One Warkworth – Teenage angst

I often hear people say “I wish Warkworth was like it was 30 years ago” and, having been raised in a small rural town, I can understand what they mean. There was a certain appeal about being able to park wherever you wanted, knowing nearly everybody when you went to do your shopping and the easy pace of life. Unfortunately, we will never have those days again and we have to learn to live and succeed in today’s world.

I often compare Warkworth to an adolescent boy – all gangly, not sure what direction he is going in and nothing quite wired right as he waits to grow up. This is why it is important that, as a town and an area, we have to get it right. We have to ensure that every opportunity to engage in public consultation over the Structure Plan is oversubscribed by enthusiastic locals so our views can be heard.

We need to support local organisations like One Warkworth, Warkworth Area Liaison Group and Fix Hill Street as we work with Auckland Council, AT and NZTA to make sure not only do we get the infrastructure needed, but it is designed to cope with the forecasted growth that is coming. We need to make our retail area the place that visitors want to come to, either on their way to the north or on their way back, and we can only do that if we all work together either with town-wide promotions or just making sure that we give every visitor the best experience possible. In some ways, it is just a matter of expressing that small town hospitality and warmth that you don’t get in larger centres.

Parking will be an issue until we can get a Park and Ride that will not only remove those cars from the middle of town, where people have gone into Auckland to work, but also all of the local retail staff who need parking. These people all need to be catered for, so that they can park and get to work. If we can find a way that works for everybody then this will free up parking for shoppers.

I am often told that we need to turn retail away from the main street and towards the river, Wrong! I believe retail needs to stay where it is and hospitality and tourism need to be facing the river. The river is our greatest asset and we have to find the funds to dredge it as soon as possible. A dredged river will bring prosperity to our area with tourists who don’t require a carpark, but have money to spend.

Murray Chapman, Manager
www.onewarkworth.co.nz