It has certainly been a very busy couple of months since we last reported to you, with several initiatives on the go. So in order:
First Project – 80 Waiheke Rd
After 9 months and truly exorbitant costs we have finally been granted Resource Consent by Auckland Council. AT (Auckland Transport) however continues to act in autonomous isolation from its parent Council to impose its suburban parking and sightline measurements in semi rural Waiheke at our additional cost and delay. We hope we can finally satisfy them this week without further changes, so their approval for the driveway can be issued.
This experience has been a truly surreal example of the zealous bureaucratic process Council seems to feel is justified. It’s a process that has added no value whatsoever to the design, only higher processing fees, holding costs and supply price increases.
Assuming Building Consents can now be gained within the statutory timeframes we can get on with the build. We will begin forming the driveway in early January so the house construction can commence by March. The first tenants should then be in by August. We are getting excited to welcome them to a great living environment.
We must acknowledge the valiant ongoing support of our architect Claudia Lapp. She has risen to the extraordinary pressure the RC process has put on her. As more and more detail was required she came through unfailingly with highly professional and timely responses. We could not have asked for a better attitude and thorough design competence.
Support Partnership
Bayleys Waiheke has generously agreed to provide the Trust with ongoing sponsorship towards running costs. We see strong mutual benefits from this ethical investment both in furthering the Trust’s aims and in helping people invest wisely in Waiheke property. We have asked the owner Mary Curnow to join us as a trustee, subject to the agreement of you our members at the upcoming AGM (see below)
Next Housing Projects
Given the indications of further financial support from our investors, we continue to look at the feasibility of purchasing an existing rental property with room to add tiny houses on the same site. Although the market has slowed it is still very hard to find well priced properties with suitable development potential.
We are also now looking to partner with other housing suppliers, individuals and institutions in developing larger sites that could accommodate a variety of potential end uses that help defray the Trust’s costs in delivering affordable rental housing. We’d welcome the opportunity to discuss such ventures in strict confidence with anyone interested.
We are also continuing to seek suitable working premises where we can build or finish sleepouts and small houses to order. These structures will house permanent residents, provide existing home owners with extra income, companionship and home help, as well as providing ongoing revenue for the Trust. We need a dry, lockable space at least the size of a double garage in a secure yard accessible by truck, where we won’t disturb neighbours.
AGM and Dinner
We are looking forward to sharing more detail and ideas with you at the AGM - 7pm Wednesday December 12 at Sustainability Centre. We hope you will all join us there and bring something to share for a Potluck Dinner afterwards at 7.30. The trustees are all fairly committed to these and other activities so we don’t currently have the capacity to plan any other social or entertainment events this summer. However we still want to initiate an annual summer event that benefits the Waiheke community and works as a significant fundraiser for the trust. Again your ideas and involvement in planning or staging such an event are welcome
Thank you all again for your support of the Trust to date. We will keep you regularly updated on progress in addressing our island’s serious and worsening lack of affordable rental housing for permanent residents.
Regards,
Paul Carew
Chair
