A new 1000 acre (400 ha) Great Park at Long Bay for Auckland?
Suggestions for a way forward.
by Graeme North
Registered Architect with a strong interest in environmental and Permaculture ideals,
18 Neville Street, Warkworth, ph +64 9 4259305
with input from Alastair Wells, Sustainable Land Management Consultant.
January 1999
INTRODUCTION
The notion of saving the last significant undeveloped stretch of eastern coastline and immediate hinterland between Howick and Waiwera from untrammelled development is an idea of vast far sightedness, a vision with huge implications for the people of Auckland.
It is a vision on the scale of thinking that gave the Auckland Region such gems of open areas such as Albert Park, the Auckland Domain, the protected volcanic cones, and the Regional Parks. As the city has grown in size to become one of the largest urban areas in the world another move to preserve a significant area of public open space can be considered as a continuation of visionary thinking.
It would appear from what I understand of the Long Bay Great Park Proposal so far is that the local situation is to some degree one of residents versus the Council and private development/profit taking.
There is always a NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) element to these issues and possibly a compromise position must be expected.
The area in question obviously has land that would be quite suitable for development into residential housing.
A family company owns the land but they are currently restrained from developing the land through the restrictions of the district plan and negative public reaction.
It will be almost impossible to ask that the land be made public unless the owners can get a profit, or excellent levels of compensation.
Ideally a strategy and solution can be devised and adopted that results in a winning outcome for all parties concerned.
FUNDING
How the region should fund the park is obviously a critical issue.
A significant project such as this could possibly be seen as a worthy Millennium project that might attract some funding from Central or Regional government as one strong approach. A major project such as this might also attract large private sponsors.
A suggestion could be that the part of the land be developed as very exclusive residential/tourism subdivision based on the high landscape values that would accrue from proximity to the park.
The returns from sale of property from such high value use may provide income in the long term for the development and maintenance of the park.
The Great Park issue is definitely one that concerns all the people of the Greater Auckland Region even if its territorial location is within North Shore City.
There would inevitably be some funding required from regional or local councils in terms of staff, maintenance, and landscaping costs for public aspects of the park, but certain zones could possibly be managed as private botanic gardens containing particular collections which could become part of garden tourism that is becoming a feature of travel within and to New Zealand. (Note the high interest in gardening with very popular TV programs such as the Maggie Barry Garden Show)
Focus can be brought to bear on the economic benefits from the park development - increased property values, potential for high value subdivision, business development based on the resources, and analysis of present and future recreational needs in the area including parkland provision, tourism potential, as well as recreational and environmental values.
GREAT PARK USERS
A 1000 acre park is quite capable of supporting a large number of organisations without compromising the aesthetic, cultural, or scientific nature of the area.
Any park design must take into account the potential of various user groups who might develop some form of facility or accommodation within the park. These groups could include the university, polytechnic and other tertiary sectors, as well as welfare providers such as Children and Young Persons Service. Recreational and outdoor adventure groups that are either land or marine based would also need to be included.
A need could be shown for a nature reserve/conservation orientated botanic gardens in the northern Auckland urban region, (especially as a repository of native tree and plant species, plus heirloom productive species), and even something similar to the very popular Ellerslie Flower Show could be established.
There is intrinsic merit in preserving the mainly coastal archaeological features and unique flora and fauna of the area. (Its a shame that the unique wildlife is a scale insect and not a marine mammal. If there is little interest in this side of things, this will not carry much weight).
Linking the park to a marine reserve, such as successful nearby island revegetation and wildlife areas, eg. Tiritiri, might help, and the notion of a “mainland island” nature reserve with at least part of the area kept pest and predator free could be developed.
The Auckland Region has limited resources in terms of urban parkland, yet there are clear indications that large urban parkland has not only social but also economic value. Major city parks (eg. Central Park in New York, or closer to home, the Royal Reserve south of Sydney and the large forest area of North Head on Sydney Harbour) make cities more attractive for people to work and live in, while also having parks as a major attraction for visitors. All these factors have positive economic implications that flow from positive social and environmental issues that are linked into a major park development.
