will reduce the sources of cheap alcohol in the community. By acknowledging, working and helping Auckland’s most deprived Auckland will start to head towards its goal of becoming a global city because we are only as strong as our weakness link.

References:

www.alcohol.org.nz/.../ManukauOutletDensitySummaryReport.PDF

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10662667

United States of America inspires school building design in Flat Bush

The new schools in Manukau's Flat Bush development seem to have been inspired by American School design. The two largest school Mission Heights School and Ormiston Senior College are a new style for School buildings. Unlike traditional New Zealand schools which are made up of several small buildings that are used as class rooms and have separate library and hall facilities, these new schools facilities and class rooms are predominately housed by one large buildings. One could argue that Americans design and build their schools in this manner because land is much more scarce there. So the question is why did the developers decide to build Mission Heights School and Ormiston Senior College in the same manner? In my personal opinion, the school have been built like this in Flat Bush in order to maximize land area by having a 2 to 3 storey high building that houses all the class rooms and other in door facilities and then offering student larger fields and court areas that would otherwise have been cover by a classroom if it had been built in the same traditional New Zealand School style.

Source: American Institute of Architects, 2011

New Wadena High School that will replace the old school that had similar building design that was destroyed by a tornado last year. If you compare this to the building below of Ormiston in New Zealand you can see the similarities in building styles and size.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Ormiston Senior College finished not yet operative. Its building style and size is inspired by high schools in America.

Below are photos showing the scale of these new schools. From personal observation I believe they are large because they must cater to a large housing development population catchment, which has been predominately targeted towards families, which 3 to 4 bedroom detached houses surrounding the schools.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Only one portion of the new school building

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Streetscape outside Ormiston main entrance for pedestrians 

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Sreet that is being used as Ormiston's main entrance for foot traffic.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Part of Mission Height's Schooling facilities

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Photo showing the lenght of Mission Heights Schools

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

On the Southern end of the Mission Height School building is the Primary School  as you move up the hill  it is Mission Heights Intermediate School. This means children only have to move buildings after primary school not whole locations as they normally do.

It’s also interesting to note how Ormiston Senior College has been built in bike parks in an accessible area to try and encourage students to bike to school. It’s good to see that new schools are being built to support sustainable methods of transport. 

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

The railings shown in the photo are for bike parking on the main street entrance for  Ormiston. There are a number of them, this indicates that developers were thinking about ways of encouraging sustainable travel means before the school was even operative. 

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Ormiston has an impressive range of sporting facilities that cover a large proportion of  the School's land not covered by the building.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Locals already making use of the school's sporting facilities 

References:

http://finance-commerce.com/2011/05/on-the-boards-wadena-deer-creek-middle-schoolhigh-school/

Drury’s community pushes for Train Station

Papakura Courier on the 5^th of May reported the campaign being led by a 12-year-old girl for Drury to have a train station. Papakura Courier has reported that the campaign has the support of over 300 people who have signed the petition asking Auckland Council and its local board for a train station in Drury.

The Southern rail line does go past Drury every time the train service ends at Pukekohe. In my personal opinion I find it strange that the train does not stop in Drury seeing that it goes past the township during the special services through Pukekohe. Pukekohe train services only run 10 times a day from Monday to Friday from Pukekohe to Britomart and only 9 times from Britomart to Pukekohe during the weekdays. This would not make a significant difference to the running of the train if a stop were to be built in Drury because only services that headed to and returning from Pukekohe would be effected. The significant cost would come from building the train station.

Source: New Zealand rail maps, 2011.
Drury is located in between Papakura and Pukekohe the map is from 2005 as you can see the number of services daily has increase significantly from 4 per day to 19.

I support the idea of having a station from Drury because it gives people living out in the rural areas of Auckland an alternative choice to driving. It would also support Auckland’s move towards public transportation. Auckland Council should support this campaign if they want to actualize their vision.


Reference:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/papakura-courier/4960722/Greers-station-campaign

Urban development comes to Beachlands

Beachlands is located on the eastern side of Manukau. The Beachlands are well known among locals for its sea views and idyllic sailing conditions on its shores. A few years ago the houses in this area were far spread and few, however today the Beachlands has the focus of developers. Large residential housing has been built in this area in the last few years to cater for families.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Typical size housing being built in the Beachlands area.

Driving down these new Beachlands development areas show that it is still a work in process. There are photos below that show roads that would have led to more streets and homes, as well as empty lots. Personally, I think the global economic downturn has a severe impact on these developments causing plans to only be partially completed. However, as the economy improves and the new Council looks to accommodating urban growth in areas like the Beachlands, the developments will be fully completed.  

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Road that looks like it was being built to provide more access to develop more of the land

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Numerous and various sizes of concrete pipes that have been left to one side in the development. Indicating that development is likely to continue. 

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Empty lot, on either side is a house that is settled. It may indicate that the price of land is to high.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Another road that has suddenly been unfinished within the development.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Another road unfinished.

