Updates from RRA on local news stories:

Ōhinerau – Mt Hobson

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority have completed their work upgrading the tracks and stairs on the eastern side of Ōhinerau – Mt Hobson to the tihi (summit). The current track network has been retained with new compacted aggregate and new timber stairs with hand-rails. All tracks are now open for public use.

Freedom Camping

Following consultation with the community, the Ōrākei Local Board (OLB) does not support freedom camping in any of the parks and reserves in the OLB area. They presented feedback to Council on 27 February 2019 requesting that all parks and reserves in the OLB area be deemed ‘prohibited from freedom camping’ to enable enforcement.

Palmers Garden Centre

The Ōrākei Local Board approved a new commercial ground lease term of 15 years to Palmers Gardenworld Limited over the land currently leased at 176-182 Shore Road, Remuera (Shore Road Reserve), commencing on 24 June 2020 with a final expiry date of 23 June 2035.

Wairua Reserve Playground

After a very long delay work has restarted on the Wairua Reserve playground. Children in the area have not had a local playground available since October last year.

Double-decker Buses

The double-deckers are now in operation on Remuera and St Johns Roads. We were concerned at the lack of consultation on the full scope of the project, in the consultation documents released last September, regarding the total amount of work the new buses would require in the town centre. The reduction in casual parking on Remuera Rd west of Victoria Avenue has resulted in a noticeable drop-off in retail activation in Remuera over the last 6 months.

Saint Kentigern Girls’ Land and Buildings Up for Sale

Saint Kentigern plans to shift its girls’ school for up to Year 8, and preschool for girls and boys from 3-to-4 years, to new purpose-built buildings within the campus of Saint Kentigern Boys’ School on Shore Road in Remuera, in 2022 and early 2023 respectively.