Orewa growth dilemma
By NICK MARSH - Rodney Times
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Orewa, the fifth in a series of reports on five towns covered in the Rodney Times Diamond survey. Residents were asked to rate their town or area and to detail its strengths and weaknesses. Reports were published on Warkworth, Rodney Times on June 4, Helensville on June 11, Whangaparaoa on June 18, and Wellsford on June 25. Orewa residents had the most respondents to the survey. They love their town, donât want it to become another Surfers Paradise, and reckon the central business district could do with a makeover.
The people of Orewa are very positive about their town.
They gave it a big diamond rating for liveability of 7.5 out of 10 in the 30 to 60-year and over-60s age groups.
The jewel in the crown for residents is "the fabulous beach, natural environment, parks and reserves".
The second most rated positive for Orewa was its location and easy access to Auckland.
One person called it the "ideal beach town – not a big city development. Please leave it as it is, there are no weaknesses. Don’t make it into a second Surfers Paradise, that would be awful."
The physical attraction of Orewa shows up in the high-visitability scores. For over-30s it scored 6.8 out of 10.
Orewa has a long tradition of being the beach holiday town of choice for families from Auckland.
The length of the beach ensures no one feels crowded and the traditional motor campground is an increasingly rare piece of kiwiana.
People mention the town’s "friendly, relaxed feeling", saying "Orewa is unique – lovely and out of the rat race in Auckland".
Orewa is clearly very attractive to those seeking a safe, beautiful, flat space with good amenities. It is an easy place to get around and attracts large numbers of retirees.
The investability score of 5.7 out of 10 is also high for the over-30s, reflecting the growth in property values under the pressure of demand for more houses and retirement villages.
The biggest complaint about Orewa is "the shameful central business district – it looks like the 1960s, and it’s downright shabby in some places".
More than one respondent described it as "extremely poor for a tourism beach centre – old and tired with poor facilities and no vibrancy".
Some say it needs demolishing and redeveloping with better shops, restaurants and cafes that will offer better opportunities and lifestyle.
Many respondents feel the council doesn’t listen to community consultation and others say it wastes ratepayer money on consultation when the town is waiting for redevelopment and more people.
Orewa is great for older people who grew up with the old-fashioned look, and is a great place to raise a family.
But children become teenagers and there is little to attract the young.
The dilemma of Orewa is that older people fear too much development will remove the sleepiness and peacefulness they like, but younger people want more stimulating activities.
They compare it with other small town centres which have been modernised.
Younger people want more business and more job prospects rather than having to shift to Auckland.
For detailed survey results go to www.rodney.govt.nz/mycommunity or email Nick Marsh at nick.marsh@nextcorporation.net or go to www.nextcorporation.net. Dr Marsh is a director of NEXT Corporation, strategic foresight researchers and facilitators.
