Hi Kennedy Park WWII heritage supporters.

It’s been a wee while since our last update and that’s largely because we’ve been in a holding pattern, waiting on Devonport-Takapuna Local Board and Auckland Council to gather the necessary information to inform their decision-making.

However, we’re pleased to report some recent progress. Yesterday, 10 October 2023, DTLB held a workshop with Council officers to review cost estimates for the refurbishment of the historic barracks house at 139 Beach Road. The costs presented were lower than previous estimates and, in our view, reasonable.

There was good discussion around the table and there appears to be a real desire to get on with the job after many years of neglect, which is positive. Of course, things are never as simple as they seem with Council, and there are the usual budget shortfalls and competing priorities with other heritage sites to be considered.

We’ll keep you updated as and when we have something to report. In the meantime please do sign and share the petition with your own networks and help keep the preservation of Kennedy Park’s incredibly valuable WWII heritage top of mind for DTLB and Auckland Council.

Thanks for your support,

Hamish Anderson – President, Castor Bay Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association

Chris Owen – Chair, Kennedy Park WWII Trust