Volunteers have swung in behind the much-needed rejuvenation of the Beach Haven shops. So why is the Auckland Council withholding the money for it? Gia Dumo reports.
There's no dampening the spirit of Beach Haven's people these days - not even delays in funding for improvements through the area.
Work continues on murals to spruce up the shopping precinct while the Kaipatiki Local Board tries to wrangle $50,000 from the coffers of the new Auckland Council for major refurbishments.
Over the past couple of weekends volunteers from Haven Art and Birkenhead College Art Department have been painting a mural on a wall in the shopping centre on Rangatira Rd. It is part of the 1-year-old master plan in the Heart of Beach Haven Placemaking Project, which includes construction of the Rangatira Rd gateway, enhancement of the roundabout, construction of boardwalks and the formation of a central square and public space - a major makeover for the dated shopping centre.
Dominique Ray, from Birkenhead College, says: "I feel good about doing good for the community. When people drive by the mural they will feel happy and safer. And with a nice painting on it maybe there won't be so much graffiti on the wall."
Dominique and classmates Sung un Lee and Denny Yordonova volunteered for the mural after hearing about the project from their teacher. They and other members of the community submitted sketches to Neil Coleman, a local graphic artist, who heads the mural effort, helped by another local artist, Eion Bryant. Two more walls around the centre will also be decorated. Birkenhead Northcote Glenfield Community Facilities Trust provided money for the murals.
"It's just really nice to help and make our place better. We're also doing this because we love art," Denny says. And Erena Le Heron, a member of Haven Art, who attends with her daughter, Sophie, in tow, says: "It's a real privilege to work on this project."
However, other substantial improvements have been held up by a wall of bureaucracy. The previous North Shore City Council budgeted for, and announced, a $50,000 grant for the gateway rejuvenation. Leaders of the project still have not seen this money.
"We presented our master plan to the Kaipatiki Local Board meeting on February 8 and let them know about the funding issue," says Robyn Laurenson, who chairs Heart of Beach Haven Placemaking Project working group.
"It is now over a year since the first Beach Haven Placemaking workshop was held so we are obviously keen to see something coming out of the ground, and the community is beginning to wonder if it will ever happen."
Kaipatiki Local Board chairwoman Lindsay Waugh, says, "The fund is protected," but adds, "In the transition [to super-city governance] the pathway to get to the funding is a little tricky. It is a process which council has to go through. It's a management issue with council. There's no hold on [the funding] other than due process."
Ms Waugh says the Beach Haven scheme is already an achievement worth celebrating despite the hiccup over funding.
"The real success of the project has been the community coming together to take an interest in their local area," she says. "That's a win in itself. Placemaking is about people's involvement in their centres. It's a whole new way of doing things - it's going the extra mile.
"Council has committed time to work on the plans and bent over backwards for the project. I think it is now time for the community to work at council's pace, too, with the handover. The Local Board can't put unfair pressure on the council."
Ms Laurenson agrees. "Overall, we are feeling very positive about the Heart of Beach Haven Placemaking Project and the effect we hope it will have on Beach Haven."
Haven hopes
The Heart of Beach Haven group's plans:
- Gateways at Rangatira Rd and Beach Haven Rd to announce arrival at the suburb
- Murals reflecting a coastal theme painted on blank walls throughout the centre
- Enhancing the Rangatira-Beach Haven roads roundabout
- Putting powerlines underground to improve the look and provide better service to retailers
- A central square and public space at the intersection of Sunnyhaven Ave and Rangatira Rd, with seats, shade and artwork.
