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Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
29 April 2025
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Annual Plan
2025-2026: local board consultation feedback and input
File No.: CP2025/06713
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To
receive consultation feedback from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area on:
· proposed
priorities, activities and advocacy initiatives for the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board Agreement 2025/2026
· regional
topics for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
2. To
recommend any local matters or advocacy initiatives to the Governing Body for
consideration or decision-making as part of the Annual Plan 2025/2026 process.
3. To
provide input on the proposed regional topics in the Annual
Plan 2025/2026.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
4. Local
board agreements outline annual funding priorities, activities, budgets, levels
of service, performance measures and initiatives for each local board area. The
2025/2026 local board agreements will be included in the Auckland
Council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026.
5. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2025 to gather community feedback on the proposed Annual
Plan 2025/2026. This included consultation on the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2025/2026 to be
included in their local board agreement, and key
priorities and advocacy initiatives for the Annual Plan
2025/2026.
6. Auckland Council received 13,016 submissions in total across the
region. 677 submissions were made on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
430 submissions were received from submitters that selected Devonport-Takapuna
as their local board area including seven organisations. A detailed analysis on
these submissions is provided in the analysis and advice section of this
report.
7. As part of the Annual Plan process, local boards provide
recommendations to the Governing Body for consideration or decision-making.
This includes any local board advocacy initiatives. The Governing Body will
consider these matters during the Annual Plan decision-making process in May
and June 2025, including:
· any
new/expanded business improvement district, or change to their rating
mechanisms
· any
new/amended local targeted rate proposals
· the
release of local board specific reserve funds
· any
other local board advocacy initiatives.
8. Local boards have a statutory responsibility to provide
input into regional strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws. This report
provides an opportunity for the local board to provide input on council’s
Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board:
a) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on
the proposed Devonport-Takapuna Local Board priorities and activities for
2025/2026.
b) whiwhi / receive consultation feedback on
regional topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026 from people and organisations based in the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
c) tuku / provide input on regional topics in the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 and key advocacy initiatives to the Governing Body.
Horopaki
Context
9. Each
financial year Auckland Council must have a local board agreement (as agreed
between the Governing Body and the relevant local board) for each local board
area. The local board agreement outlines how the Council will reflect
priorities of the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Plan 2023 in respect of the
local activities to be provided in the local board area, and also includes
information on budgets, levels of service, and performance measures.
10. The Local Board
Agreements 2025/2026 will form part of the Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026.
11. Auckland Council publicly consulted from 28 February to 28 March
2025 to seek community feedback on the proposed Annual
Plan 2025/2026. The consultation content included information on regional
proposals to be decided by the Governing Body, and information on the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s proposed priorities for 2025/2026 to be included in their local board agreement, and key local board priorities and advocacy initiatives for
2025/2026.
12. Local
boards have a statutory responsibility to identify and communicate the
interests and preferences of people in their local board area in relation to
the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
13. This report includes analysis of consultation feedback, any local
matters to be recommended to the Governing Body and seeks input on regional
topics in the proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Consultation
feedback overview
14. As part of the
public consultation for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 Auckland Council used a
variety of methods and channels to reach and engage a broad cross section of
Aucklanders to gain their feedback and input into regional and local topics.
15. In
total, Auckland Council received feedback from 13,016 people in the
consultation period. This feedback was received through:
· written
feedback – 10,011 hard copy and online forms, emails and letters.
· in
person – 3,001 pieces of feedback through 89 Have Your Say events (2 of
which were held in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area)
· Neurodiverse
Online Audio – four feedback forms
16. Four hundred and
thirty (430) submissions were received from residents that said they live in
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area. 430 were from individuals and seven from
organisations.
17. Two hundred and
forty-seven submissions were received from residents that said they live
outside the Devonport-Takapuna area but indicated their response relates to
Devonport-Takapuna.
18. All
feedback will be made available on an Auckland Council webpage called
“Feedback on the Annual Plan 2025/2026'” and will be accessible
after 22 April 2025 through the following link: https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/annual-plan-2025-2026/feedback-annual-plan-2025-2026.
19. During the consultation period, the question “What do you
think of our proposals for our local board area in 2025/2026?” was
discovered to be missing from the online feedback form, affecting 125
submissions for Devonport-Takapuna Local Board (around 1,700 submissions in
total). The issue was later corrected, and affected submitters were contacted
with a link to provide feedback on this question before the consultation closed
on 28 March. Of the affected submissions, 52 submitters responded to the
missing question (894 in total). A review was conducted to identify the cause
of the error and prevent similar issues in the future.
