North Shore City have just published this report for comment. The most significant local problem is how to prevent the Hurstmere Shops being wiped out by the Shopping Malls. The “Framework” does recognise the crucial feature that :
“ Takapuna Beach is the key point of difference- a stunning natural asset that we need to make the most of.”
But then the “Framework” gives up and offers no means “to make the most of” except a pious hope that improving the existing links, and the current scheme to waste a few million dollars on Hurstmere Green, may do the trick. Instead the “Framework” concentrates on creating “ A broad pedestrian Plaza” to link Hurstmere with Westfield Shore City, thus moving the centre of shopping yet further away from the Beach.
One of the most far-sighted acts of Anne Hartley’s first City Council was to buy the residential land between the shops and the Beach. What could have been a unique City / Beach development was unfortunately captured by the Greenies who turned most of this high value land into grass.
The land nearest the back of the shops became parking and a relatively unnecessary road. Today the shops are separated from the beach by a ‘Cordon Insanitaire’ of dead cars, irregular asphalt, uneven retaining walls and spotty planting, a strikingly unattractive Townscape.
Actually the ‘Broad Pedestrian Plaza ‘ should run the other way, towards the Beach and Rangitoto, from the Hurstmere shops to the edge of the reserve. At Hurstmere level the Plaza and new shops would go over the top and hide the present mess. A totally new Takapuna Restaurant Quarter could be built on the edge of the reserve , which might just“ make more of the Beach.’’, and attract more people to Takapuna.
Denys Oldham
Architect Retd . B.ARCH[NZ] FNZIA
6th August 2010