Main features of the development

Some of you may not be aware of the full size and scale of the proposed re-development, so I will outline the main features of the development below.

The plan is to demolish EVERYTHING on site, with the exception of six cottages in the southeast corner (MacPherson/Bonnie Brae corner).

The replacement buildings will be a number of 2,3,4,5 storey apartment blocks. These apartment blocks will house 240 apartments (one, two and three bedroom – the majority being 2 bedroom) and a 44 bed hospital. There will be a large underground car-park, and some above ground parking. It is expected that there will be approximately 450 people (residents & staff) on site once the development is completed - currently there are less than 170 people on site. A number of mature trees will be removed to make way for the apartments. The construction period is estimated to be anywhere between 5 and 10 years.

There are major implications resulting from the above, including:

• To create the underground car park large amounts of earth will be excavated – this has to be transported from the site, probably up Meadowbank Rd.
• Large demolition/construction vehicles up and down Meadowbank Rd and possibly other surrounding streets (including Harapaki and Fancourt)
• Noise and dust from the demolition and construction over a long period of time.
• Increased traffic up and down Meadowbank Rd and other surrounding streets (including Harapaki, Fancourt, Corinth) from the additional people on site
• Increase in the number of cars parked on surrounding roads – these are already congested with commuters using the train station
• Bonnie Brae Rd residents will be dominated by a 3 story apartment block overlooking their back-yards

Note that if the whole site was to be used for housing, the absolute maximum number of houses that could be built is 68 - somewhat less than the 240 apartments proposed. This is a HIGH density development. In addition, Qualcare are proposing to have 40% site coverage, whereas under the District Plan they are only allowed 35%.

Do you want 5 storey apartment blocks in our neighbourhood? Do you want this to set a precedent for other developments in the area?

I appreciate that a number of you have already acted by contacting me, but please do more – ensure that your neighbours know the full extent of the proposed development. Please get out and meet your neighbours and get them to contact me. We have put in a leaflet in most letterboxes in Meadowbank, but I'm sure that some leaflets were treated as junk mail.

Who is Qualcare?

Ownership:

32% - Hermitage Holdings (New Zealand)
27% - Qualcare Holdings NV (Belgium)
37% - Ironbridge Capital PTY Ltd (Australia)
4% - 4 individuals

Directors: 2 Australian based, 2 NZ based

Source: Companies Office website

Ironbridge is the company that has just purchased CanWest Media (TV3, Radio Live) and also has investments in things such as boat building, BBQ retailing, pharmaceuticals, and backpackers hotels. See - http://www.ironbridge.com.au/invest.htm

changes to plans

The above is an extract from a letter received today from Qualcare communicating some significant changes to their plans.

While most of these changes will be welcomed by MacPherson St residents, a number of aspects have not changed:

• There is no mention of changes to the size and bulk of the main development, therefore we can assume that it will still contain 3,4,5 storey apartment blocks. This means that the number of people on site will still be approximately 450, creating significant extra traffic along Meadowbank Rd and surrounding streets.
• We can assume that there is no increase in the number of car parks provided on site, therefore there is still the issue of increased parking on surrounding streets.
• Bonnie Brae Rd will be overlooked by 3 storey apartment blocks, and it is now planned to put an access road down this side of the site. I am note sure what "limited access for service vehicles" means. It has not be made clear where the main service access point for the complex will be.
• The proposal is still totally out of character with the surrounding residential area (zoned 6A and 2B)
• The 5 storey apartments are approximately twice the allowed height for the area, and the 3 storey apartments exceed the 8m height restriction.
• Some protected trees will still be removed.
• Significant earthworks will take place to create the underground car park - the excavated earth will have to be transported along local streets.
• Demolition/Construction noise, dust etc. over a long period (5-10 years has been variously stated by Qualcare)
  

Qualcare expect to lodge their Resource Consent application by the end of this month.

Please email me!

If you are reading this because you recently received a leaflet in your letterbox regarding this development, please email me:
actionmeadowbank AT slingshot.co.nz (replace the ' AT ' with '@' - I've written it like that to stop the spammers!).

By emailing me you will be kept informed of any news about the development and more importantly be informed when the resource consent application has been lodged. I can also provide further information about the concept plans that have been released by Qualcare.