It’s make or break time – the moment has come for you to tell Panuku Development Auckland what you really want to happen to the site at 40 Anzac Street. This is your last opportunity to influence the future of Takapuna and determine whether it sees a significant upgrade or it stays as it is.
Tell us whether you want us to go ahead with the proposed redevelopment, or to stop now before the first spade goes into the ground.
For more than eight years this project has been in the works. The direction first came from North Shore City Council, where the Anzac Street carpark was identified as a prime site for development and an anchor for the upgrade of Takapuna. Further direction came from the Devonport Takapuna Local Board's Takapuna Centre Plan.
In 2015, the Local Board submitted to the Council and requested that Panuku make Takapuna a priority development site. The last Council unanimously supported the development of council land in Takapuna, enabling public good projects like new public spaces, alongside investment by the private sector to provide retail, hospitality and homes. Private sales are used to fund public development, with both parts contributing to public good outcomes.
Perhaps this is best outlined in the 2017 Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Plan: “The Anzac Street carpark sits right in the centre of Takapuna, and its size and location provide an exciting opportunity for great open spaces, new shops, business and places to live that unify the heart of Takapuna. This project has the goal of creating a more connected and attractive town centre.”
The plan includes a new carpark on the Gasometer site, with entries at 14 Huron and 15 Northcroft streets, and to develop Anzac into open, public space, surrounded by shops, businesses and homes that unify the heart of Takapuna. A large town square would be owned by Council. The surrounding development would be owned privately, with the sale conditional on specific public good outcomes being met. Think of it as Takapuna’s version of Wynyard Quarter or the regeneration of New Lynn town centre.
Most recently, Panuku has been working with the community to determine where the town square should be located. The feedback has shown two design options: Option One locates the town square between Lake Road and Hurstmere Roads – it’ll be sunny and safe, with strong links from Shore City and the bus stops to the beach. It will have views of Rangitoto and can accommodate large events – particularly in conjunction with Hurstmere Road.
Option Two locates the town square adjacent to Potters Park. It is sheltered from the winds and has strong connections to the existing Potters Park, meaning it could accommodate large events – especially in the summer.
In response to those who do not support this project, Option Three is the ‘do nothing’ approach.
Because all ten Panuku developments across Auckland are reinvestment projects, there is no funding to build on the Gasometer site or develop a new town square without the partial sale of the site.
Option 1 and 2 also unlock funding to upgrade bus facilities and streetscapes. Option 3 does not.
As Mayor Goff has said a number of times, this is not about forcing change on anyone. Panuku is being asked by many suburbs to come upgrade and develop their areas, and the need for development in Takapuna put it high on the list.
Take five minutes and invest it in the next 50 years – do it today, do it now. Tell your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. Share it on Facebook. Put a notice on your local community page.
Visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/haveyoursay or visit panuku.co.nz/Takapuna for more information.
