PHOTO: Anna Mowbray. WOMAN MAGAZINE
Residents of Auckland fear that their neighborhood might become a “sky highway,” endangering rare birds and disrupting their quality of life if a helipad at a newly built mansion is approved.
Anna Mowbray, co-founder of toy company Zuru, and her partner, former All Black Ali Williams, have applied for consent to land helicopters at their Rawene Avenue, Westmere property without a public hearing.
If approved, it will be the ninth helipad in a residential area of the city.
John Valentine, a 28-year resident of Rawene Avenue, recalls the area as once being a quiet, less developed community. He has enjoyed exploring the nearby Cox’s Bay mudflats with his children and grandchildren, where they play among rock pools and a spot they call “the bear caves.”
However, the proposed helipad would bring helicopters flying over the area four times a day, seven days a week. Valentine expressed concerns about the safety and noise, saying it would be too dangerous for his family to visit the area due to the unpredictable helicopter arrivals and the associated downdraft.
Valentine is part of Quiet Sky Waitematā, a group opposing the spread of helicopter pads along the Waitematā Harbour. He questions the fairness of allowing more helipads just because others exist, asking, “where does it stop?”
Mowbray and Williams submitted a revised application in April, proposing flights only at low tide to avoid disturbing roosting birds and restricted between 7 am and 10 pm. However, Jeanette Budgett, co-chair of Quiet Sky Waitematā, has documented the presence of seven endangered bird species in the area, which she believes would be severely impacted by the noise.
An ecological assessment for the revised application stated that the impact on marine life would be minimal, but that helicopters would likely disturb roosting birds. A review by Quiet Sky Waitematā argued that even flights at low tide would adversely affect threatened birds.
The Department of Conservation did not take a specific position on the consent but indicated occasional helicopter use would likely not significantly impact conservation efforts.
Residents like Susan Nemac worry about the precedent this sets for more helipads across the city, pointing to a similar increase on Waiheke Island and Aotea/Great Barrier Island.
The community was shocked by Mowbray and Williams’ request for a non-notified application, which would bypass public input. Auckland Council is still processing the application and has not decided on the notification status.
Valentine and his neighbors are prepared to consider legal options if the consent is approved without public notification, emphasizing the significant public interest and the insufficient evidence provided by Mowbray and Williams to demonstrate minimal impact.
Representatives for Mowbray and Williams declined to comment.
SOURCE: 1NEWS