Information on submitters
20. The graphs below provide an overview of
demographic categories people identified with. This information only relates to
submitters living in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area who provided
demographic information:
Feedback received on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s
priorities for 2025/2026 and the Annual Plan 2025/2026
21. The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board consulted on the
following local priorities for 2025/2026:
· Priority 1:
Progress the planning and development of the Takapuna Community Hub
· Priority
2: Support local environmental groups to
work with volunteers to clean up, manage and plant our local reserves and open
spaces contributing to better outcomes and more weather resilient spaces.
· Priority
3: Continue to maintain and enhance
community facilities, including parks and sports fields, libraries and
community venues to meet community needs
· Priority
4: Progress the Devonport-Takapuna Local
Parks Management Plan and refresh of the local boards Greenways Plan
· Priority
5: Support our flood impacted
communities as their neighbourhoods change by offering ways and places to
connect and share experiences and information.
· Priority
6: Develop a Wairau Catchment Water
Quality Action Plan that will ensure future decisions take advantage of
existing reports and advice.
· Priority 7: Support
initiatives identified in the Devonport-Takapuna Ethnic Communities Plan in
collaboration with the relative representatives of our ethnic communities.
22.
677 submissions in total were received on
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board’s priorities and key advocacy initiatives.
23. Additionally, the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board asked
for feedback on which three services listed were most important to each
submitter. The graph below provides an overview of how submitters prioritised
each service.
Key themes
24. Community feedback across the Devonport-Takapuna area
shows strong support for maintaining core infrastructure, protecting the
environment, and ensuring council spending reflects community priorities.
25. Water quality and flood risk, especially in the Wairau
Catchment, are major concerns, with residents backing practical, equitable
solutions and stronger support for local eco-groups.
26. There is wide appreciation for parks, libraries, and
green spaces, with calls for better maintenance in high-use areas and mixed
views on large-scale projects like the Takapuna Community Hub and the future of
the Takapuna Golf Course.
27. Residents
want basic services done well — clean toilets, safe footpaths,
well-maintained facilities — and are frustrated by what they see as
wasteful or overcomplicated council spending. Sports and recreation are seen as
essential, with support for more artificial turf fields and youth-focused
amenities.
28. Arts
venues and local events are valued for fostering connection and creativity,
though many want improved coordination and communication. Views on cultural
inclusion were mixed; some questioned the relevance of ethnicity-based plans,
while others suggested practical steps like language support and interfaith
outreach.
29. Transport
concerns were frequent, especially around Lake Road congestion, poor footpath
and cycleway links, and expensive but underused infrastructure. Support exists
for public transport if well designed.
30. Residents
want more investment in town centre upkeep, cleanliness, and local business
support, with a clear message to prioritise essentials and community benefit
over new, low-impact projects.
31. Consultation feedback on local board priorities will be
considered by the local board when approving their local board agreement
between 10-12 June 2025. Local board key advocacy initiatives will be
considered in the current report.
Overview of feedback received on regional topics in the Annual
Plan from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area
32. The proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 builds on the
Long-term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP), setting out Auckland Council’s priorities
and how services and investments are proposed to be funded. Consultation on the
proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026 asked submitters to respond to key questions
related to:
· The overall
plan
· Destination management and major events
· Changes
to other rates, fees and charges
· Local board priorities.
33. Submitters
were also encouraged to provide feedback on any of other matters included in
the Annual Plan 2025/2026 consultation
document.
34. The submissions received from the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board area on these key issues are summarised below, along with an
overview of any other areas of feedback on regional proposals with a local
impact.
Key
Question 1: Overall Plan
35. Aucklanders were asked whether they support the overall
plan including prioritising investment
in:
· transport
· water; and
· fairer funding for local communities.
36. The consultation document for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 also
outlined the proposed funding approach which includes a 5.8 per cent rates
increase for the average value residential property, consistent with the LTP,
and additional debt financing to fund $4 billion in capital expenditure.
