Monday, May 18, 2009
Super City? We're a Super Town!
So, what's in it for Helensville when we become part of the new Auckland Super City? Not a lot, I suspect.
It's a fairly common feeling around these parts - and arguably justified - that we are already something of the 'poor cousin' within Rodney District (in a Helensville website poll in 2006, 94 percent of respondents said Helensville wasn't treated fairly compared to other Rodney communities for civic amenities and design, while in another in 2002 75% thought the area was treated either only averagely or poorly).
I don't see our treatment improving once we are lumped in with every other town all the way down to somewhere in the nether regions of South Auckland (will that become South Super-City I wonder?).
But am I worried?
No, not really, because we already live in a super little town - and while the benefits of belonging to the super city may prove to be thin on the ground, the detriments probably will too. Perhaps the best thing would be for the super city powers to largely ignore Helensville, and let us keep our historic little town pretty much the way it is.
My dream would be for the 'super council' to set up something like a new 'heritage zone', designating a town like Helensville as an area where 'big box' chain stores like The Warehouse and fast food outlets like McDonalds aren't allowed. I realise it's already too late for that, what with Placemakers, Mitre 10 et al already lining Mill Road. But maybe we can keep the town from losing any more character.
My opinion on the super city may be a minority one, however - judging by the (so far small) number of votes on the current Helensville website poll ("Will Helensville suffer when Auckland becomes a single 'Super City'?") almost 80 percent of respondents think Helensville will be worse off once the super city comes into effect.
Is that just natural pessimism? Time will tell, I guess.
It's a fairly common feeling around these parts - and arguably justified - that we are already something of the 'poor cousin' within Rodney District (in a Helensville website poll in 2006, 94 percent of respondents said Helensville wasn't treated fairly compared to other Rodney communities for civic amenities and design, while in another in 2002 75% thought the area was treated either only averagely or poorly).
I don't see our treatment improving once we are lumped in with every other town all the way down to somewhere in the nether regions of South Auckland (will that become South Super-City I wonder?).
But am I worried?
No, not really, because we already live in a super little town - and while the benefits of belonging to the super city may prove to be thin on the ground, the detriments probably will too. Perhaps the best thing would be for the super city powers to largely ignore Helensville, and let us keep our historic little town pretty much the way it is.
My dream would be for the 'super council' to set up something like a new 'heritage zone', designating a town like Helensville as an area where 'big box' chain stores like The Warehouse and fast food outlets like McDonalds aren't allowed. I realise it's already too late for that, what with Placemakers, Mitre 10 et al already lining Mill Road. But maybe we can keep the town from losing any more character.
My opinion on the super city may be a minority one, however - judging by the (so far small) number of votes on the current Helensville website poll ("Will Helensville suffer when Auckland becomes a single 'Super City'?") almost 80 percent of respondents think Helensville will be worse off once the super city comes into effect.
Is that just natural pessimism? Time will tell, I guess.
# posted by Dave @ 11:28 AM 
Comments:
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will we lose the 'heritage zone' and aspect of helensville, by allowing a multi story building and compacted housing complex to be built?
is it ok to lose a building which is: part of helensvilles early history,part of the early industry in nz,and part of the early dairy sector in nz?
it is not derelict nor is it condemned,it is sound and yes in need of repaintiing & reglazing to improve appearance,in need of rewiring & reroofing in parts to enable usage.
there is a large amount of land for sale in awaroa road with residential zoning,quite suitable for a retirement village if one is so required by the residents.there is a heritage hotel quite suitable and waiting to be restored and put to use again.if 40-50 million dollars can be spent in helensville, it needs to be put into the town to create employment opportunities,that is the biggest need,not more overpriced housing and rentals.
industrial zones should be kept as such,for opportunites to prosper.the idea of having a small town,with residential numbers far out numbering areas for employment,will not help a town to grow or even survive.it is known amongst retailers that when people are working outside of helensville,they are more likely to spent their money outside of the retail areas in helensville. the only people who will gain financial success from this housing development if it gets off the ground, will be the out of town investors,and the council,and the rest of us will continue to struggle to keep our heads above water.
my vote is to retain and restore part of helensvilles history,it has stood proud and strong for a lot of years,just like the rest of us,and lets find ways of increasing longterm employment opportunities..
yes-'we are not a super city,but we are a super town'.
is it ok to lose a building which is: part of helensvilles early history,part of the early industry in nz,and part of the early dairy sector in nz?
it is not derelict nor is it condemned,it is sound and yes in need of repaintiing & reglazing to improve appearance,in need of rewiring & reroofing in parts to enable usage.
there is a large amount of land for sale in awaroa road with residential zoning,quite suitable for a retirement village if one is so required by the residents.there is a heritage hotel quite suitable and waiting to be restored and put to use again.if 40-50 million dollars can be spent in helensville, it needs to be put into the town to create employment opportunities,that is the biggest need,not more overpriced housing and rentals.
industrial zones should be kept as such,for opportunites to prosper.the idea of having a small town,with residential numbers far out numbering areas for employment,will not help a town to grow or even survive.it is known amongst retailers that when people are working outside of helensville,they are more likely to spent their money outside of the retail areas in helensville. the only people who will gain financial success from this housing development if it gets off the ground, will be the out of town investors,and the council,and the rest of us will continue to struggle to keep our heads above water.
my vote is to retain and restore part of helensvilles history,it has stood proud and strong for a lot of years,just like the rest of us,and lets find ways of increasing longterm employment opportunities..
yes-'we are not a super city,but we are a super town'.
# posted by 
: 3:37 PM
: 3:37 PM
where have the police gone to in helensville lately???...we desperately need a new community constable and some officers out on the beat, showing a presence in this town..henderson police are a bit confused about whats going on up here as well, which raises concern!.. drugs,robberies,theft and other crimes are increasing about the place, and a few unsolved serious crimes still on the books..write to john key, get him to do something..he can't even sort the p problem in his own backyard and he thinks he can solved the problem in the rest in nz!!..what a joke!.
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# posted by : 11:26 PM
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