The Puketapapa Local Board has hired an engineering and design consultancy firm, Harrison Grierson, to investigate partial preservation or re-development of the Liston Village.
Harrison Grierson have proposed nine options. Many of the proposed options indicate room for expansion and the development of new one and two-bedroom units.
The 25-unit village was established in 1984 for people over 60 on low incomes.
But the Auckland Council proposes to demolish the Village.
They want to use the land to to extend Monte Cecilia Park in Hillsborough.
Legacy Auckland City Council agreed to acquire the land over a period of years from the Auckland Catholic Diocese in 2010.
Residents have right-to-occupy agreements. That means they can stay for the rest of their lives or until they choose to leave.
Those opposing the demolition say the proposal to extend the park is problematic.
They highlight the lack of social housing options for the elderly.
“We have a housing crisis in Auckland and if we don’t provide this kind of social housing for our seniors many will be thrown out of our community,” says Puketapapa Local Board member Michael Wood.
But the Auckland Council community and social policy general manager Kataraina Maki says the purchase of the land is being funded through development contributions for open space.
“This funding does not allow the land to be used for any purpose other than open space,” she says.
“Any change to the proposed use of Liston Village would require the council to refund the development contributions.”
Source
- stuff.co.nz
- Image: stuff.co.nz
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