37. The
proposed 5.8 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property
for 2025/2026 includes the following proposed rates changes:
· An average general rates increase of 6.40 per cent for
existing ratepayers
· an average increase of 3.5 per cent to the Natural
Environment Targeted Rate (NETR) and Climate Action Transport Targeted Rate
(CATTR) for existing ratepayers, as set out in the LTP
· an average increase of $2.12 in the Water Quality
Targeted Rate (WQTR) to cover the operating and interest costs for the
programme, as set out in the LTP
· a 3.3 per cent increase to the overall Waste Management
Targeted Rate (WMTR) for the typical household.
38.
The graphs below gives an overview of the responses
from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
Key Question 2: Destination management and major
events
39. Aucklanders were asked for feedback on a bed night visitor levy paid
by those in short-stay commercial accommodation, to fund destination
management, marketing and major events. Without such a levy, a $7 million
budget shortfall for the 2025/2026 financial year could impact the funding for
major events that are expected to attract visitor expenditure, such as the ASB
Classic, Auckland Marathon, and Auckland Writers Festival.
40. A
bed night visitor levy of 2.5 to 3 per cent paid by those in short-stay
accommodation would raise around $27 million annually to fund even more
destination management, marketing and major events activities in Auckland.
However, this requires central government legislative change. Auckland Council continues to work with central
government on this, with public
feedback helping to inform this work.
41.
The graphs below give an overview of the responses
from the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.
Key Question 3: changes to other rates, fees and
charges
42. Aucklanders were asked to provide feedback on
proposed changes to certain targeted rates and some fees and charges as outlined below.
Waste management rates changes
43. Aucklanders were asked whether they support applying the Refuse Targeted Rate to
residential and lifestyle properties in Franklin and Rodney to fund the
council’s rubbish collection service, replacing the current system of
purchasing rubbish bags.
44. Starting in 2025/2026, residential and
lifestyle properties in Franklin and Rodney will be charged a refuse targeted
rate for the first time. Franklin's rate will cover a full year of service,
while Rodney's will be about 83 per cent of the full charge due to its
scheduled September 2025 start date. Additionally, from July 2025, waste
management services and targeted rates will be introduced in Manukau's
commercial areas where the service isn’t presently available.
45. There were 152 submissions from the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board area which referenced these fees. The key themes from the feedback
received were concerns for rates increases, support for a PAYT rubbish
collection system, and encouraging waste reduction. There was also opposition
to paying for unused waste collection services.
Changes to fees and charges
46. Other proposed changes to fees and charges included in the
consultation document for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 include:
· changes to some animal management fees including an
increase in the dog adoption fee from $350 to $450 and an increase vet fee from
$75 to $150
· fees for some cemetery and cremation services
· realigning bach fees into pricing tiers based on
occupancy levels, capacity, and location
· aligning staff charge-out rates with staff pay bands for
services in regional parks
There were no submissions from the
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area which referenced these fees.
Any other feedback
47. Aucklanders were asked if they had any other comments. Key
themes of note across other areas of feedback received included:
· General
support for the proposal
· Wasteful
spending
· Transparency,
communication, and engagement
48. Mana whenua iwi with interests in the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board area (Ngaati Whanaunga, Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua, Te
Patukirikiri, Te Kawerau a Maki,Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Ahiwaru, Ngāti
Tamaterā, Ngati Maru Runanga, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
Trust) gave feedback as follows:
Partnership
& Governance
· Stronger Iwi Involvement: Many groups (e.g., Ngaati
Whanaunga, Te Patukirikiri, Ngāti Tamaterā) call for co-governance
roles, formal representation, and genuine partnerships with Auckland Council.
· Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Affirmation of Treaty obligations,
with emphasis on shared decision-making and honoring Māori leadership
across all council processes.
Transparency
& Accountability
· Funding Clarity: Concerns raised (e.g., Ngaati Whanaunga)
about transparency in mana whenua funding and the Māori Outcomes Fund.
Several recommend iwi-led reviews and better reporting mechanisms.
· Consultation Practices: Repeated calls for early and
meaningful consultation, not just after decisions are made.
Cultural
Protection & Investment
· Asset Safeguarding: Requests to protect culturally
significant sites (e.g., Ngaati Whanaunga, Te Ahiwaru) and halt disposals
without iwi consent.
· Cultural Revitalization: Support for initiatives like Te
Kete Rukuruku, indigenous arts, and place name restoration.
