The chainsaws finally start buzzing at Housing NZ’s Asquith Ave site on Wednesday, ending the short life of the land as an unofficial neighbourhood park.
Build Partners, the project contractors, will today place a security fence around the front boundaries of the block – outside the rock walls which will largely be a casualty of the development. Because the wall was not built before 1900, it has no heritage protection.
Workmen will start clearing the site and cut and remove many of the trees – monitored by a council arborist to ensure resource consent conditions are followed. That work is expected to finish on February 14.
Between February 15 and February 20, the contractors will prepare the site for erosion and sediment control and on February 21 the heavy stuff really begins. Bulk earthworks and topological survey work will run through to mid-July.
Build Partners are only handling the construction of the 20 one-bedroom state housing units and work on them is expected to start on March 26, with a projected completion date of March 26, 2019.
It is unclear when the remaining homes – 20 four-bedroom houses, intended to be sold privately – will be built, and Mt Albert Inc has asked questions of the corporation and Housing Minister Phil Twyford to try to get some clarity.
The development will introduce a new road to service the properties that don’t have direct access from Burch St or Asquith Ave – and Housing NZ executive Marion Humphrey is keen to hear from anyone with a suggested name for the access lane.
Marion is also the person to talk to if you have any problems with the development as it progresses. You can reach her on (09) 261 5420 or 021 471 904. Or email her on: marion.humphrey@hnzc.co.nz
