If Raewyn Jesson had to sum up Mairangi Bay in one word it would be "village''. As she looks out across the bay at the people playing on the beach, the children squealing in the surf and at Rangitoto Island in the distance, the feeling of a community washes over her.
So, when she heard North Shore City Council wants to revamp this area, she was a little worried.
"They need to bring the community together, have a chat about it,'' she says. "They have announced this over Christmas-time. We don't even know where to find the plans.''
Mrs Jesson says there is very little she would change in the vibrant bay. "We walk along the beach or in amongst the shops and we say to ourselves, 'Isn't this fantastic?'.''
Mrs Jesson and her husband, Michael, are real estate agents. They say one of the biggest drawcards of Mairangi Bay for home buyers is that it feels safe.
"Why touch it?'' says Mrs Jesson. "I guess it would be nice to have a little more activity around the surf life saving club, to draw the community that way but, really, that's it.''
Her husband can't think of much he would change. But, as his three grandchildren play on the beach, he admits a little more space would be good.
"What I would really like is that they develop the reserve area so that it's big enough for everyone to enjoy but, other than that, I'm undecided.''
Mr Jesson says the council needs to develop whatever plans it may have for the needs of everyone, not just the locals. "The council needs to talk to us.''
Northern ward councillor Joy Bett lived in the area for 39 years before moving to Cmpbells Bay. She is now considering returning to the beach she loves so much.
She is on the East Coast Bays Community Board which is considering the development plans for the area.
"The concept plans are about getting people's input,'' she says.
"It may appear as if we are trying to put something over the public by doing this over Christmas, but it has to be moved forward because of this whole super-city thing. But we have also extended the consultation period so people can have a say.''
The councillor says her goal is to ensure people are still able to enjoy Mairangi Bay. "We put in the judder bars to stop the hoons, but we want to keep the road going around.
"It's about accessibility. I want to be able to walk down the walkway and go to the beach.''
Bay backlash
This is not the first time the powers-that-be have decided to revamp Mairangi Bay.
In 1980 the then-East Coast Bays City Council declared its decision to close off Sidmouth Rd and Montrose Tce to cars. Locals felt this would essentially create a private beach.
Northern ward councillor Joy Brett led the opposition to the proposal. "A group of us got together and started a petition,'' she says. "We held meetings and hired a solicitor from the city. We took the issue to the Environment Court and won. We saved that beach for the public.''
In 2009 North Shore City Council bought two properties, one for $3 million and the other for $4.1 million. One of the houses has already been moved, leaving a section of land open. The other building is still there and will be included in the council's new development plans.
For more info and to express an opinion, see www.northshorecity.govt.nz/YourCouncil/ConsultingOn/Pages/default.aspx
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