THE WAY FORWARD - A CONFERENCE
The way forward could be to identify as many different people/groups/agencies as possible that may have a scientific, social, recreational, conservation, governmental, or business interest in the park and call a gathering and/or conference to see what common ground there may be as a way forward.
This would take considerable skill, organisational time and commitment, and obtaining funding for this would be a major step in itself. (Here the great Park Society might be able to obtain a Lotteries Board or ASB Bank Grant to facilitate this.)
Key personnel might include representatives from (and this is not and exclusive list but rather the start of one that must be expanded):
• Great Park Society
• The land owners and adjacent land owners
• The NZ Tourism Board
• ARC Regional Parks
• ARC Botanic Gardens
• NZ Institute of Planning
• NZ Futures Trust.
• NZ Permaculture Society
• NZ Institute of Landscape Architects
• NZ Institute of Architects
• Institute of Professional Engineers
• DOC
• MfE
• Local Bodies of the greater Auckland area.
• Various interested individuals
Themes might include:
• The Great Park proposal
• Human and natural history
• The park as a refuge for people
• The park as a refuge for nature - environmental and conservation issues
• The park as public and private space and the uses thereof
• Institutions (public and private) of the North Shore and wider Auckland region who would use or benefit from such a park
• The Urban Park Design Group
• Practical issues for establishing the park legal, planning, design, financial, implementation
A conference such as this should also help “discover” the key personnel necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, and identify key players to establish an urban park design group.
PARK DESIGN PROCESS and IMPLEMENTATION
The proposed park area needs to have a thorough survey done on it in terms of Resource Management to identify all areas that are suitable and best suited for different purposes.
This Resource Management approach would need to survey land information with regard to soil types, geography, and geology to determine the stability, and best uses for each area of land/beach/coast.
Identify and map:
• Historical areas of interest or values.
• Existing vegetation and infrastructure
• Conservation areas of interest or value
• Amenity areas of interest or values
• Aesthetic areas of interest or values
• Wildlife areas of interest or values
• Archaeological areas of interest or value.
• Scientific areas of interest or value with respect to flora, fauna and geology.
• Any natural features worthy of preservation for any of the above reasons.
Analysis also needs to be carried out on:
• Existing water features and management.
• Infrastructure within the local and greater Auckland region both land based and marine based.
• Access to and from the park, services that are available or need to be provided etc.
• Services within the park eg walkways, cycle tracks, roads, access to various areas of interest etc. as well as water supply, power supply, telephones, sewerage etc
• Area of high economic value for housing, lodges, hotels, etc.
• Areas identified as suitable for any of the possible uses which may be identified.
• Regeneration patterns.
• Beach, shore, marine and nearby recreational patterns and areas.
• Social needs.
Once the various patterns that identify each particular area of intrinsic value or suited for a particular activity have been identified, patterns of land and park use will start to emerge that are soundly based.
An Urban Park Design Group would need to be formed to carry out the design process by way of detailed investigations, models and maps. The whole process could be carried out possibly in an office on or near the site in full view and in direct and continual consultation with the public and other interested parties.
The end result should be a robust design that is soundly resource based and which has its own compelling logic which should also address all necessary economic, legal, governmental and implementation issues. This would then meet the needs of all concerned for the establishment of a park that is truly great.
If this sort of process is not adopted, then any development must be either genius inspired or else imposed without due regard for at least some of the compelling (and possibly unidentified as yet) features that are intrinsic to the site and the proposal.
Implementation of any design will be a long term project that will require most careful planing and financial strategy and will be a major hurdle that can not be trivialised.