Environmental
Stewardship
· Kaitiakitanga: Calls for iwi-led ecological initiatives,
pest management, and water restoration projects (e.g., Te Kawerau a Maki,
Ngāti Maru).
· Fire Risk Management: Ngāti Whātua
Ōrākei raises concerns about unmanaged fire hazards on maunga,
proposing controlled grazing strategies.
Economic
Development & Housing
· Equity & Opportunity: Calls for prioritizing
Māori businesses in procurement, investing in youth employment, and
promoting Māori tourism.
· Papakāinga & Urban Development: Support for
Māori-led housing (e.g., Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Ahiwaru), including
co-developing housing strategies with iwi leadership.
Resourcing
& Capacity
· Capacity-building: increased support for Māori
entities to fulfil regulatory functions and staffing (e.g., Te Kawerau a Maki's
request for rangers and officers).
· Long-term investment: Emphasis on sustainable, iwi-led
development rather than short-term funding.
Recommendations on local matters
49. This report provides for the local board to recommend
local matters to the Governing Body for consideration as part of the Annual
Plan process, in May 2025. This includes:
· any
new/amended local targeted rate proposals
· any
new/expanded business improvement district, or change to their rating
mechanisms
· release
of local board specific reserve funds
· local
advocacy initiatives.
Local
targeted rate and business improvement district (BID) targeted rate proposals
50. This does not apply to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Local
board specific reserve funds
51. This does not apply
to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for the 2025/2026 financial year.
Local
board advocacy
52. Local boards can also agree advocacy initiatives which
considers the consultation feedback above. This allows the Governing Body to
consider these advocacy items when making decisions on the Annual Plan
2025/2026 in May.
53. The advocacy initiatives approved by the local board will
then be included as an appendix to the 2025/2026 Local Board Agreement
Local board input on regional topics in the Annual Plan 2025/2026
54. Local boards have a statutory responsibility for
identifying and communicating the interests and preferences of the people in
its local board area in relation to Auckland Council’s strategies,
policies, plans, and bylaws, and any proposed changes to be made to them. This
report provides an opportunity for the local board to provide input on
council’s proposed Annual Plan 2025/2026.
55. Local board plans reflect community priorities and
preferences and are key documents that guide the development of local board
agreements, local board annual work programmes, and local board input into
regional plans such as the long-term plan and annual plan.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
56. The decisions recommended in this report are part of the
Annual Plan 2025/2026 and local board agreement process to approve funding and
expenditure over the next year.
57. Projects allocated funding through this Annual Plan
process will all have varying levels of potential climate impact associated
with them. The climate impacts of projects Auckland Council chooses to
progress, are all assessed carefully as part of council’s rigorous
reporting requirements.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
58. The Annual Plan 2025/2026 is an Auckland Council Group
document and will include budgets at a consolidated group level. Consultation
items and updates to budgets to reflect decisions and new information may
include items from across the group.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
59. The local board’s decisions and feedback are being
sought in this report. The local board has a statutory role in providing its
feedback on regional plans.
60. Local boards play an important role in the development of
the council’s Annual Plan 2025/2026. Local board agreements form part of
the Annual Plan. Local board chairs have been invited to attend Budget
Committee workshops. Local board members were provided recordings or briefings
of the Budget Committee workshops for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
61. Many local board decisions are of importance to and
impact Māori. Local board agreements and the Annual Plan are important
tools that enable and can demonstrate the council’s responsiveness to
Māori Outcomes.
62. Local board plans, developed in 2023 through engagement
with the community including Māori, form the basis of local board area
priorities.
63. Some projects approved for funding could have discernible
impacts on Māori. For any project or programme progressed by Auckland
Council, the potential impacts on Māori, will be assessed as part of
relevant reporting requirements.
64. Analysis of consultation feedback received on the
proposed Annual Plan includes submissions made by mana whenua, matawaaka
organisations and the wider Māori community who have interests in the rohe
/ local board area.
65. Ngā Mātārae led the council-wide approach
to engagement with Māori entities. This included:
· Three information sessions
for mana whenua
· Five information session for
mataawaka organisations
· One hearing style event for
mana whenua, Māori organisations and community groups.
66. Nineteen mana whenua entities have interests in the
Auckland Council rohe. 13 of the 19 (68.42%) responded
to the Auckland Council’s proposals for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
67. Mana whenua
feedback comprised 6 oral submissions to the Governing Body, and 6 written
submissions.
