TOES AGM 31st August 2009
Chairman's Report
TOES is now into its second year and I believe in that time we have made a positive contribution by working with the range of agencies and harbour users to bring about an upgrade of the Onehunga Bay shoreline. TOES believes this will provide a quality area for our community and will become a foundation stone for future generations to develop and further enhance to ensure a quality outcome.
As a result of many lengthy meetings with politicians and officers at both local and at national level we were able to get commitment of $28 million from NZTA and ACC as their respective contributions towards the restoration of the Onehunga Bay foreshore.
While there are a number of issues yet to be resolved such as NZTA's $18m contribution being subject to ACC obtaining a consent from the ARC to undertake the work I am of the opinion that with the cooperation of all parties a consent will be granted to undertake the work.
The Manukau Harbour, particularly around Onehunga, has been damaged over the last 70 years with poor quality reclamations (domestic rubbish dumps), waste from the abattoirs being discharged into the harbour, and silt-laden stormwater entering the harbour, all of which have contributed to its deterioration.
Recently a consent was granted to reclaim a large area of seabed around the Paihia Wharf in the Bay of Islands. Part of the argument for granting the consent was that the area had been badly compromised over many years and was now of low public amenity value. Such arguments supporting reclamation can also be used here in Onehunga if it results in a much improved outcome for both the local and wider community. I believe that the Onehunga Bay shoreline over the last 30 years has been badly compromised and appropriate restoration can be justified under the rules that both DOC and the ARC operate under.
Local IWI have indicated to me that it is essential to get people back onto the harbour and the surrounding shoreline and only then you will give it life.
The Manukau Harbour sits adjacent to a large residential area yet harbour access to the public is not readily available. As activity on the Waitemata continues to increase and becomes congested the Manukau Harbour sits in isolation and not utilised. When the Manukau Harbour is provided with appropriate public access for recreational purposes it will become recognised that it is a valuable public asset.
As part of the Onehunga Bay foreshore restoration program ACC recently arranged a meeting for the 70 contractor's representatives preparing bids for the project. TOES made a presentation on behalf of the community regarding our early history and possible outcomes. From these initial design concepts ACC will select 3 parties to prepare for the next stage of the process where they are required to further firm up design and cost details.
ACC will then select the preferred proposal and at this stage they hope to appoint a contractor to undertake the work prior to Christmas this year.
Shortly TOES will be one of the key stakeholders to be involved with ACC's "Onehunga Precinct Plan - Reference Group" which forms part of the planning process for Onehunga.
We have also participated with the MHX team regarding the new high level bridge and initial discussions have commenced regarding possible outcomes for the area under the northern abutments on the new high level road bridge in particular to pedestrians cyclists and harbour users.
Recently TOES meet with representatives of POAL to discuss the long term issues regarding the Onehunga Wharf and as to how in the future it may be restored. POAL have recently commenced the re-cladding of their main wharf warehouse.
TOES continues to work with a range of community groups, including the Maungakiekie Community Board, seeking a better outcome for our community. We are also working a lot closer with the wider Mangere Community as we seek improved outcomes particularly around the new bridge. We hope this will ensure that when the "Super City" is implemented both communities will continue to enjoy a positive working relationship ensuring what is promised today will be delivered tomorrow under the new regime.
I am indebted to the continuing dedication and hard work of all members of the committee and welcome onboard TOES newest committee member Daniel Johnston. I cannot thank them enough for their ongoing efforts and look forward to working with them over the next 12 months as we seek a much improved outcome for the Onehunga Bay foreshore and this section of the Manukau Harbour.
Signed
Jim Jackson
Chairman
The Onehunga Enhancement Society (TOES)