Angry residents opposing controversial plans for a 24/7 petrol station on a busy arterial route have been ignored by Auckland Council.
The Z service station and six retail shops will be built at 119 Onewa Rd, on the corner of Gladstone Rd, next to St Mary’s Catholic Church and primary school, on the same side as the west- bound T3 transit lane.
All 52 submissions to the council oppose the plan.
The council revealed its decision to grant resource consent last Friday despite overwhelming opposition from Gladstone Rd, Seaview Ave and Onewa Rd residents, St Mary’s Catholic Church and primary school, Kaipatiki Local Board and Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman.
Mr Coleman slams the plans, saying “it is a recipe for traffic mayhem” and children’s safety is his top concern. He told the North Shore Times last November he was “yet to meet anyone who is in favour of the proposal but there is strong opposition to the development”.
St Mary’s parish council chairman Iain Gallie says the church’s top concerns are safety, traffic and environmental impacts.
Multiple submitters raised concerns about noise pollution for those living near the site, specifically the parish accommodation for priests.
Residents claimed the council had not received their submissions or believed theirs were not counted in the final tally.
The council says one of the conditions is a boundary fence, as high as the six retail shops, be built to block noise. The retail shops have had opening times restricted but the station will operate 24 hours, seven days a week.
Decibel restrictions have also been placed on noise.
Public hearings were on November 29 and 30 and an additional hearing was held on December 14.
It is unknown when construction will begin.
Credits
Written by: Jess Etheridge
Published: Auckland Now / North Shore Times – 28 February 2013