68. Māori comprise 7.8 per cent
of the population in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area. 31 submissions from people who identify as Māori were received
from people residing in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area. This represents 6% of total submissions.
69. The following mana
whenua and mataawaka organisations gave feedback on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
priorities:
· Ngaati Whanaunga
· Te Runanga o Ngāti Whātua
· Te Patukirikiri
· Te Kawerau a Maki
· Te Ākitai Waiohua
· Te Ahiwaru
· Ngāti Tamaterā
· Ngati Maru Runanga
· Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
70. The local board provides input to regional plans and
proposals. There is information in the council’s consultation material
for each plan or proposal with the financial implications of each option
outlined for consideration.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
71. The council must adopt its Annual Plan, which includes
local board agreements, by 30 June 2025. The local board is required to make
recommendations on these local matters for the Annual Plan by mid-May 2025, to
enable and support the Governing Body to make decisions on key items to be
included in the Annual Plan on 28 May 2025.
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
72. Recommendations and feedback from the local board will be
provided to the Budget Committee for consideration as part of decision-making
for the Annual Plan 2025/2026.
73. The local board will approve its local content for
inclusion in the final Annual Plan 2025/2026 (including its local board
agreement) and corresponding work programmes in June 2025.
74. The
final Annual Plan 2025/2026 (including local board agreements) will be adopted
by the Governing Body on 25 June 2025.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
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No.
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Title
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Page
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a⇩
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FEEDBACK TEMPLATE - Annual Plan 2025-2026 local board
input
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19
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b⇩
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DTLB Annual Plan Feedback - Community Feedback
Overview
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21
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Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
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Authors
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Lisa Kent - Local Board Engagement Advisor
Henare King - Local Board Advisor
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Authoriser
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Trina Thompson - Local Area Manager
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Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
29 April 2025
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Approval of
the proposed concept design and additional funding for playground renewal at
Knightsbridge Reserve, 60 Knightsbridge Drive, Forrest Hill.
File No.: CP2025/06956
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To seek approval of the proposed concept design and
additional funding from the Devonport – Takapuna Local Board for the playground
renewal at Knightsbridge Reserve, 60 Knightsbridge Drive, Forrest Hill, and to
progress the project to detailed design and
construction.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. The
renewal of the Knightsbridge Reserve playground was identified via strategic
assessment by staff as an asset renewal project. This project
contributes to outcomes of the Auckland Plan by ensuring that council’s
portfolio of community facilities supports the broader outcomes of preserving,
protecting and caring for the natural environment and Auckland’s shared
cultural heritage.
3. On
18 June 2024, The Devonport-Takapuna Local board allocated $309,600.00 towards
the renewal of the playground. The project was approved by the local board as
part of their 2023/2024 Customer and Community Services work programme
(resolution number DT/2024/95).
4. The
project supports the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Plan 2023:
· Our people – We value inclusivity, diversity and resilience
· Our environment – Our natural and built spaces are cared for
and we put water quality and the environment front and centre
· Our places – Our infrastructure supports growth, and our safe,
efficient transport offers diverse travel options.
· Our community – Has access to quality services in facilities
that meets their needs
5. Consultation
with the local community took place in November 2023 through the Auckland
Council Have Your Say webpage.
6. Community
meetings were conducted at Forrest Hill School and with the North Shore Chinese Community Network Trust in November 2023.
7. Online
and in-person feedback informed the development of two playground concept
designs for the Knightsbridge Reserve playground.
8. The
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board indicated a preference for Option 1 at the July
2024 workshop. They also indicated for staff to carry out further investigation
to refine the construction cost estimate and present it to the local board
again for consideration.
9. The
project team involved the contractor through an early engagement process to
carry out a site survey, investigation of drainage, a play equipment condition
assessment and construction methodology to provide an approximate physical
works cost estimate. Following the investigation, the concept design Option -1
has been refined and updated to fit the site conditions.
10. The updated concept
design and the refined cost estimates were presented to the Devonport –
Takapuna Local Board at a workshop on 01 April 2025.
11. The
Devonport - Takapuna Local Board indicated support for the updated concept
design and refined cost estimate requiring additional funding of $61,000.00.
12. The Devonport -
Takapuna Local Board also recommended and supports the installation of a water
fountain, sports equipment box and cherry blossom trees to be planted around
the reserve.
