Money buying power?
by Bex Appleton
In George Orwell’s Animal Farm he says: “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
For the little quiet eastern suburb of Bucklands Beach, they are finding out what these words truly mean.
Bucklands Beach is a beautiful place with three surrounding beaches, some of which have Norfolk pines planted directly on the beach and offer dainty little restaurants, a golf course, waterfront playgrounds for children and lovely walking tracks.
Hwoever, this beautiful suburban slice of heaven has until recenetly been held ransom by the risk of losing what is most treasuredby local residents most of all - the view!
This appears no longer a threat, with the Election of Len Brown and his councilors to the Manukau City Council; the noose has been tightly fastened, leaving Bucklands Beach and its citizens waiting to be hung, as it were.
It appears more and more each day that money has bought power.
All the beauty and lifestyle advantages Bucklands Beach offers has been sold off to a man in his nineties that wants to develop an apartment and commercial building right on the waterfront despite the petition against such a venture.
The resource management act requires, as a matter of national importance, the preservation of the natural character of the coastal environment (including the coastal marine area, i.e. Wharf Road, Bucklands Beach), and the protection of them from inappropriate use and development (Section 6a).
Most citizens see this retail apartment proposal as being inappropriate and not keeping in touch with the character of the coastal environment. It is seen as a prominent eyesore from the Harbour and for all the houses on the
Peninsula, blocking the sun for many homes and the views people have invested so much money in just to have.
Coastal property is very rare and very expensive these days so why give up what little we already have?
Why allow this proposed four story building situated on the waterfront? A building that will entail a lot of reconstruction to the area as the basement/carpark will be built underground. Meaning the basement will need excavation by which significant driving/vibration energy is applied to make the sheet piling successful.
As Bucklands Beach has high water ground level a de-watering operation is required. By means of submersible electric pumps that sits in sump holes located at the lowest points of the excavation. This is to be carried out in conjunction with the excavation process and is estimated to take two years. Two years of vibrations and noise pollution in a residential area.
How is this keeping to Section 61 of the Resource Management Act?
It seems rather simple, it looks like a case of an old man already incredibly rich seemingly manipulating those in power and effectively buying his own power, all with the intent to satisfy his obsession and greed for money; instead of being guided by what is right for the area, the marketplace and people like me who call Bucklands Beach home.