The end is nigh for Lyall Bay - lol
Anger at beachfront housing plans
MATT CALMAN - The Dominion Post | Wednesday, 02 July 2008
Bay residents are bristling at the suggestion of six- storey towers being erected along the waterfront.
A zone of beachfront land from Maranui Surf Club to Kingsford Smith St, on Wellington's south coast, is one of 11 areas identified by Wellington City Council as suitable for intensive development to accommodate projected population growth of 44,000 by 2051.
The council says three- to six- storey apartments could make room for 250 dwellings and an extra 400 people. Other suggested development areas include the town centres of Tawa, Johnsonville and Kilbirnie. Some areas have been recommended for character protection, including parts of Mt Victoria, and most of the south coast.
At a public meeting this week to discuss the possible development of Lyall Bay, Katherine Smyth was upset the area had been "singled out" as unworthy of character protection.
"How dare someone dictate that? I used to feel it was one of Wellington's best-kept secrets [but] more and more it's become loved."
Opening the prime beachfront property to developers would be dangerous and would risk leaving a "cheap tacky version of Surfers Paradise that never came off", she said.
Stevo O'Rourke, who lives and works in Lyall Bay, said it would be irresponsible to allow intensive development after surface flooding, storm surges and extreme rainfall in recent years had placed strain on existing buildings. He would welcome improvements to the area but said anything taller than two storeys would cast shadows over the beach and block existing views of the hills.
Councillor Andy Foster said Lyall Bay was not considered for character protection because the quality of the buildings along the waterfront was poor. The council was trying to respond to population growth in a sustainable way by encouraging development close to town centres and public transport and each area could have rules tailored to protect character. "We're not trying to ruin the city, we're trying to make it better."
Local surfer Ruckus O'Rourke said developers must be "rubbing their hands together" at the council's plans for Lyall Bay.
"I reckon it's a jewel in the crown for Wellington. It's a fabulous beach and part of that is the community down there. Even though someone's home is not the idea of a beautiful house, those people make the area."
Council urban development and transport director Ernst Zollner said the six-storey scenario was unlikely to happen, but change in Lyall Bay was inevitable.
"I don't know where six storeys came from. The six-storey thing is just bizarre. But we need a vision for Lyall Bay."
Council officers unveiled their proposals at six public meetings around the city during June. People have till July 14 to make submissions on the plans.
