Growth – Community facilities planning

WALG has already established the need for a community led approach to urban development planning.

This should also apply to community and recreational facilities including an expanded central library, community hall (possibly a new town hall), health centres, schools and active recreation facilities.

Pressure for this has increased with the recent approval of Plan Change 93 [Warkworth South] and the start being made on the Stubbs Farm development, even though it is unlikely that new housing will be occupied for at least three to four years. This gives Auckland Council time to plan and make these necessary decisions.

In looking at the town centre planning options (MM, Jun 9) WALG identified the need to rationalise the commercial heart of the centre, as well as providing better community and recreational projects involving both the riverside reserve and the bowling club complex.

Its preferred option to redevelop the bowling club site and adjacent sites required WALG to look at possible sites near the centre where the club could relocate. Shoesmith Reserve is one such option and is the most logical one long-term.

However, it is a popular site being flat and close to the centre with good road access and reasonable parking provision. There are several sporting clubs using this area, some with ideas for expansion of their grounds and facilities. The tennis club recently presented their proposal to the Rodney Local Board to expand onto the northern side of the reserve, using the old Ladies Bowling Club area.

Given the planned growth for 20-30,000 people in Warkworth, it is essential that this reserve (and others) is properly developed to meet growth in demand in many sports. Space is at a premium. Small club buildings are scattered around the site, and these require constant maintenance. It would be logical to build a larger complex with shared amenities, being a more cost-effective solution. Council has to plan for this in the near future as decisions have to be made not only to cater for the current situation, but also for the longer term future.

The riverside area, including the wharf car park and library sites, should be comprehensively planned and developed, again in a coordinated manner. The library building is on a small site with limited depth, but there is an 8.5m height limit that would permit two storeys. If the Masonic Hall was relocated onto the adjacent car park area, a larger comprehensively designed complex could be built, housing an expanded library and community centre with meeting rooms.

The Wharf Road open space area should be expanded (ultimately relocating the parking), and commercial development along that frontage be encouraged to provide cafes/restaurants overlooking the river. Again the 8.5m limit would enable two storey development.

It is essential to realise the potential of these existing recreational areas and the attractions of the town centre to make Warkworth more attractive to future residents and visitors.