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Post by theycallmewade on Jun 22, 2020 10:56:53 GMT 12
I take it by that you mean the perimeter of the pits area will be permanently fenced off so it is secure? Other thing I couldn’t see reading through the plans, was what is the actual intent with the Grandstand - noted as “Seating” on one plan, and also noted elsewhere as a Historic Building? Would it remain in its current form, or upgraded and only the upstairs is used for seating? (I understood the main problem isn’t it falling down, but concrete “blowing” off the beams due to steel reinforcing deteriorating?) The heritage grandstand is pending a Resource Consent application to demolish it. Becuase of its heritage status, this was a publicly notified resource consent application that ended up in a Hearing last week. The ASSCC was represented in the Hearing, but becuase of its confidential nature I can't say what was said, but both the application by Auckland Council and the propoded conditions of approval by Auckland Council are in publicly published documents and make interesting reading. The basic story goes something like this: Auckland Council Community Facilities applied to demolish the grandstand based on all the structural reports saying it could not be saved and was now posing a public health and safety risk. They proposed to put up 3000 temporary seats and portacom toilet blocks to support the speedway activities until a permanent solution could be put in place. They argued that the speedway activities through the ASSCC since 1967 is a significant social connection to Waikaraka Park and is the very activity that has put over 1M bums on seats in the grandstand right up until the day it was closed. That would all seem quite reasonable and acceptable. The Auckland Council regulatory team receiving the application then brought in heritage experts (from the Auckland Council Built Heritage team) to argue that the speedway activities actually have no social importance to Waikaraka Park and so putting up temporary seats and toilets so the speedway can continue to operate is not required. Instead, they preffered a condition on the consent making the ground floor slab and foundations of what would be left of the grandstand permanent heritage (blocking any opportunity to replace it) and requiring the applicant to do a heritage survey of all the headstones in the cemetery for the consent to be approved. The regulatory team's attempt to block continuity of speedway racing at Waikaraka Park and use the grandstand that the heritage team have allowed to rot to do it shows very clearly there are forces within AUckland Council in the background who would try to end speedway at Waikaraka Park, along with closing down motorsport venues across Auckland. A decision from the independent Hearing Commissioners is due in 4 weeks. Don't be under any illusion how imporant a large public statment in support of the plan through a public process is! Auckland Council cannot progess upgrades to the whole of Waikaraka Park without having to follow the 'public have your say'process - these are their rules. No matter how they go about the quiet backroom processes to put motorsport under pressure in this city, they cannot avoid this opportunity for the public to make a loud statement. |
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Post by bernie on Aug 1, 2020 10:11:36 GMT 12
OK, The Have Your Say link is open and can be found here: akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/waikaraka-parkThere are two links to the Draft Reserve Management Plan and the Draft Masterplan in the text under "Waikaraka Park Reserve Management Plan and Masterplan". You can access these without registering to provide feedback. Take a look at these documents first. We are giving the Draft Reserve Management Plan a good read today and will come back to this thread with any thoughts about suggestions or comments we might make. You can wait for that update tonight or go straight in and make a submission now, but take a look at the Masterplan when you get a chance. I would be interested to see what you think. wade 
Dont worry about the cemetery survey, that's a detail, DO get on line and support the proposal.
Dont worry about the grandstand footings, that's a detail, DO get online and support the proposal.
Dont worry about pit parking, that's a detail, DO get online and support the proposal.
The detail is easily sorted in the detail design process, IF this proposal gets through this stage.
Do tell them what a wonderful proposal it is because it supports multi use , it brings together a range of summer and winter sports on one site. Tell then how long the existing groups, including speedway have successfully worked together on this site, and that this will keep that long history alive.
You get my drift, but do it now and in do it big numbers
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Post by midway on Aug 1, 2020 12:04:25 GMT 12
So once again i ask the question ??
Has the ASSCc in support of this ,advertised it in there respective local papers (Central Leader) and others of note .
If you Dont Tell the people anything at all something Happens
Nothing ..
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Post by The Observer on Aug 1, 2020 18:17:23 GMT 12
Just wondering who are the team running Waikaraka Park?
Who the promoter is?
Always good to know whose looking after things.
A while back I think someone mentioned Bruce Robertson will no longer be involved at WP once he got Western springs, but not sure if that was someone’s throw away line.
Good luck to all involved but keen to understand who is doing the hard Mahi behind the scenes, and who is promoting this year. Independent, or the club?
