Misleading Public Statements made by City Vision

City Vision says there is a critical shortage of sports fields in Albert-Eden **

The only thing they have to support this claim is anecdote. Albert-Eden has 30 sports fields, not counting those on school grounds, which is enough fields for a population of at least 180,000; the current population is 110,000. Albert-Eden and its neighbouring local boards have an enormous 217 sportsfields enough for the population of at least 1,350,000; the current population of the area is 520,000.*

In his January 2017 article in the NZ Herald, Albert Eden Chairman, City Vision said: “Budget is another area that needs clarification. It was reported $30 million will be spent on the upgrade. The projected total is closer to $10m.”

The estimated cost is now $29.7m and rising…he hasn’t blinked at such a jump in expenditure.

City Vision said in the Herald article: “We've put a lot of energy into upgrading sports fields in Albert-Eden, but the opportunities are few… Our problem is most of our fields are on small parks or close to neighbours.”

Hybrid turf and the latest generation of LED sports lights can be installed on each and every one of Albert-Edens 30 sports fields as a permitted activity under the Unitary Plan. Hybrid turf and new lights have been installed at Fowlds Park within 10 metres of neighbours’ houses. The neighbours say the new lights are attractive and have almost no light spill.

City Vision says there is a shortage of parks in Albert-Eden ** There 69 parks and reserves within 2km of Chamberlain Park

City Vision says Save Chamberlain Park is just a ‘small group’ –

We have over 21,700 signatures on our petition … that is more than three times the number who voted for for the chairman in the last election

City Vision talks about the creation of a bird corridor around the Meola Creek part of the park

Chamberlain Park is already a bird corridor. City Vision don’t mention the loss of trees that will result from his redevelopment plans

City Vision said to Radio NZ that Chamberlain Park was not heavily used – ** At 60,000 rounds per year Chamberlain Park is the busiest golf course in Auckland, if not New Zealand. 164 rounds per day, 364 days of the year!

City Vision says we need more park space to accommodate the Unitec housing development

The planned Unitec development includes a huge amount green space to provide for residents of both the development and the surrounding suburbs

City Vision says that there is a surplus of golf courses in Auckland

Auckland has approximately one 18-hole golf course for every 50,000 people. Compared to countries like Australia and England we have just enough courses now and Auckland is growing at a phenomenal rate. We will never come close to Scotland (one for every 11,000 people) and Iceland (one for every 8,500 people) in providing facilities for our number one participation sport.

City Vision says that golf is not a growing sport

According to New Zealand Golf Annual Reports 2015 – 2016, traditional membership within Auckland grew 2.26%. (More recent data on memberships and all rounds played)

City Vision says that the use of the course has been declining year-on-year for more than a decade

The number of rounds played was stable at around 50,000 per year but in the last year has shot up 20% to around 60,000 rounds.

City Vision says that the net operating surplus from the golf course is now under $50,000.00 pa

The gross income in recent years, before the recent 20% jump in use, has been of the order of $1m pa and the surpluses under Council control has reached levels in excess of $200,000.00 pa.

City Vision says that golf has declined in popularity in recent years and, increasingly, many people prefer to pay 9 holes rather than 18 . The City Vision Chair has repeatedly been asked to provide evidence to support his untrue claim; he has provided none