Village fights for its name

Auckland Transport is choosing to ignore a petition with 793 signatures that was presented to it on behalf of Silverdale Village businesses and residents last December.

The petition seeks the reintroduction of signs with the name ‘Silverdale Village’ on them.

Last March, all four ‘Silverdale Village’ signs were replaced with ones that read ‘Silverdale Centre’ (HM April 1). Silverdale Centre is the retail complex opposite Stella Maris.

Changing the signs effectively removed the Village name, which was officially adopted for the area of Silverdale Street between Hibiscus Coast Highway and Wainui Road when the Silverdale Centre opened late in 2012.

Back then, the Silverdale Area Business Association (SABA) made the change to differentiate itself from the new retail centre and adopted ‘Silverdale Village’ because the name recognised the town’s history and character. Lorraine Sampson, who was then on the association, says they obtained the nod of approval of the local board for the change.

Mrs Sampson is leading the charge to have the Village name reinstated. She says a large number of the retailers are unhappy about the change and were not consulted. She says this includes businesses that are members of SABA, and some that are not.

At the time the change was made, SABA president Phil Bennett said the association was happy with the new signs as it was hoped they would bring potential customers through the village en route to the Centre.

The petition was received by Auckland Transport (AT) on December 10.

In response, Mrs Sampson received a letter from AT network management and safety group manager Randhir Karma stating that the signs were changed in consultation with the Silverdale Business Association and the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and no further changes will be made.

Asked whether the local board was consulted, local board deputy chair Janet Fitzgerald says she was aware that the name on the signs was to be changed from attending meetings with representatives of AT and SABA, and that she reported this back to the local board at a confidential workshop.

She says it cost a considerable amount to replace the signs, although AT had not officially told the local board how much.