VIEWS FROM THE BEACH with Peter White
Exciting times ahead for our area
An overview of what is happening in Takapuna Beach
from Business Association General Manager – Peter White.
Exciting times ahead for our area
Congratulations to Aidan and his team at Benefitz on its initiative to produce CHANNEL, this new monthly magazine, which corresponds with the formation of the new supercity, and is distributed to all of those living in the new Devonport -Takapuna Local Board.
Takapuna Beach has made international headlines over the last year, with the World Splash Championships being hosted off our wonderful beach and the naming of The Department Store as the number one new retail store in the World by Monocle Magazine.
The world suffered an economic crisis, and all businesses have suffered, however Takapuna Beach has its lowest retail vacancy rate in 14 years and the lowest of the region amongst the major shopping districts. Assisting in this respect is the strong clusters of fashion, hair and beauty, children's stores and hospitality and entertainment as well as a number of destination stores attracting shoppers from throughout the region. I look forward to informing readers of what is happening in Takapuna Beach each month and hope you enjoy reading CHANNEL.
Cheers, Pete
New City Governance Structure offers exciting opportunities for Devonport-Takapuna
The amalgamation of the regions cities offers a number of opportunities for Milford, Takapuna and Devonport, all of which combine to form the new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Devonport and Takapuna are both gateways to the Auckland CBD, providing access within 10 minutes – Devonport through its ferry link and Takapuna via the Northern Motorway.
It has long been recognised that Auckland does not capitalise on its two tourism ports. Visitors arrive by air or sea, often spending only one night in the city before departing to the traditional tourism centres around the country. There is a real opportunity that visitors can travel by ferry across our beautiful harbour to visit Devonport with its historical charm, military links (including the tunnels and emplacements of Mt Victoria, Fort Takapuna and North Head), antique shops and harbourside dining. Takapuna provides tourists with strong fashion, hospitality, hair and beauty clusters alongside the best urban beach in New Zealand, where families can swim, fish, kayak, learn to sail, windsurf or just relax in the shade of the numerous trees lining the beachside parks, while mum spends time in the many destination stores.
The many events held throughout the local area are also of regional importance – The Devonport Wine and Food Festival, Takapuna Triathlon, North Shore City Grand Prix, numerous World Sailing events, Auckland Marathon and the quality performances held in the Bruce Mason Centre all attract participants and spectators from throughout the world.
Devonport offers both residents and visitors the only public access to our world renown Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf and also connectivity to other tourist destinations such as Waiheke Island and Matakana.
Residents may initially resist the amalgamation of the three town centres, however together they can prove to be a dominant force in the region. Takapuna will absorb most of the proposed intensification, allowing Devonport especially to retain its unique heritage values. In the same way Takapuna will provide some of the most desirable commercial tenancies in the region – 10 minutes to the CBD, however providing workers with the opportunity to walk the beach or relax beside the numerous crystal clear rock pools teaming with marine life at lunchtimes. The town centre provides a relaxed place to do business with fantastic views of the beach and gulf.
Exciting times in Takapuna
Minister Murray McCully’s announcement last week of the Governments intention to develop a National Ocean Water Sports Centre on Takapuna Beach (as featured on the facing page) was well received by businesses in the area. Sport plays a huge part in the lives of most New Zealanders and the North Shore is fast becoming the Melbourne of New Zealand with its vast array of international class sporting facilities. North Harbour Stadium, Rosedale Hockey Centre and The Millennium Institute of Sport and Health are all world class facilities and are significant contributors to the North Shore Economy. The National Ocean Water Sports Centre strengthens our claims to being the sporting capital of New Zealand and will ensure we continue to host many more World Sailing Championships in the future.
North Shore City Council has just released the Takapuna Strategic Framework Discussion Document (see feature article on pages eight and nine). This document looks at opportunities for the next 30 years of growth and change and how that might affect the future makeup, look and feel of Takapuna's buildings, streets and other public spaces. The framework will provide a direction for more detailed precinct planning and for the infrastructure and facilities needed to support the wellbeing of its businesses and residents. The framework is timely and the result of several years work. It is important to get the feedback of our community as we will all be effected by its implementation. Opportunities exist with the formation of the forthcoming supercity to lobby the new council that we have a framework that has been fully consulted on, has the buy in of the community and that resources need to be applied to ensure that it is carried through. Feedback on the document needs to be submitted to North Shore City Council by July 9th.
Takapuna Streetscape Improvements
Takapuna has been fortunate to receive its fair share of budget from Council over the last year. In December last year Council announced that it would allow two hours free parking; free after 8pm weekdays and all day weekends and public holidays in the Anzac and Killarney St carparks.
The sale of the NSH land in Albany has provided a $1 million dollar windfall to Takapuna with Council announcing that the Hurstmere Green redevelopment will be started earlier than originally planned. Also, over the last few months our main street has enjoyed an upgrade with the repainting of lamp posts and bollards, the replacing of all rubbish bins with stainless steel bins, new planting and new pebble bases under street trees. The cobbled lane between Hurstmere Road and the Anzac St Carpark has also been upgraded.
In addition to this many landlords have tidied up their shop facades, providing shoppers and visitors to Takapuna Beach with a more attractive shopping environment.
Takapuna Beach to benefit from Rugby World Cup
The announcement by the French Rugby Union that they will base their team in Takapuna Beach for the World Cup is exciting news indeed. The French have chosen to stay in Takapuna for a total of 25 days – this is more than any other team will stay at any other destination. The recent news report quoting the South African coach that the French had stolen a march over his team further demonstrates the high regard and desirability that visiting teams hold for Takapuna Beach. Considering their love of the cafe culture, we are bound to see many of the French players around our town centre enjoying the local hospitality. In addition we should see many French supporters visiting Takapuna Beach.
The Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) have agreed to make Takapuna Beach a Park and Ride destination for all World Cup matches played at Eden Park and North Harbour Stadium. Ticket holders will receive free transfers to matches from dedicated buses leaving at regular intervals before the match and returning at the conclusion. Obviously this will result in more people visiting Takapuna Beach and taking advantage of our strong entertainment and hospitality cluster. Match goers will have the opportunity to dine in Takapuna before the match, catch a bus to the stadium gates and then return to Takapuna to celebrate or drown their sorrows after the match.
Christmas on Broadway with...