13. Once the concept
design and additional funding is approved, staff will aim to deliver the
project by December 2025. This milestone will be dependent on securing Asset
Owner approval, resource consent (if needed) and availability of play
equipment.
14. Progress updates on
the project will be provided to the local board as part of the Local Board Work
Programme quarterly reports.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Devonport-Takapuna
Local Board:
a) whakaae / approve the proposed concept design for playground renewal at Knightsbridge Reserve as per attachment
A of the agenda report and request staff to progress the project to detailed
design and construction.
b) whakaae / approve an additional $61,000.00 from the
FY2025/2026 work programme to be reallocated to the Knightsbridge Reserve
playground renewals project
Horopaki
Context
15. Knightsbridge
Reserve is located at 60 Knightsbridge Drive, Forrest Hill. There is an
existing pathway which connects the playground from Knightsbridge Drive and
Keldale Place. This reserve is surrounded by residential properties as shown
below.
Figure 1: Location
plan of Knightsbridge Reserve
16. Areas of
Knightsbridge Reserve are within flood plains and prone to flooding, it acts as
a stormwater detention area which results in significant water accumulation
from the surrounding landscape, creating access issues for both walking and the
playground, particularly during winter.
17. Poor drainage
severely impacts the playground play surfaces, causing compacted, muddy safety
surfacing. Asset audits have identified the play equipment to be in poor
condition.
18. There is very
limited play equipment at this reserve which does not fulfil the ongoing needs
and demands of the growing community.
19. As
a part of the Devonport - Takapuna Local Board’s 2023/2024 Customer and
Community Services work programme, the local board in 18 June 2024 approved a
project to develop Asian inspired concept plans for the playground renewal at
Knightsbridge Reserve (resolution number DT/2024/95).
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
Consultation / Engagement
20. Community
engagement was conducted through the AK Have Your Say website, receiving 29
responses, and in person meetings were held at Forrest Hill School on 15
November 2023 and another with the North Shore Chinese Community Network Trust
on 21 November 2023. The community consultation aimed to understand the
public’s perspective on the function of the public place, cultural
representation and overall amenities of the play space. Consultation feedback is attached to the report as
attachment B.
21. Based on the feedback received, two concept designs have been
developed for the Knightsbridge Reserve playground:
Option 1: Asian inspired dragon themed playground with
badminton court / event space.
Option 2: Asian inspired dragon themed playground excluding
the badminton court / event space.
22. In July 2024, the
two playground options were presented to the local board at a workshop.
23. An assessment of
each option considering constraints, risks and estimated cost was discussed
with the local board at the workshop.
24. The local board
supported design Option 1 at the workshop in July 2024
Themes from engagement
25. Further community
feedback received indicated a preference for design concept 1.
Key aspects include:
· play
– nature play, swing, spinning, slide
· structures
– Asian themed seat, seat in shade area, shade sail
· cultural
play – table tennis, badminton, skipping ropes
· events
– lanterns, dancing, taichi
· planting
– edible garden, sensory planting, planter boxes, Asian garden.
26. Detailed
stakeholder feedback analysis is attached to the report as attachment C.
Options assessment
27. A summary of the
options of the playground renewal is outlined in below
Table 1: Options assessment for the development of
playground renewals
|
Options
|
Criteria
|
Finance / budget
|
Comments
|
|
Strategic alignment /Local
Board Plan 2023
|
Risk
|
Implementation
|
CAPEX
(preliminary estimate only)
|
|
Option 1 – Asian inspired dragon themed play area including badminton court /
event space
|
Less
impact on the natural environment or climate change
|
Increased carbon emissions caused by the
construction process
|
No action
|
$370,600 (includes professional services fee, time charges,
approvals, construction cost)
|
An upgraded
playground is an investment in the community’s well-being, providing a
valuable space for recreation, social interaction and healthy development. Badminton can be inclusive as enjoyed by people of
all ages and abilities, it encourages physical activity and promotes
well-being. A flexible event space also promotes social interaction and wider
connections within the community.
|
|
Option 2 - Asian
inspired dragon themed play area excluding badminton court / event space
|
Less
impact on the natural environment or climate change
|
lesser carbon emissions caused by the
construction process as compared to option-1
|
No action
|
$345,600 (includes professional services fee, time charges,
approvals, construction cost)
|
An upgraded
playground is an investment in the community’s well-being, providing a
valuable space for recreation, social interaction and healthy development.
