Pest Free Kaipātiki have a new place to call home after the council’s Governing Body agreed to transfer ownership of the former Glenfield Bowling Club building to the community organisation.
The decision realises the wishes of the Kaipātiki Local Board, which in July approved an agreement to lease the land under the building and the former bowling green at Ross Reserve to the organisation. The local board also requested ownership of the building be transferred to the group.
“We are delighted councillors unanimously supported the recommendation, recognising it is a win-win for the council and the community,” says Kaipātiki Local Board chair John Gillon.
“Like us, they were impressed by PFK’s work over many years and the planning and partnerships they already had in place to see their vision for the site become a reality."
“This is obviously something the local board fully supports, and we are excited to see how the project progresses over the next few years."
Left with a vacant 50-year-old building after the bowling club moved out and facing a hefty demolish or upgrade bill, the local board ran an expression of interest process to see if any community group was interested taking it on.
Councillors heard from PFK’s Jo Knight about the cramped office conditions meant they lacked an adequate base to gather have any storage in the same place, something the vacant building provides.
Find out more about PFK's plans for the site.
An artist impression of the new PFK headquarters, included in the group's presentation to the local board and Governing Body.
Win for council and the community.
In transferring the building, PFK is now responsible for the costs associated with its planned upgrade rather than the council.
“As well as a good decision for the community and PFK who can now start looking at funding opportunities, this is win for council which will not bear the costs of any work on the site,” says Mr Gillon.
North Shore ward councillor Chris Darby congratulated the board for shepherding the project through.
“It’s a really good outcome for council and Pest Free Kaipatiki, after council was found staring at a massive building liability. Coming out the other side with PFK guaranteed a long-term home is wonderful. The big difference was PFK not coming cap in hand but brimming with constructive ideas and commercial partnerships in place to make things happen.
“The birds of Birkenhead, Birkdale, Northcote, Glenfield and beyond will be singing their praises on this one,” says Cr Darby
Tireless work for our environment
Fellow ward councillor Richard Hills says the new building will enable PFK do even more impressive work than they already do.
“This group started around 2009 with a small group of volunteers meeting on cold nights at the Northcote War Memorial Hall with a big vision and have just grown and grown from there.
While the group does receive some council and local board funding, and support from the Birkenhead Licensing Trust, Cr Hills says PFK does a lot with a modest amount
“It is just phenomenal the amount of work that is done with a comparatively small amount and the value they are putting into our parks and reserves is massive. Their work complements the rates-funded contracts in a big way and also covers private land too,” says Cr Hills.
Among PFK’s many activities are coordinating and empowering hundreds of volunteers and neighbours of reserves to look after their local parks, catch rats, possums, remove weeds and plant natives by providing education, stalls at school fairs and other events.
“These activities are not only enhancing our public spaces network but bringing communities together,” adds Mr Gillon.
Full council report - see item 13 or listen to the presentations (from 10 minutes) and discussion (at 1h 46mins) at the meeting.
About Pest Free Kaipātiki
PFK is a community-led charity working to restore native biodiversity across the Kaipātiki Local Board area of Auckland.
Its vision is one where birds and other native wildlife flourish, and everyone works together to support our natural heritage.
Find out more at pestfreekaipatiki.org.nz