ACCEPTANCE
The major hurdle is of course to get widespread acceptance of the idea for the Great Park in the first place and the Great Park Society is to be commended on their efforts so far. Once there is public interest or acceptance then the rest will follow, but it will be hard work.
by Graeme North
Registered Architect with a strong interest in environmental and Permaculture ideals,
18 Neville Street, Warkworth, ph +64 9 4259305
with input from Alastair Wells, Sustainable Land Management Consultant.
January 1999
INTRODUCTION
The notion of saving the last significant undeveloped stretch of eastern coastline and immediate hinterland between Howick and Waiwera from untrammelled development is an idea of vast far sightedness, a vision with huge implications for the people of Auckland.
It is a vision on the scale of thinking that gave the Auckland Region such gems of open areas such as Albert Park, the Auckland Domain, the protected volcanic cones, and the Regional Parks. As the city has grown in size to become one of the largest urban areas in the world another move to preserve a significant area of public open space can be considered as a continuation of visionary thinking.
It would appear from what I understand of the Long Bay Great Park Proposal so far is that the local situation is to some degree one of residents versus the Council and private development/profit taking.
There is always a NIMBY (Not In My BackYard) element to these issues and possibly a compromise position must be expected.
The area in question obviously has land that would be quite suitable for development into residential housing.
A family company owns the land but they are currently restrained from developing the land through the restrictions of the district plan and negative public reaction.
It will be almost impossible to ask that the land be made public unless the owners can get a profit, or excellent levels of compensation.
Ideally a strategy and solution can be devised and adopted that results in a winning outcome for all parties concerned.
FUNDING
How the region should fund the park is obviously a critical issue.
A significant project such as this could possibly be seen as a worthy Millennium project that might attract some funding from Central or Regional government as one strong approach. A major project such as this might also attract large private sponsors.
A suggestion could be that the part of the land be developed as very exclusive residential/tourism subdivision based on the high landscape values that would accrue from proximity to the park.
The returns from sale of property from such high value use may provide income in the long term for the development and maintenance of the park.
The Great Park issue is definitely one that concerns all the people of the Greater Auckland Region even if its territorial location is within North Shore City.
There would inevitably be some funding required from regional or local councils in terms of staff, maintenance, and landscaping costs for public aspects of the park, but certain zones could possibly be managed as private botanic gardens containing particular collections which could become part of garden tourism that is becoming a feature of travel within and to New Zealand. (Note the high interest in gardening with very popular TV programs such as the Maggie Barry Garden Show)
Focus can be brought to bear on the economic benefits from the park development - increased property values, potential for high value subdivision, business development based on the resources, and analysis of present and future recreational needs in the area including parkland provision, tourism potential, as well as recreational and environmental values.
GREAT PARK USERS
A 1000 acre park is quite capable of supporting a large number of organisations without compromising the aesthetic, cultural, or scientific nature of the area.
Any park design must take into account the potential of various user groups who might develop some form of facility or accommodation within the park. These groups could include the university, polytechnic and other tertiary sectors, as well as welfare providers such as Children and Young Persons Service. Recreational and outdoor adventure groups that are either land or marine based would also need to be included.
A need could be shown for a nature reserve/conservation orientated botanic gardens in the northern Auckland urban region, (especially as a repository of native tree and plant species, plus heirloom productive species), and even something similar to the very popular Ellerslie Flower Show could be established.
There is intrinsic merit in preserving the mainly coastal archaeological features and unique flora and fauna of the area. (Its a shame that the unique wildlife is a scale insect and not a marine mammal. If there is little interest in this side of things, this will not carry much weight).
Linking the park to a marine reserve, such as successful nearby island revegetation and wildlife areas, eg. Tiritiri, might help, and the notion of a “mainland island” nature reserve with at least part of the area kept pest and predator free could be developed.
The Auckland Region has limited resources in terms of urban parkland, yet there are clear indications that large urban parkland has not only social but also economic value. Major city parks (eg. Central Park in New York, or closer to home, the Royal Reserve south of Sydney and the large forest area of North Head on Sydney Harbour) make cities more attractive for people to work and live in, while also having parks as a major attraction for visitors. All these factors have positive economic implications that flow from positive social and environmental issues that are linked into a major park development.
