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Boulevard needs fix
John Clements, Orewa
I see that the Orewa Boulevard extension could cost over a million bucks (Hibiscus Matters April 18). Before any money is spent on Stage 2, I suggest Stage 1 be sorted out. It has not been properly maintained since it was built by the Rodney District Council 10 years ago. It has many faults: wrong tree species to cope with salt-laden winds; defunct fountain; wrong plants in poorly designed planter boxes; busted ‘tree lights’ and broken glass; footpath on seaward side little used and too wide, such that the road is too narrow for traffic flow; broken brickwork on pavements; access to beach opposite More FM a mess; so called ‘Exceloo’ toilet near the children’s playground a disgrace; zebra crossings in the wrong places.
Unless the Local Board and Council first sort out the existing problems, it will be money down the blocked storm water drains!
Design standard poor
Diane Marshall, Manly
I read with interest the story in the last Hibiscus Matters (April 18) about the proposed Stanmore Bay apartments. I see from the story that Council’s urban design panel gave the original plans the once-over. And this is the result? I cannot believe that any urban designers worth their salt can seriously consider this an appropriate look for such a prominent site in little Stanmore Bay. I have no problem with apartments as such but good design is crucial not only to how buildings sit within the neighbourhood, but also for the wellbeing of the future residents of those apartments. What I am looking at is tomorrow’s slums. Someone needs to take a good look at who is on that design panel.
Apartments uncalled for
Richard Wilson, Red Beach
Like many others in this community I understand the need for more intensive housing but don’t know why you would place it in such an outlying area as ours which is not close to major public transport hubs (so far) or sufficient employment opportunities. The images in Hibiscus Matters’ April 18 paper of what is proposed for Stanmore Bay are an example of this. Central city apartments, yes, but totally uncalled for in a suburb such as this. They stick out like a sore thumb and I fervently hope they get the thumb’s down from Auckland Council which is clearly trying to improve the way they look in this low rise area.