Currently, all the houses in the development photo’d are on tank water that is delivered monthly/fortnightly, if more people are be housed in this area the Council needs to provide the correct infrastructure e.g. water system supply.  The new Council must be prepared to remedy issues that are bound to be exacerbated by any more urban development will include access to tap water, primary schools, general services and public transportation routes. It is inevitable that the Beachlands would surcome to urban growth pressures, however the developments in this area clearly sympathies with the natural environment protecting as best as possible because many of the houses use it as a selling point.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Development continues as houses are slowly being built to met the demand. 

Road widening heading towards Whitford

Roads heading towards Whitford are slowing being widening. This is a clear sign that urban growth and development will head towards the eastern coast of Manukau City.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
The barriers were being laid out to indicate that work in this section would be occurring soon.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Machines and Heavy duty trucks were starting some work as I drove past.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Other work and development occuring alongside the road widening.

Roads provide access and the primary reason that they would be widened is to accommodate increased traffic flow. Whitford is located east of the large Flatbush development and still predominately contains lifestyle blocks. Whitford enjoys outstanding views overlooking the western side of Rangitoto and surrounding islands. This process of road widening is a primary signs indicating that Manukau City Council anticipated that Whitford would be subjected to urbanisation. I think the type of urban development in this area will result in large sections filled with higher socio-economic type dwellings as the land will be expensive due to the location views.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Builders temporary offices were established alongside the road the was being widened and other development sites.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Ground alongside the road that is being widened is being flattened. I think housing developments will be built on here once ready.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Start of side roads into developments that the yet to start. It's located alongside the road that is being widened.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Land being cleared for development

The road widening work is currently being carried out along the main road Whitford-Maraetai Road. I expect as development occurs along this road the existing side roads will be widened when necessary. It's an interesting drive from the new Flatbush development to Whitford because it gives you a first-hand view on the slow process of urban development slowly crawling from Manukau CBD towards the eastern coast of Manukau.

Source: Layco, 2011. Personal Photos
Development is starting.

More healthcare choices for Manukau residents

Manukau has obtained its first ever private hospital called Ormiston Hospital. The hospital will provide residents in Manukau and throughout southern Auckland with more choice in its healthcare providers.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Ormiston Hospital in Flat Bush development area.

The hospital is located within the Flatbush development area and increases the number of hospitals with surgery capabilities. Ormiston Hopstial provides a board range of health services from general surgery to specialist producers. Its establishment within Manukau highlights urban population growth and its board services needs especially in providing high quality health services close to home. From personal observation I think Ormistion Hospital has successfully provided for a niche that was overlooked by many in the past and will continue to do well in the foreseeable future.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Ormiston Hospital is up and running, areas surrounding it are still being developed.

Manukau Youth get an Awesome Skate Park

Manukau has a youthful population compared to other areas of greater Auckland. The youthful element of the city is regularly acknowledged when developing new parks. Barry Curtis Park namely after our long serving mayor Sir Barry Curtis has clearly taken providing for youth to another level. Barry Curtis Park is primarily linked to serving the new flat bush developing, however all Manukau residents are using its facilities.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Skate Park is popular

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Skate Park is a social meeting 

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Wider view of skate park

The focal youth facility of Barry Curtis Park is the dynamic skate park with many twist and turns. It’s well designed and from the usage I’ve observed its well liked by the people using.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Different elements that people can use to do tricks on.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Different elements that people can use to do tricks on.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Different elements that people can use to do tricks on.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Different elements that people can use to do tricks on.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Different elements that people can use to do tricks on.

The skate park’s drainage of water is creatively hidden and shaped into the park to be an obstacle that many of the skaters & bikers use to do tricks.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Hidden among the boulders is a drainage system and the metal cage is protecting the main drain

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Drainage hidden in a creative way and used as another element at the skate park

The colourful building below is two-storey, above a commentator box/ judges area and below are bathrooms. This facility means that the skate park has the ability to host competitions and help young skaters/BMX sports people gain experience in their own backyard.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

Barry Curtis Park also provides for BXM and Mountain bikers with the man-made hills that are regularly used to train on or accomplish tricks.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Hill that is regularly used by bikers

The park also provides great people-watching opportunities as its surrounded by lively areas and activities. Imagine the array of uses and people coming to the park when it has been fully completed. I think Barry Curtis Park will have it all the views, the activity facilities and leisure factor. Most importantly, it reflects the vision Manukau City Council had for the Park which is “park that reflects the people and cultures of Manukau.”

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Parts of the Park are yet to be completed, yet the skate park is already being heavily used.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Construction machines still onsite to finish the work.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Adults watching the tricks and enjoying exploring the Park

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Friends meeting and being active.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Father and young toddler looking on.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos
Boys heading on in to make use of their new skate park

Barry Curtis Park is a must visit. 

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos