In 2023, Gill and Gundry was asked by Restoring Takarunga Hauraki (RTH), a local environment group well supported by the Devonport Takapuna Local Board (DTLB) with annual funding, to help them work on the abandoned bowling club on the Achilles Reserve land. This work was started without the knowledge of the DTLB and without landowner permission.
Most of the reserve land in the Devonport area is known to have contamination problems due to past uses and practices, and these areas are now considered to have toxic and poisonous gas issues. It is for these reasons that land advisory, a section of Council, closely monitors reserve land across Auckland. In the case of the bowling club, the DTLB must now seek advice and work with Council staff to ensure we meet the current regulations for the removal of the contaminated land at the Achilles site.
The skate park bowl on the Ngataringa Reserve faces similar problems. The bowl is cracking, leaving it with an uneven surface and sinking further down into the protective clay cap and under that surface lie the toxic gases. The DTLB is waiting for advice as to how to manage this problem. The DTLB cannot sanction the use of this bowl for health and safety reasons and will probably need to eventually fence off and find a solution. Do you remember the outcry when a woman tried to light a campfire in Ngataringa Park? There is a reason we do not have barbecue facilities on these reserves.
Locating the small skate facility on Woodpark Reserve has also presented problems. I used the 1947 GSI Council map to locate the extent of its tip area. Neither RTH at their Lake Road nursery nor the Community Garden next door is permitted to plant into the soil of these premises; it’s part of their lease agreement, as they must plant above ground and not disturb the ground soil.
These are the important issues that the DTLB must administer when considering the public’s use of reserve land. It’s in everyone’s interests, including the neighbours. They are the people who deserve an apology.
As Chair of the DTLB, I am now working with the other Northern Local Boards to change Council's 'procurement contracts'. This will allow the Northern Local Boards to source local contractors to quote and undertake Council work in our areas. I look forward to finally working with local companies that are proud of their ability to help with local projects.
Trish Deans, Chairperson of the Devonport Takapuna Local Board
