Thank you for your support - now have Newshub coverage

Thank you for your support by signing this petition. You are very much appreciated. The resounding feedback is, "I had no idea this is what is going there.... I thought is was going to be the original 2x 2 storey and 1x 3-storey standalone homes that was proposed."

We are definitely getting people's attention. Newshub has just published an article here: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/12/meadowbank-auckland-resident-starts-petition-against-development-ockham-boss-says-they-need-to-be-ignored.html 

Here is our rebuttal from talking to you in the street or as you contact me directly. 

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Rebuttal to Todd's Comments on Meadowbank Development: An Argument for Community and Informed Planning

In response to Mr. Todd's dismissive statements regarding our concerns about the proposed eight-story development in Meadowbank, I want to clarify our position and address the factual inaccuracies presented. Our petition is not driven by wealth or age, but by a genuine desire to protect our community and ensure responsible development.

Concerns Beyond Age and Wealth: 1.      Transparency and Public Input:

Our primary concern is the lack of public notification, denying residents the opportunity to voice their concerns about the project's potential impact on infrastructure, parking, sunlight, and the overall character of the neighbourhood.

If this project goes ahead, it will set a precedent that will completely change the face of Meadowbank, and every suburb near a transport hub across NZ. Public engagement is crucial for informed decision-making, not an inconvenience to be ignored.

2.      Unsustainable Shadow and Infrastructure Strain:

Mr. Todd downplays the impact of shadows on nearby homes, while conveniently neglecting the additional strain this development will place on already taxed infrastructure like roading, waste collection, and the sewage system.

Is Mr. Todd going to now pay for the increased electricity bills these shadowed houses will pay to heat them in the winter or provide light in the summer? The majority of the homes in the shade of this 8-storey building are owned by Kāinga Ora. Who represents them? Who pays? What will happen with the current sunny backyard the children at Kapua St run around in when it is permanently in shadow - dark, cold and covered in mold? Sit on the couch and watch TV?

What if 100’s of these 8-storey blocks are built next to each other – two metres apart from each other? What is the potential fire risk or creation of massive wind tunnels? These concerns are legitimate and deserve a thorough assessment, not dismissal.

3.   Housing Affordability:

Mr. Todd estimates the apartments will sell for between $700,00 and $2 million. We find those figures extremely ‘conservative’. The penthouse apartments for that price? A bargain. But does that price include one of the 18 car parks for the 40 units? Unlikely. 

Who is the target buyer for these apartments? This development is not solving the housing crisis for the poor and middle-class. It is about maximising profit at the expense of the local community.   

4.   Community Character and Quality of Life:

There is a deep concern about the potential loss of community cohesion and quality of life. Development shouldn't come at the expense of the very things that make a neighbourhood special.

Mr. Todd is previously quoted to say [1] "A lot of property development is driven by private sector interest, historical expertise and just land development," Todd said.

"It shouldn't be private land owners or developers driving and pushing for where that development. Instead, communities should be able to come up with an overall plan as to how they want their urban environments to develop”, he said.

This is exactly what we, the Meadowbank community, are asking for! 

The controversial ‘PC78’ national policy that Mr. Todd refers to has the potential to replace 100’s of houses in the Meadowbank area with multi-storey apartments anywhere you can walk for 15 minutes from the train station. Is this what the 5000+ people who reside in Meadowbank want? Or the people of any suburb in NZ that has a ‘transport hub’ running through it?  

 

Moving Beyond Divisiveness:

Mr. Todd's characterisation of concerned residents as "rich older people" is divisive and unproductive. The median age of Meadowbank residents is 37.9 years old with a median income of $47k. Our petition represents a diverse range of residents, young and old, homeowners and renters, all united by a desire for responsible development that considers the needs of the entire community.

Instead of demonising dissent, we should strive for an open and transparent dialogue that acknowledges and addresses concerns. Public notification is not a political game, but a fundamental right that enables informed decision-making and ensures communities have a say in their future.

Our petition is not about stopping progress but about ensuring that progress happens responsibly and with due consideration for the existing community and its character. We urge Mr. Todd and the council to engage in meaningful dialogue, consider the concerns of residents, and prioritise sustainable development that respects both the built environment and the human aspect of our neighbourhood.

As Mr. Todd has been quoted in the media before, “communities should be able to come up with an overall plan as to how they want their urban environments to develop.” Maybe these are just words, and his actual agenda is quite different.

Together, we can create a development plan that benefits both existing residents and the city as a whole without sacrificing the character and community spirit that make Meadowbank special.

Please spread the word and encourage your friends and family to sign. Especially if you know they live near their own suburban transport hub (train or bus) and are concerned about stealth developments lurking...

Let's protect our neighbourhoods and advocate for responsible development that serves the needs of everyone.

Sincerely, the residents of Meadowbank, Auckland.

[1] https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/02/19/housing-plans-too-driven-by-business-developer/