Sign In / Register
The glossy document that Auckland Council planners prepared as a blueprint for Silverdale’s future growth, the Silverdale Centre Plan, was adopted by the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board last month.
The draft was put before the local board seven months ago and a period of consultation with the community followed.
Changes made to the draft following feedback include:
Amending the section between Hibiscus Coast Highway and the roundabout on Brian Smith Drive to create a proposed pedestrian and cycle link between the Hibiscus Bus Station/Park and Ride and central Silverdale, from the northern side of Rotary House, the Silverdale Rugby Club building, and Bunnings Warehouse to the southern side of these buildings. This was in response to specific feedback from the rugby club and Bunnings.
Including the Hibiscus Coast Highway/Whangaparaoa Road/Millwater Parkway junction when opportunities are investigated to improve safety, access and intersections along Hibiscus Coast Highway.
Giving more weight to a number of key moves associated with the Weiti River, including to enhance its ecological values, and to develop actions for riparian planting and catchment planting programmes.
Supporting Te Herenga Waka O Orewa marae to integrate into the area as a cultural, educational, training and community hub.
The plan covers Silverdale Village, retail areas towards Millwater Parkway (including the Silverdale Centre) the land occupied by Pak ‘n’ Save and Bunnings, Silverdale Memorial Park, the Park ‘n’ Ride, entertainment zone and the industrial zone.
Among its objectives are: to improve Silverdale Street into a high quality environment that reflects local character and heritage; protect and enhance cultural and historic heritage and identity as part of improved public spaces; enhance the ecological values of the Weiti River and provide safe and convenient connections between the various parts of Silverdale, including for pedestrians and cyclists.
Key objectives for the longer term development of the area include enabling ‘mixed use’ development around the Wade Hotel, Blue Gum Avenue and the residential part of Blanc Road. Mixed use areas combine commercial, light industrial and residential. Working with landowners to investigate planning for higher intensity residential development to the north of Pak ‘n’ Save is also suggested as a medium to long term objective.
It is divided into short term and medium to long-term actions; Council’s North West planning manager Warren McLennan has stated that all the short-term actions (within five years) are likely to be fully funded. These include supporting the establishment of a Business Improvement District, better integrating Silverdale Pioneer Village with the surrounding area, upgrading Wade River landing and retaining 36 Hibiscus Coast Highway as open space.
The latter was stated as a top priority for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board.
Funding of the longer term options (six–30 years), which include advocating for a library at Silverdale, is less certain.
The plan is non-statutory but Hibiscus & Bays Local Board chair Julia Parfitt says it is important that it does not sit on a shelf gathering dust. “It’s all very well to have a nice, glossy plan but we need to make sure that the implementation happens,” she said.
Mr McLennan agreed and said that the first step is to sit down with Council staff and CCOs, and also make sure the plan is prioritised for funding in the Annual Plan for 2016/17.
The adopted version of the plan is linked here. [2MB PDF]