This option provides fewer social outcomes for the community compared to
option 1
|
Preferred option
28. A revised concept
design option 1 has been developed based on community feedback using the design
features of an Asian inspired dragon. The proposed design incorporates both
existing and new specimen trees. Refer to attachment A for more detail.
Figure 2: Approved
Concept Design
29. The proposed
concept design includes an Asian inspired dragon themed play area as shown
below.
Figure 3: Dragon
themed play space
30. Other play
equipment and assets selected for the play space include:
|
Swing
|
Carousel
|
Dragon trail natural play with
slide mound
|
Double timber see-saw springer
|
|
Badminton court
|
Table tennis table
|
Pergola over two picnic tables
|
Garden trail
|
|
Bench seat
|
Sports storage box
|
Water fountain
|
Cherry blossom trees
|
31. The images below
show the indicative play equipment and planting proposed for this project.
Figure 4:
Indicative play equipment
Figure 5:
Indicative planting
32. It is recommended
that the local board approve the proposed concept design option, as attached to
this agenda report (attachment A) and to allow
the project to continue to detail design, procurement and
construction.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
33. The council’s
climate goals as set out in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri:
Auckland’s Climate Plan are:
· to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero emissions by 2050
· to
prepare the region for the adverse impacts of climate change.
34. It is anticipated
that there will be an increase in carbon emission from construction, including
contractor emissions. Staff will seek to minimise carbon and contractor
emissions as much as possible when delivering the project.
35. Maximising the
upcycling and recycling of existing material, aligned with the waste management
hierarchy (prevention, reduction, recycle), will also be prioritised to ensure
minimum impact. With this project, some of the
stored pavers from the Auckland Council yard will be used under the pergola and
wherever possible, the project will aim to reuse of the existing materials on
site.
36. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions will be
achieved through sourcing of low-carbon material options (including
sourcing materials locally) and the use of
products with environmental declarations for embodied carbon reductions.
37. The proposed concept design includes new tree to provide natural
shade for the playground users and potential further reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions.
38. Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions will be
achieved through sourcing of low-carbon material options (including
sourcing materials locally) and the use of
products with environmental declarations for embodied carbon reductions.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
39. Council
staff from within the Community Directorate (Parks and Community Facilities
operational management and maintenance and Community Wellbeing) have been
consulted. They are supportive of the renewal as it will improve the quality of
the asset.
40. The
project will deliver significant improvements to needs of community surrounding
the area.
41. Collaboration with
staff will be ongoing to ensure that the development of the park and play space
is integrated appropriately into the operational maintenance and asset
management systems once completed.
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
42. The Knightsbridge Reserve Playground renewals project
will benefit the community by delivering a safe, high-quality asset and
expanding recreational opportunities in parks and open spaces.
43. Two options were
initially presented to the local board at July 2024 workshop, along with assessment
of each option including constraints, risks and estimated costs. The local
board indicated support for the concept design Option 1. The local board requested
further consideration of,
· installing
the water fountain closer to the playground
· planting
cherry blossom trees
· community
sports equipment storage box
44. The revised concept
design, incorporating changes requested by the local board and feedback
received from stakeholders (community, groups etc), was presented to the local
board at a workshop on 01 April 2025. The local board indicated support for the
revised concept design at that workshop.
45. The project aligns
and support the Devonport - Takapuna Local Board Plan
2023:
· Our People - We value inclusivity, diversity and resilience
· Our Environment - Our natural and built spaces are cared for and we
put water quality and the environment front and centre
· Our Places - Our infrastructure supports growth, and our safe,
efficient transport offers diverse travel options
· Our Community - Has access to quality services in facilities that
meets their needs.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
46. Auckland
Council is committed to meeting its responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi
and its broader legal obligations to Māori. These commitments are
articulated in the council’s key strategic planning documents, the
Auckland Plan, the Long-term Plan 2024-2034, the Unitary Plan (operative in
part), Whiria Te Muka Tangata Māori Responsiveness Framework, Kia Ora
Tāmaki Makaurau - Māori Outcomes Performance Measurement Framework.
