• Howick and Pakuranga Times

Lady Fisher’s wishes

I HOPE I’m misreading/misunderstanding the story by Marianne Kelly (Times, February 9) on developing the edge of the Tamaki River at Highbrook – and that the proposal in the Auckland Council Plan being thought about by the Howick Local Board does not mean loss of the lovely park along the estuary.

Long before the first sod was turned on the Highbrook development, when it was just a possible project on a plan and thoroughbred horses still grazed on what was Ra Ora Stud – the land on which Highbrook was established – Joyce, the late Lady Fisher of Ra Ora Stud, was emphatic that she wanted a park with walking and riding trails along the estuary edge.

“I remember riding along there as a girl,” she told me at Ra Ora. “I want future generations to have the opportunity to enjoy it, which is why we have included the park and walkways on the plan.”

It would be just like the not-so-super city to see this land as potentially commercial, and to blazes with people and a lovely rural-style environment close to the commercial heart of South Auckland, where if you are lucky you can occasionally still see hares playing.

The rest of Highbrook seems to have been developed with sensitivity and a degree of eye-appeal and attractive environmental elements, compared to some industrial estates.

I hope the trust set up by the Fisher family and the Howick Local Board will ensure Lady Fisher’s wishes are protected and preserved for the future, rather than grab at short-term financial gains.

Joan Gilchrist, Farm Cove

Property eyesores

I’M writing to pass on my observance of the declining general condition of the Howick, Pakuranga and Bucklands Beach areas.

Many sections appear to be unkempt with lawns and grass berms unmown and weed infested.

In my street, some lawns are left unmown for long periods, by which time they are eyesores.

I’m left wondering if these properties are rentals and only get a modicum of attention, to incur the least expense for landlords.

This is a lovely, desirable part of Auckland and it’s a shame to see the appearance of the area eroded through what can only be a reluctance to spend some money, laziness, or a couldn’t care less attitude.

Am I the only one who’s noticed this decline? Are there others also concerned and bemoan the poor appearance of a once desirable area?

What can we do? I recently complained for the third time to Auckland Council regarding unkempt properties. We’ve been promised a visit from the health and environment representative.

Secondly, despoiling our street have been contractors. They’ve been carrying out cabling repairs.

Footpaths, berms and residential properties still have not been reinstated. Piles of soil are left on people’s sections, and footpaths have gravel and stones where the cable access cuts were made.  How hard can it be to finish this job? Where is the supervision-management to drive the job to completion and to put the area back to how they found it?

Do others yearn for the time once again when standards and ethics are part of the work psyche?

Clive Beeching, Bucklands Beach