Car parking city
THE DOWNTOWN CARPARK = GONE ❌
The Council now wants to sell the Downtown Carpark, to be torn down – along with its 1,500 parking spaces. Most will know, this is one of the few public parking options that services the downtown central business district and the only option for those who use the ferry to get to Waiheke.
They say the carpark presents a seismic "risk" – not now, but it could do in the future. But here's the thing, we understand the carpark could be seismically strengthened for a nominal cost, while developing above the carpark could return an additional $300m to Council *cough* ratepayers.
CUSTOMS STEET ACCESS = GONE ❌
The Council also wants to improve air quality and ultimately pedestrianise the CBD, so they are going to stop car access to Customs Street.
Neighbouring streets will become more congested as people will have to travel the around-about way to get across town. You see where this is going...
HOBSON STREET FLYOVER = GONE ❌
Council has also decided to demolish the Hobson Street flyover! This will make it even harder to travel east to west across the city!
You have to ask why, at a time of extreme rate hikes, and when households are cutting back, do we need another ideological reimagining of our CBD?
24/7 PARKING CHARGES = MONEY GRAB 🤬
Following a telling off from the Mayor, Auckland Transport delayed its 24/7 CBD parking charges to allow for (what is a completely insincere) consultation before a full roll-out in October.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.4% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.3% A week before Christmas
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33.3% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.