THE WAY FORWARD - A CONFERENCE
The way forward could be to identify as many different people/groups/agencies as possible that may have a scientific, social, recreational, conservation, governmental, or business interest in the park and call a gathering and/or conference to see what common ground there may be as a way forward.
This would take considerable skill, organisational time and commitment, and obtaining funding for this would be a major step in itself. (Here the great Park Society might be able to obtain a Lotteries Board or ASB Bank Grant to facilitate this.)
Key personnel might include representatives from (and this is not and exclusive list but rather the start of one that must be expanded):
• Great Park Society
• The land owners and adjacent land owners
• The NZ Tourism Board
• ARC Regional Parks
• ARC Botanic Gardens
• NZ Institute of Planning
• NZ Futures Trust.
• NZ Permaculture Society
• NZ Institute of Landscape Architects
• NZ Institute of Architects
• Institute of Professional Engineers
• DOC
• MfE
• Local Bodies of the greater Auckland area.
• Various interested individuals
Themes might include:
• The Great Park proposal
• Human and natural history
• The park as a refuge for people
• The park as a refuge for nature - environmental and conservation issues
• The park as public and private space and the uses thereof
• Institutions (public and private) of the North Shore and wider Auckland region who would use or benefit from such a park
• The Urban Park Design Group
• Practical issues for establishing the park legal, planning, design, financial, implementation
A conference such as this should also help “discover” the key personnel necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, and identify key players to establish an urban park design group.
PARK DESIGN PROCESS and IMPLEMENTATION
The proposed park area needs to have a thorough survey done on it in terms of Resource Management to identify all areas that are suitable and best suited for different purposes.
This Resource Management approach would need to survey land information with regard to soil types, geography, and geology to determine the stability, and best uses for each area of land/beach/coast.
Identify and map:
• Historical areas of interest or values.
• Existing vegetation and infrastructure
• Conservation areas of interest or value
• Amenity areas of interest or values
• Aesthetic areas of interest or values
• Wildlife areas of interest or values
• Archaeological areas of interest or value.
• Scientific areas of interest or value with respect to flora, fauna and geology.
• Any natural features worthy of preservation for any of the above reasons.
Analysis also needs to be carried out on:
• Existing water features and management.
• Infrastructure within the local and greater Auckland region both land based and marine based.
• Access to and from the park, services that are available or need to be provided etc.
• Services within the park eg walkways, cycle tracks, roads, access to various areas of interest etc. as well as water supply, power supply, telephones, sewerage etc
• Area of high economic value for housing, lodges, hotels, etc.
• Areas identified as suitable for any of the possible uses which may be identified.
• Regeneration patterns.
• Beach, shore, marine and nearby recreational patterns and areas.
• Social needs.
Once the various patterns that identify each particular area of intrinsic value or suited for a particular activity have been identified, patterns of land and park use will start to emerge that are soundly based.
An Urban Park Design Group would need to be formed to carry out the design process by way of detailed investigations, models and maps. The whole process could be carried out possibly in an office on or near the site in full view and in direct and continual consultation with the public and other interested parties.
The end result should be a robust design that is soundly resource based and which has its own compelling logic which should also address all necessary economic, legal, governmental and implementation issues. This would then meet the needs of all concerned for the establishment of a park that is truly great.
If this sort of process is not adopted, then any development must be either genius inspired or else imposed without due regard for at least some of the compelling (and possibly unidentified as yet) features that are intrinsic to the site and the proposal.
Implementation of any design will be a long term project that will require most careful planing and financial strategy and will be a major hurdle that can not be trivialised.
ACCEPTANCE
The major hurdle is of course to get widespread acceptance of the idea for the Great Park in the first place and the Great Park Society is to be commended on their efforts so far. Once there is public interest or acceptance then the rest will follow, but it will be hard work.
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