Theres always those staunch long term people who are the heart and souls of a club but never get any recognition, nor probably want it, but generally deserve more than others
To that end TheycallMewade and Bernie thanks for the updates
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Post by speedinaway on Aug 1, 2020 19:26:48 GMT 12
Just wondering who are the team running Waikaraka Park? Who the promoter is? Always good to know whose looking after things. A while back I think someone mentioned Bruce Robertson will no longer be involved at WP once he got Western springs, but not sure if that was someone’s throw away line. Good luck to all involved but keen to understand who is doing the hard Mahi behind the scenes, and who is promoting this year. Independent, or the club? Theres always those staunch long term people who are the heart and souls of a club but never get any recognition, nor probably want it, but generally deserve more than others To that end TheycallMewade and Bernie thanks for the updates Pretty sure Bruce is going to stick around at Waikaraka. i can only see good coming from Bruce promoting both tracks in Auckland. |
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Post by hienekenno1 on Aug 1, 2020 20:03:27 GMT 12
Bruce is still the promoter at Waikaraka and Frank is still the president,asked on Facebook after the agm and was told that,committee still the same as last season as well.
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Post by theycallmewade on Aug 13, 2020 18:14:29 GMT 12
All, Lots going on in Auckland right now, and I am sure there is a lot of fatigue about the Auckland Speedway situation, but the Waikaraka Park Reserve Management Plan and Masterplan public 'have your say' process only has 5 days to go and needs a big push as we get near to the finish line. Some commentators have asked why the ASSCC has not gone public and pushed it hard. There is a reason for keeping this amongst motorsport and speedway people. Speedway New Zealand probably say it best on their facebook post and there is an explanatory document in the link. If you have not already given this support and care about speedway and motorsport in Auckland, it would be a good idea to do so and ask any of your motorsport supporting friends to as well if they can find 5 minutes to help. www.facebook.com/SpeedwayNZ/photos/a.502503609784182/3452618788105968/?type=3&theater |
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Post by NZ Sauber on Aug 13, 2020 19:38:27 GMT 12
All, Lots going on in Auckland right now, and I am sure there is a lot of fatigue about the Auckland Speedway situation, but the Waikaraka Park Reserve Management Plan and Masterplan public 'have your say' process only has 5 days to go and needs a big push as we get near to the finish line. Some commentators have asked why the ASSCC has not gone public and pushed it hard. There is a reason for keeping this amongst motorsport and speedway people. Speedway New Zealand probably say it best on their facebook post and there is an explanatory document in the link. If you have not already given this support and care about speedway and motorsport in Auckland, it would be a good idea to do so and ask any of your motorsport supporting friends to as well if they can find 5 minutes to help. www.facebook.com/SpeedwayNZ/photos/a.502503609784182/3452618788105968/?type=3&theaterThanks for the reminder Wade. I have now submitted feedback, and it really is a nice simple process. Historically Speedway hasn't been very good at making the process work for us, so it makes me happy to see Waikaraka being so pro-active. Little tweaks to facilities and restrictions make a big difference. Imagine if Nelson could run two day meetings again, or Kihikihi could start at 7pm where they are running wide tyre classes. |
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Post by John W. on Aug 14, 2020 9:32:35 GMT 12
I have just got some of our circuit racing friends to spread the message for a last push....
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Post by theycallmewade on Aug 18, 2020 21:05:09 GMT 12
All,
The Waikaraka Park 'have your say' website closes tonight, and I offer a heart felt 'Thank You' to everyone who has listened to my ramblings on this subject since the process began in July of last year.
I spoke to the council person running the process today, and the timeline from here will involve public hearings during Septmeber and October for anyone who wanted 'to be heard' with their concerns or requested changes being weighed against total numbers of positive respondents to form the final plan.
It is likely to take until December to understand what the final plan for Waikaraka Park will actually look like, but it is safe to say we have collectively given it a good nudge in the right direction, and again Thank You - this was extremely important.
The Reserve Management Plan was just one critical process going on with the other being the Resource Consent Application for the demolition of the grandstand. This process also went to public hearings and received some push back from Auckland Council Heritage and the duty Planner. Nothing is easy or without risk!
We hope to be able to report a positive outcome to that process before the start of the new racing season once the independent hearing commissioners' feedback is through and a plan of action in place.
I would like to say we can now see light at the end of the tunnel after years of hard work, but the only light we are seeing is to get us back to where we were 10 years ago. If the Masterplan goes through and the grandstand process is resolved there is still a long road ahead of us. We will still need to chase funding to move forward on bringing Waikaraka Park back as a top New Zealand speedway for our competitors and fans.
That is what we are working hard to do, and the support and patience of the wider motorsport and speedway family is very much appreciated!
Looking forward to a good summer, because you have to with the winter we have all endured!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2020 22:21:36 GMT 12
Wade, your so called ramblings have been some of the best and most informative post ive ever read on Macgors. Your efforts are truly appreciated by this WP fan.Awesome effort.
