My Account
Warkworth Ridge issue
The headline article on this new development (MM Sept 12) highlights a significant issue about the management of urban growth and the planning process.
It is paramount that the actual development in identified (future) growth areas/zones be appropriately staged in line with the provision of the essential infrastructure (roading, wastewater, water, stormwater and power). It is obvious that this is not the case in Warkworth.
It is a failure of both parties (developer and the utility providers) not to have liaised and coordinated their programmes to ensure that the development could proceed appropriately. Watercare in its evidence to the Plan Change hearings (2020) stated that “the network would be available in 2022 or 2023 at the latest”. For a variety of reasons that has not happened and it will not be ready until 2025.
Surely that should have been discussed with the developer to time the development to tie in with that.
In fact, one of the policies included in the Plan Change decision stated that “the subdivision and development to be coordinated with the provision of transport infrastructure and services identified on a plan (that was included as part of the Plan Change documents).
In response to Mr McKenna’s complaint that he should “not have to have land sitting vacant waiting for water and wastewater connections”, it would have been prudent (given that the Plan Change area is large) to have staged the development to ensure that there was adequate capacity at all stages.
Hugh Briggs, secretary, Northern Action Group (NAG)
Dog control plea
Council dog rules clearly state that dogs should be leashed on public roads.
I would appeal to all dog owners to follow this rule.
A man in our street walks with his dog unrestrained and out of control.
The dog dashes from one side of the street to the other and into people’s properties where people could be gardening and children playing.
I have been attacked by dogs even the cute fluffy ones “who would never hurt you” and abused by their owners in the past for trying to keep the dogs away from me.
They have hurt me. I have a skin condition which has taken months of healing caused by a dog.
I thought my garden would be the last bastion of safety but now I have to be alert to this roaming dog coming up and down the street. Please all dog owners, keep your dogs on leashes on footpaths and think of others. Thank you.
Sandy Garman, Algies Bay
School pick up complaint
I’m writing in with a complaint as I got a fine of $60 for picking up my daughters from school [Mahurangi College]. We only parked there for three minutes.
I’ve always double parked on a bike lane that never gets used, while sitting in the car waiting with the engine running, completely off the road while still leaving room for cyclists to go past. There are no car parks available and if I don’t double park, my kids have to cross the road themselves (it’s extremely dangerous as it’s a busy with lots of heavy trucks).
Most parents double park to pick up their children as it’s one of their only options.
Seems to be another case of revenue gathering money for the Council. There’s no safety issues or any inconvenience caused to any road users, pedestrians or cyclists. Can’t figure this one out.
Mark Parker, Kaipara Flats
