Minutes of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

12 August 2025

1 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

There were apologies from Chair M Powell.

2 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

There were no declarations of interest.

5	Local Board Workshop

Item 1 – 9.30 – 10.00

Activation of parks, places and open spaces in 2024/2025 and draft 2025/2026 programme.

Presenter/s: Sanjeev Karan Activation Team Manager

Ruth Barraclough Activation Advisor

Governance role: Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s: Provide feedback on policy options

The local board was provided with an update on 2024/2025 Activation Programme Results in the Devonport-Takapuna area.

· For 2025/2026 work programme staff recommend an increased focus on water-based and wheeled activities.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Questioned whether the Waka Ama / Give It a Go event was delivered in partnership with a club. Staff advised they had worked with the Māori Outcomes Advisor and mana whenua.

· Stressed the importance of activations for adults, noting incorporation into existing activities rather than creating new ones, whilst supporting local businesses delivery partners.

· Sought clarity on the minimum budget to run the Activation programme. Staff advised $20,000 is required to market and deliver the programme

Next Steps:

· Staff to engage with groups identified and provide a draft activation programme for FY25/26 via memo by the end of September, with delivery planned for October 2025 to align with Play Month.

Item 2 – 10.00 – 11.30

Te Uru Tapu - Communication updates

Presenter/s: Steph Westmore Senior Project Manager

Eloi Fonseca Manager Area Operations

Kirsten Dovey Urban Solutions

Steve Krebs Urban Forestry Specialist

Governance role: Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s: Provide direction on preferred approach

The local board was provided with an update on the Te Uru Tapu project, including engineering options, cost estimates, and concept designs.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

Naturalisation of the path north of the site

Sought clarity on the “self-healing” feature of organic lock path option.
Noted desire for permeability in path option
Clarified cost estimates include the removal of the existing path.

Closure of staircase entrances from beach

Noted that a timber fence would be more appropriate than metal, and any fencing must not obstruct view the grove.
Sought clarity on the costings of the options presented and their effect on other parts of the project. Staff advised that the costs are interconnected, but current figures are only feasibility estimates and are subject to change.

Reinstatement of boundary fence

Sought clarity on tree maintenance responsibility. Staff confirmed it sits with Council.
Questioned the possibility of removing the fence for cost savings. Staff advised this would require engagement with residents
General agreement that this was a lower priority than other aspects of the project.

Extension of stairs from public lookout

Support the proposal. Request to add a handrail for safety and accessibility and ensure stairs are integrated into the path design.

Seawall extension

· Sought clarity on proposal and expressed concern about coastal erosion. Staff advised there is currently no risk to tree roots, minimal bank movement, and no significant safety risk.

Improvements to stormwater outlets

Stormwater work is out of scope for this project and should be passed to Healthy Waters for future consideration.

High tide passage

Preference for the concrete path design that allows future additions and aesthetically matches the area.
Request that staff explore public use of the land held in private ownership on Takapuna Beach to ensure pedestrian access at high tide. Staff advised that negotiations would be complex.

Next Steps:

Staff to provide a memo update on the non-build elements of the project.
Further workshop scheduled for February 2026.

Item 3 – 11.30 – 12.00

Hurstmere and Kitchener Roads

Presenter/s: Kyle Martin Senior Transportation Engineer

Marilyn Nicholls Elected Member Relationship Manager

Brian Yip Consultant, Eliga

Jun Park Principal Transportation engineer

Vishak Balasundaram Transport Engineer Traffic Operations

Governance role: Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s: Provide direction on preferred approach

The local board was provided with an update on the Kitchener Road and Hurstmere Road safety project:

· Follow-up from a workshop on 22 July

o Staff reported back on crash history data as requested by the local board, noting that parked cars are still the primary factor involved in incidents.

o Revised option for improved road delineation and minor upgrades, considering slipperiness of road marking and removing side flush.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Clarified that recorded incidents involved all types of road users.

Next Steps:

· A report will be considered by the local board at its September business meeting.

30 Minute Break

Item 4 – 12.30 – 1.30

Woodall Park Skatepark Project

Presenter/s: Xavier Choi Project Manager

Governance role: Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s: Provide direction on preferred approach

The local board was provided with an update on the Woodall Park Skatepark project seeking feedback on the proposal.

· A revised concept was presented, with a reduced skatepark footprint that retains elements requested during community feedback but removes planting and shade sails, these changes keep the project within budget allocation.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Noted the local board’s tight budget and raised concern around the risk of another project being overspent impacting this one.

· Noted that the proposed skatepark size has been reduced but concern that the location sits further out into the park. Staff advised that this was due to a service pipe running underneath the area identified for the skatepark.

· Clarified the cost of the shade sails in the concept would be approximately $50–60k. Staff confirmed shade sails are not included in the current cost estimates.

· Raised concern about noise from the skatepark. Staff advised that consideration of noise was incorporated into the skatepark’s design and will be mitigated where possible.

· Requested cost estimates for extra planting and a rubbish bin.

· Expressed concern that earlier consultation indicated planting that would benefit both residents and skaters.

· Raised concern that the proposed layout will not provide for advanced level skaters.

· Suggested shelving the project and reallocating funds to improve another project.

· Questioned if the proposed skatepark would contribute to flooding in the surrounding area. Staff advised they have included adequate drainage design to mitigate any flooding.

· Questioned whether the redesign has been recirculated to the community and skaters. Staff clarified that they have engaged with the community, who are satisfied that key features remain despite the reduced footprint.

· Requested clarity on the Woodall Park Management Plan, current park status, and risks before making a decision.

Next Steps:

· Staff to answer questions raised by the board and respond back via an email

Item 5 – 1.30 – 2.30

Ngataringa - Dacre Park comprehensive renewals

Presenter/s: Ravi Chandrappa Senior Project Manager

Governance role: Work programme updates

Proposed Outcome/s: Provide direction on preferred approach

The local board was provided with an update on feasibility report findings for the Dacre Park comprehensive renewals project.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Supported the recommended concrete stair entrance from the shared path at the western side of the park.

· Concerns raised for the lifespan of the current retaining wall, staff advised it could sustain for another two years. The local board was not supportive of the concrete block gravity wall due to cost and indicated preference for options 2 or 3.

· Requested alternative path options at lower costs.

· Unanimously supported the proposed safety fence.

· Noted an error in contingency budgeting and requested staff bring back corrected figures.

· Requested staff to indicate what parts of the project could be brought forward, staff to investigate and report back.

Next Steps:

· Staff to return to the board with answers to the questions and initiate construction within this financial year.

The workshop concluded at 1.46pm.

Deputy Chairperson	Terence Harpur	Acting Chair
Members	Peter Allen
	Gavin Busch
	George Wood, CNZM