With the local population projected to grow by 35 percent in the next 30 years, this shortfall will only continue to increase. Ponsonby Park, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road, is being developed to satisfy this ongoing community need.
The ‘needs analysis’ carried out as part of our (volunteer) community-led design process identified this gap as a place to meet, create new connections, engage in community-building and a place to host events to bring the community together.
Despite the Ponsonby Park project being temporarily delayed by the budget constraints imposed by COVID-19, it is still the Waitemata Local Board’s ‘One Local Initiative’ project.
We note the Waitemata Local Board has: “Confirmed that proceeds from the sale of a commercial building at 200 Victoria Street go to fund the Ponsonby Park project at 254 Ponsonby Road and urged [the Governing Body] that that project only be delayed by a year.”
We are hugely appreciative of the Waitemata Local Board’s ongoing support and advocacy work for Ponsonby Park on behalf of our community.
This month, on Wednesday 7 October, Independent Hearing Commissioners will (pursuant to section 34A of the Resource Management Act 1991) hear and determine submissions to ‘Proposed Plan Change 36’. This proposed plan change, amongst other things, seeks to: “Rezone land recently vested or acquired for open space purposes so that the zoning of the land reflects its purpose and intended use.”
We are pleased to hear that Council is recommending the zone change for 254 Ponsonby Road be accepted by the hearing commissioners. This zoning change will be the achievement of another significant milestone towards the realisation of Ponsonby Park, the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road. So, the Community-Led Design group will (Covid permitting) host a celebratory event once the plan change has been ratified.
You’re all invited and we will confirm the details soon. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, “Ponsonby Park” and on our on-site noticeboard for further information.
The vision for Ponsonby Park has always been of a place for people to gather, rest, relax and recreate; a place to meet new people, catch up with old friends, or to simply spend some time to take a moment. These things are even more important now.
We all need to be able to come together; to have the common ground and public spaces where both optimism and resilience can be nurtured and sustained. Ponsonby Park will be this place. (JENNIFER WARD)
Further information, to contact us or access archival documents, please visit our website www.254ponsonbyrd.org.nz
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