Posts by Nobody Important
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did I say finish? okay, just this bit ...
A more valid argument perhaps is that Ponsonby's residents are already among Auckland City's most privileged burghers and that perhaps the money might have been better spent in Avondale, Glen Innes, or Mt. Roskill.
Definitely a point I agree with! The well heeled citizens of Kohi can stop a motorway but the folks out in Roskill are shit out of luck.
Now if everyone will get out their Wises road maps and look at Map 1 ... I think you'll see that Ponsonby is well served with parks and reserves. There are plenty, everyhwere (I won't bore you with a list).
definately my last post on this subject; I'm no threadhog
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what Steve Curtis said
This thread has split into two discussions, one from an aside I made earlier. RB will probably want us back on topic so I'll just finish with this thought (continuing the discussion on reserves) ...
Can anyone explain (in plain english) why we have to acccept the idea of the Tank Fram turning into Appartment Blocks and Commercial Buildings? The land is owned by the Ports Of Auckland which is owned by the ARC who are supposed to be in charge of parks and reserves for greater Auckland. So why can't they just make it a park?
The argument is that the land is too 'valuable' to waste on a park, and that developing it will cost too much and this will need to be 'offset' by allowing commercial development. Which is why they plan an 'iconic' 50m high building at the very tip of the peninsular. I'd much rather an open headland where children can play and see the sea, but no, they want a building taller than the Vodaphone building on Fanshawe Street. The Urban Planners say this will 'anchor' the development.
Okay, if they must sell off land for development to offset costs why not think latterally? Redevelop Victoria Park into commercial building space, and create (move?) a new Victoria Park on the old Tank Farm. The current Vic Park is slap bang in the middle of major transport routes, whereas the new Vic Park could be off on its own and possibly alot more peaceful.
Unlike Wellington, Auckland central really is cut off from its waterfront. The Tank Farm is the last chance we have to reclaim some. Once its turned to office/apartment blocks its gone (much like the railway land at Newmarket, now there's no room to build a decent Terminal)
[apologies to non Auckland readers who don't know what we're talking about]
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In the meantime Council's income from the lease helps off-set the purchase price - I can't recall how by much, but it's a pretty significant amount.
Er ... I think you mean an INsignificant amount. Which is why they're hanging on til 2009 (which almost gives the council enough time for resource consent to demolish and landscape). I don't know the figure either but I recall it being pretty low. One half of the building is essentially an outlet store.
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All we need now for pure spectator enjoyment is for Gore to jump into the race.
Damn straight but it aint gonna happen. Gore has only just overcome his 'Loser' status (undeserved) with his Oscar 'win' for An Inconvenient Truth so he's not going to risk that by entering a Primary Race he might not win. Because then he'd be labelled 'Loser' again ...
American 'Democracy' is one sick puppy. S/he with the most gold rules.
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There is little to suggest that "Spending for Africa" is a phenomenon that is limited to the Left
Don't get me wrong - I'm an equal opportunity whiner! You should have heard me bitch about all the money Banksie & C&R spent on the viaduct. $40 million on Maritime Square alone, largely for the benefit of the local apartment owners.
If we, quite reasonably, want people out of their cars, certain amnenities need to be brought to them.
Really? So we spend $7million to buy a commercial property and Lawd knows how much more to demolish it and then landscape it?
And besides, if it's too far for the folks at 3 Lamps to walk to Western Park, then surely it's just as far for the folk living at the Western Park end ...
The Link Bus will take you from 3 Lamps to Western Park for $1.60. Too expensive I know (the Link is a rort for short trips) but cheaper than a car and you don't need to look for carparking. And in summer we can all walk or ride bicycles. And on special event days Vodafone (or someone) will provide a free shuttle bus looping up and down Ponsy Rd ...
Utopia! (and less than $7+million)
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Howick to Pt. Chev is 1 hr 21 minutes, on 2 buses, at a cost of $9.70
That presumes the buses connect on time and you're not waiting around; which you invariably do. It's a 2 hour trip, but only if Jesus is your bus driver.
BUT the more pertinent question is - if someone, say, works in Pt. Chev and chooses to live in Howick - why should their fellow Aucklanders fund motorway building, and degrade their city, to facilitate this long-distance travel habit?
I don't drive to Taupo either so why should I pay for a State Highway? Let's toll that and make the users pay?
Last year one of the lefties on council was bitching in the Herald about old ppl complaining about rates. She proudly explained how her parents had shifted out of their Mission Bay home and moved to somewhere smaller, out of Auckland City, where the rates were cheaper.
What's my point? None really (just having a dig at at socialist councillors who have no qualms about financially punishing the pensioners). But my elderly pensioner parents do live in Howick, and enjoy my visits.
... and BTW I'm all in favour of a PT levy on petrol; seems easier than microchipping cars and 'tolling' them at various times of the day for various areas. Of course, once we've microchipped all the cars we can 'fine' them instantly because the computer will confirm that they travelled from Tranponder A to Transponder B in excess of the legal speed limit ...
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I still haven't forgiven TVNZ for what they did to The Sopranos ...
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Oh yes ... one more thing ...
I was one of the "anyone but Banks" brigade too. Told all my friends to vote him and his ilk out. But then got the shock of my life when The Left took control. Guess I was the dumbRs too. Why do I hate the Left? Well I don't hate them but they always spend for Africa whenever they get into power. And they don't just spend, they play catch up on all those projects they were rebuffed on when they were the minority.
Case in point: Penny Sefuiva spending $7million dollars to buy the Liquor King site on Ponsy Rd so the Ponsy residents can have 'a Town Square'. FFS! I'm a Ponsy resident and I don't need a town square! And besides, what about all that dead space by Western Park? Could have a nice 'Town Square' at that end, and it would be well used by those living/working in the new development they're putting on the old yeast factory (whatever they finally build) ...
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I don't have a problem with the letter inasmuch that the sender has given their name and sources for the claims they make ie they're not hiding who they are. Its all part of the political realm. And to be fair Simpson & Caughey DID sucker their ward by claiming to be centre right and then siding with the left once elected. But then to be fair, again, their key platform was to stop the eastern arterial and that was only going to happen with the help of the left. So I guess the voters in their ward can blame themselves for being such dumbRs'es ~ which presumes the voters in that ward were all right of centre. Maybe the ward has swung left? I dunno
As for the vids, the Barrack/Bears one is pretty lame compared to the Clinton one. Kids these days, eh? What they can whip up on their computers ...
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innit cool how damn good bands in their 40s can sound?
Yeah, and according to Donny Osmond on Niteline the other night The Osmonds may reform this year for some 'special' shows. Can't blame 'em I s'pose.
but seriously ... I did a double take seeing Ron Asheton from The Stooges described as '58' in TimeOut this week. It made me confront my ageism. Then I remembered seeing the Pistols in Finnsbury Park in .. in .. 96? They were great (supported by Iggy no less).
It's good to see 'old' kiwi bands performing again, as long as they keep it 'special' and don't regress to Vaudeville. Funny too how sometimes more ppl show up for a 'reunion' tour than did the first time round.
Any chance of a ToyLove reunion? (and anyone care to comment on the CrowdedHouse reunion? necessary/unnecessary?)