47. Parks and reserves
are taonga (treasure; anything highly prized) and hold significant importance
to mana whenua. Developing a network of neighbourhood parks that provide for
all ages and abilities will positively benefit the health and wellbeing of mana
whenua and the wider community through increased recreation provision.
48. There is
approximately 6.2 percent of Māori within the Devonport – Takapuna
Local board area.
49. As
the project is a renewal of the existing playground and with no major impact on
mana whenua, no iwi consultation has been undertaken.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
50. The total budget of
$309,600.00 has been approved by the local board for this project.
|
Budget source
|
FY23/24
|
FY24/25
|
FY25/26
|
Total ($)
|
|
Renewals Budget
Required
|
|
|
|
$370,600.00
|
|
Total
allocated budget
|
11,180.47
|
27,869.57
|
270,549.96
|
$309,600.00
|
|
Additional
Budget Required
|
|
|
61,000
|
$61,000.00
|
51. The estimated cost
to deliver the playground renewal is $370,600.00 including professional
services and contingency. This estimate includes the recommended play items in
this report.
52. Further funding of
$61,000 to be allocated from ABS Renewals Capex is requested to meet the budget
required to deliver the playground at Knightsbridge Reserve
53. It is proposed that
once approved, the increased funds will be prioritised in the
Devonport -Takapuna Customer and Community Services Capex Work Programme
2025/2026. The Devonport - Takapuna Work Programme Lead has been notified of
this requirement, and it has been included in the draft work programme.
54. In
March 2025 the local board provided direction to staff to not proceed with
funding disc golf and the Paererea project in the 2025/2026 work programme and
to instead offer project management costs to work with the community groups on
these two projects. This has resulted in some savings, which can be
redirected to meeting the increased costs for the Knightsbridge Playground
renewal.
55. The
updated work programme will discussed with the local board in May, showing the
increase requested for Knightsbridge. This proposed increase has no adverse
effect on any other projects due to the savings identified in the draft work
programme discussions with the local board in March 2025.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
56. The following risks
and mitigations have been considered:
|
Risks identified
|
Mitigation
|
|
Health &
Safety
|
|
|
Public are exposed
to unsafe conditions during construction phase
|
Individual sites
will be fully fenced off from the public with signage alerting the people of
work taking place, however vehicle movement may be required between
individual worksites which will need to be managed well.
|
|
Stakeholders
|
|
|
Expectation of
stakeholders, community groups or others leasing areas of the park.
|
Engagement with
external stakeholders, iwi and community groups through the detail design
phase and when preparing to close the playground.
|
|
Budget
|
|
|
Budget is not
adequate
|
The local board is
requested to approve further funding allocation of $61,000 from the ABS Capex
Renewals budget in financial year 2025/2026.
|
|
Resource Consent
and asset owner approvals
|
|
|
Possible
delay in receiving necessary approvals
|
Tree
owner approval is required and potentially a resource consent due to work
around existing trees.
|
|
Construction
|
|
|
Poor weather during
construction may delay delivery
|
The construction
programme is schedule for summer when ground conditions and the weather is
suitable for installation.
|
Ngā koringa ā-muri
Next steps
57. The table below
summarises the anticipated next steps and estimated delivery timeframes for the
project. The estimated timeframes assume successful and timely completion of
each identified project step. Unforeseen delays in the procurement of a design
and / or build partner have the potential to delay completion of the project
beyond the identified timeframe
|
Project
phase
|
Planned
completion timeframe
|
|
Detailed
design
Once
the concept design option is approved by the local board, the development of
the detailed design can be progressed.
Resource
consenting will be included within this phase
|
April
- May 2025
|
|
Procure
physical works contractor/build partner
The
tender will be submitted to a suitable contractor as per the procurement
guidelines.
|
June
– August 2025
|
|
Physical
works
Accurate
commencement and duration of the physical works will be dependent on the
availability of play equipment, it is envisaged between the dates
specified.
|
September
– December 2025
|
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
a⇩
|
Knightsbridge Reserve - Developed Concept Design
|
41
|
|
b⇩
|
Knightsbridge Reserve - Consultation feedback
|
53
|
|
c⇩
|
Knightsbridge Reserve - detailed stakeholder feedback
analysis
|
123
|
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Author
|
Ravi Chandrappa – Senior Project Manager
|
|
Authorisers
|
Eloi Fonseca – Manager Area Operations
Trina Thompson - Local Area Manager
|