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Post by hienekenno1 on Aug 19, 2020 9:09:43 GMT 12
Yep awesome updates on my favorite place in Auckland and looking forward to the day I will be sitting at Waikaraka again watching cool race cars on the dirt, man I miss the sound of those superstocks lol.
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Post by orapiuwharf on Aug 19, 2020 10:25:44 GMT 12
Keep it up Wade. You are doing a great job.
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Post by midway on Aug 19, 2020 19:18:32 GMT 12
Yep awesome updates on my favorite place in Auckland and looking forward to the day I will be sitting at Waikaraka again watching cool race cars on the dirt, man I miss the sound of those superstocks lol. YOU MUST HAVE A FEW STAB MARKS IN THE FOOT BY NOW ,oFTEN SEEN AT THE sPRINGS WATCHING THE BEST SPEEDWAY SHOW IN TOWN ,WHILE YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE  HAS BILLY CART RACING AND A FEW dODGEMS ON SHOW ...,NOT TO MENTION kNOXVILLE AS WELL ,poor old Tim Budd will spill his coffee laughing again ....  |
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Post by hienekenno1 on Aug 20, 2020 9:38:59 GMT 12
Stop shouting midway I can here you from Auckland lol,yes there could be some good Speedway shows at the springs this season now that Bruce Robertson is in charge lol and yes I love my dodgems as you call them and boy I did miss the Dingus bar this year at Knoxville,bugger off Covid 19 and lets get to watch some racing!
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Post by hienekenno1 on Aug 20, 2020 9:42:46 GMT 12
Oh yeah and I do miss my little talks with Tim Budd, hope he is well and enjoying being the no one fan of mr Pickens and mr Schatz lol.
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Post by graemeh on Sept 7, 2020 17:52:06 GMT 12
Driving past Waikaraka today and looks like work has begun on demolishing the Grandstand.
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Post by percy on Sept 8, 2020 12:34:41 GMT 12
Just want to say a massive well done to the team at Waikaraka.
This has been a hard slog to get this far and I imagine the team have a few stories to tell in dealing with the council and local board! The beginning of the main stand demolition marks a point in the process where Waikaraka Park can start moving forward.
Hope the most recent consultation goes well and we can one day take pride in a facility that befits the time and effort the club and it's members put into the sport.
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Post by theycallmewade on Sept 8, 2020 22:44:08 GMT 12
Just want to say a massive well done to the team at Waikaraka. This has been a hard slog to get this far and I imagine the team have a few stories to tell in dealing with the council and local board! The beginning of the main stand demolition marks a point in the process where Waikaraka Park can start moving forward. Hope the most recent consultation goes well and we can one day take pride in a facility that befits the time and effort the club and it's members put into the sport. Thanks Percy, and yes the demolition machines moved in this week to take down the grandstand. There is a plan in place to have the grandstand down and new spectator seating up to 3000 seats and better toilets on site before Labour weekend and opening night - this is now 6 years after the grandstand was closed and represents the end of a very long and overly complicated road. I must say there are mixed feelings right now about the grandstand coming down. Yes there is relief about the process coming to an end and being able to move forward, but there is also sadness at seeing the 'old girl' that has been there from day 1 of the club and an icon of Waiakarakla Park go. We have calculated there has been close to 2 million people take a seat in the grandstand since 1967 to watch speedway racing at Waikaraka Park. On the recent consultation I am reliably informed there were 285 submissions and 17 requests for a hearing. The number of submissions is both disappointing but also heartening. It probably represents a bit of apathy around the 'long Auckland winge' about pressure on speedway venues up here, and probably is about right given other more important things on everyones mind this year. At 285 submissions we are confident a very high percentage are in favour and we have taken an interest in the hearings process to put our best foot forward to counter any objections. There is a bit of water to go under the bridge yet which will likley take us into the new year before there is clarity on the masterplan. All in all, a lot of hard work to get to this point, but the truth is the hard work is just beginning to bring Waikaraka Park back to being a great New Zealand speedway venue. Lots of stories could be told now, but I'd be pretty sure there will be a few more before we get there. |
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Post by 888hsv on Sept 9, 2020 8:29:41 GMT 12
6 long years of missing my favourite pozi to sit and enjoy the dirt flying and metal crunching night after night.
Yes the Grandstand holds so many fond memories for many people and for some families its generations that enjoyed watching the racing..
I'm looking forward as are many people for the speedway season to get underway and it will be awesome to turn right after entering and heading to the new stand to find a new pozi to see in the new season all be it we wait on COVID-19 and pray we are in level 1 and can have the large gatherings.
I would be interested to know what the seating capacity is now with the new temp 3000 seating grandstand and all the other seating that has been erected around WP?
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