Appeal puts brakes on Silverdale park ‘n’ ride

The appeal lodged by Johns Creek Holdings which could delay building of Stage one of the Silverdale park ‘n’ ride by as much as a year, is being described as “blatant opportunism” by angry Local Board members.

Building work was expected to begin early this year and Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member John Kirikiri says the appeal means that a much-needed piece of infrastructure is being used as a bargaining chip.

“Johns Creek Holdings is holding the community to ransom,” Mr Kirikiri says. “It’s shameful that this public facility should be held up because of one company’s commercial imperatives.”

However the company, which owns land opposite the park ‘n’ ride site on Hibiscus Coast Highway, near the Silverdale interchange, is at pains to point out that it made submissions in favour of the park ‘n’ ride.

Director Robin Kelly says he appealed the consent granted last November in order to gain certainty regarding access to his site to enable future development.

“There are issues with the proposed intersection for the park ‘n’ ride and now is the appropriate time to deal with them,” Mr Kelly says. “The only people who can solve the issue are Auckland Transport or Council. Any intersection must provide appropriate access to our land.”

Mr Kelly is arguing for a four way, traffic light controlled intersection providing access into the park ‘n’ ride as well as into his 11.4 ha site. This would mean removing part of Silverdale War Memorial Park – currently this is Silverdale United Rugby Football Club’s field 4.

Rugby club chair Bruce Ryan says there would be strong opposition to this move.

There are also possible access ways to Johns Creek Holdings land through a future development along Wainui Rd, also in the Knowledge Economy zone, but this land is not currently being developed.

Mr Kelly says he is open to mediation to find a way forward, especially if it precludes an Environment Court hearing, but does not hold out much hope.

“We’ve been in discussions with Council for at least a year to no avail. We made a number of suggestions, and nothing was taken up.”

If mediation is not successful an Environment Court hearing would take place in anywhere from six to 12 months time.

Meanwhile the extension of the carpark at the Albany Busway, used by large numbers of Hibiscus Coast commuters, is set to commence this week. It adds another 550 car parks.