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

Pine Harbour Development and lessons it could teach us

Pine Harbour, a beautiful serene area nested within Beachlands (East Auckland) has its future currently being fought out in the environment court.

Source: Pohutukawa coast, 2011
Views from Pine Harbour

The Eastern Courier reported early this week that the Pohutukawa Coast Community Association is furious with Pine Harbour Holdings' planned development as it would damage the streetscape and unique environment that locals love.

According to Eastern Courier Pine Harbour Holdings’ development will include:

• ·      Develop 11.58 hectares of land surrounding the marina into residential land use.
• ·      Apartments 2 to 5 storeys high are the chosen and dominant typology and will house would 1000 people.
• ·      Commercial and retail space

Source: Pine Harbour Holdings, 2011
Example of apartment designs laid out in Pine Holdings Proposal

The community is not against development, they only wish to modify the company’s proposal so that the new development does not negatively and significantly impact the current facade of the area. The community group has also pointed out that the developments have not been accompanied by a development increase in transportation modes. This is significant as the main modes of transport (excluding private car) in this area are the ferry and buses, which run very limited services and infrequent services, meaning most of the new residential developments will use private vehicles thus increasing traffic and usage of local roads. 

Pine Harbour’s development is a clear signal to everyone that urban grow is occurring and Auckland city’s surrounding areas such as the Beachlands will have to take some of the growth. However, development should occur in a way that is not only commercially beneficial but also sympathetic and considerate to community/local values. Communities should be listened to and their ideas thought about and responded to. In the end development will only be successful in adding to Auckland’s social capital when it acknowledges social values. 

New pipes same technique

Manurewa is getting new stormwater infrastructure. Alongside Mahia Road work is well underway to upgrade the old stormwater pipes. Manurewa has experience large population growth in the last few years as many residential developments have opened up such as Glenveagh Park and Wattle Downs causing an increase in impervious areas and increasing the level of storm water runoff into the drains the old pipes are no long able to handle the volume of water runoff from the area.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos.
Diggers preparing the ground for the pipes.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos.
Pipes on road side waiting to be placed underground.

Source: Layco, 2011 Personal Photos.
Numerous large pipes that will be installed to help Manurewa deal with stormwater.

Its great to see investment into infrastructure in Manurewa, however it should be accompanied with more environmental methods of dealing with stormwater and runoff such as rain gardens. Old methods of channelling and draining stormwater maybe efficient in the short-term but its long-term impacts on the environment is significant and should be avoided. Other areas have dealt with stormwater using best management practises with added creativity no longer is the stormwater piped and quickly sent away but it becomes a integral feature of the place. 

Source: Prince, J.W. 2011.
Stormwater ponds used as a "natural feature" in a park.

Source: Prince, J.W. 2011.
Stormwater retention ponds as a 'natural' view for the surrounding residential development.

Businesses and Manukau

Manukau has some of New Zealand’s largest industrial sectors containing some of the best international and local business such as Lion Brewery. Highbrook a recently developed business park contains more then 30 businesses ranging from banks to information technology firms. Highbrook has been beautifully developed to take advantage of the natural features surrounding it, thus not only is it a good place to do business but also to visit. The Highbrook development is testament to Manukau active methods of attracts businesses into its city.

Source: Goodman Developments, 2011.
The white outline indicates where Highbrook Park has been developed.

Below is a video Manukau has used in the past to attract and inform businesses about why Manukau is the place to locate your business. It displays Manukau’s strengths in the different spheres including its social makeup, infrastructure, location, resource availability and political environment. If you listen to the statistics and evidence spoken throughout the video it will become evident why Manukau has the majority of industries and continues to enjoy business investment and location within its boundaries. Manukau clearly has comparative advantage when it comes to attracting Manufacturing and Industrial businesses.

Manukau’s trees left to fend for themselves

Submissions for nominating tree protection in urban Manukau finished on the 31^st of March and the future for our urban trees do not look good.

On the 22^nd of March Manukau Courier voiced the pleas of the Manurewa, Otara-Papatoetoe and Mangere-Otahuhu local boards to local residents to lodge submissions nominating trees for protection. 

When Manukau Courier’s article was release only a total of two trees in Manukau “had been nominated for protection under the district plan”. This is a major worry because after January 2012 all current general rules protecting Manukau’s trees will be removed and replaced by the new plan that does not embody a general trees protection rule.

Below are direct quotes, which were interesting from this Manukau Courier article (2011):

• ·         Auckland Council says any trees identified and protected under previous councils' existing district plans will continue to be protected.
• ·      To date there are around 630 trees protected under the former Manukau City Council's existing plan.
• ·      Only trees in outstanding condition that are renowned for their heritage and contribution to the community landscape will be considered.

The worry among some residents in these urban areas is that once the general tree protect rule is removed people will cut down trees unnecessarily without acknowledging their amenity value and wider role in the environment.

While 630 trees will continue to be protected in Manukau, thousands of others are unprotected by law. Think about it this way Manukau covers about 683 km² within this area there are thousands of trees. Of these thousands of trees, only 630 individual trees have legal protection from anyone trying to cut it down, the rest could be cut down without consequence after 2012.

Personally, I think Manukau’s beautiful urban and rural environment is testament to the success of the general tree protection rule, without it trees in urban areas specially those facing major development pressures are likely to be cut down for the sake of development. Trees modify derelict urban areas into pleasant livable spaces and more importantly, they are part of a larger ecosystem that should be protected.

Reference:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/manukau-courier/4791835/Time-running-out-for-trees

Choo-Choo train heading towards Manukau’s CBD

Residents living in Manukau are about to get a new rail line service opened to them. Unlike North Shore and Auckland City residents who have frequent bus services with dedicated bus lines such as the B-line or the Northern express buses using the Northern bus-way, Manukau City residents depend on our trains as our main public transport into Auckland CBD. Some may argue that it won't matter if there's another train line service with the increasing train fare encourages Manukau residents to get back into their cars but that’s another story. 

Currently there are rail lines are being attached and laid out connecting the current Southern rail line to the new rail line heading towards Manukau’s CBD. The rail line named the Manukau rail link leads into a Britomart like transport hub, which is estimated to become the second busiest station after Britomart.

More new tracks are being laid out behind the pile of gravel heading towards Manukau CBD.
Source: R.Layco, 2011 Personal photos

Dirty roads that are being used by the heavy machinery to laid out the tracks.
Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

More materials that are being used during construction.
Source: R. Layco, 2011 Personal Photos

According to Kiwi Rail this is “the first new rail route to be built in Auckland since 1930”. The line will be a double track “2km section of new track linking Davies Ave in Manukau City with the Southern railway line at Puhinui. The track will run under Lambie Drive and Plunket Ave and across Hayman Park” (Kiwi Rail, 2011).

Source: Kiwi Rail, 2011

Kiwi Rail started work in July 2009 and the project is expected to be finished mid 2011 and scheduled to operate passenger services so after. Additionally, the project has been timed to finish in time to assist in rugby world cup transportation. I have been using train services regularly for over 7 years and I have no doubt that once this line has opened that the locals will utilize it.