Stuart Gardyne: Who's afraid of Shelly Bay?

STANTIALL STUDIO/SUPPLIED

OPINION:Here's a question: where do you take guests from out of town on a sunny weekend in Wellington City?

Chances are Shelly Bay isn't at the top of your list.

Not yet, that is. We now have a once-in-a-generation chance to create a modern and authentically Wellington destination that all of us will be able to enjoy. A laidback spot to enjoy a picnic, grab a coffee or simply relax and watch the world go by.

That's why I'm so disappointed to see opposition from the Miramar Business Improvement District to the proposed plan. What they're doing in effect is trying to keep more Wellingtonians out of the area.

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I had no idea they would see Shelly Bay as the playground of locals for their benefit and subject to their control.Their claims are the usual mix of fearmongering and selective facts. They do, however, raise some points which deserve scrutiny. These relate to planning rules, infrastructure, costs to ratepayers, and roading on the peninsula.

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But first and most importantly, let's be under no illusion that Shelly Bay is public land. It's not. Virtually all of it is owned by local iwi who have as much right as you or I to a financial return from their assets. To suggest otherwise, as the Miramar Business Improvement District appears to be doing, is patronising in the extreme to Taranaki Whanui.

So what of this "loss of green space", which seems to be strongest card played by opponents to the Shelly Bay development? The only council land that is currently green is the margin between the road and South Bay beach. This will be retained and improved under the development plans. In fact, a significant amount of land currently out of bounds will be opened up for recreational use, including two parks at the headland points, a village green and the Shelly Bay wharf.

The group argues "massive construction" will limit access to Shelly Bay for 13 years. What we're really talking about is 350 dwellings built over a period of up to 13 years. To put that into perspective, nearly 20,000 houses and apartments will be built in the city over the same timeframe.

I do not see the good people of Wellington jumping up and down to nearly the same extent. It's unreasonable to live in a growing city and expect you will be quarantined from this.

Shelly Bay is uniquely positioned so the nearest locals are unlikely to be affected during the working week when most of the construction occurs. The development site is geographically distant from any existing houses. I cannot think of any site in Wellington where a development of 350 badly needed homes will have less impact than Shelly Bay.

Moreover, why shouldn't more of us be able to enjoy this spectacular part of our city? Shelly Bay will become a thriving community of 850 people which will offer an alternative to houses and apartments in other parts of the city such as Woodridge, Churton Park or Te Aro. It will become destination of choice for Wellingtonians who enjoy cafes, shops, picnics and swimming.

And to the beleaguered ratepayers who the Miramar Business Improvement District would have us believe are footing the bill for the development, I have a simple message: you're not. The developer is paying, just like they do in every other city. The council will continue to pay for infrastructure it owns such as drains, but the difference is the development will generate over $1.5 million in new rates revenue for Wellington every year.

Not to mention valuable economic activity through employment. These are all inconvenient truths for the Miramar Business Improvement District.

But the roads! Just ask the residents of Island Bay if any issue is as contentious. Unlike the maligned cycleway, the road to Shelly Bay will be genuinely improved to allow cyclists, pedestrians and drivers alike to share it. Yes there will be a likely increase in traffic. There will also be more carsharing, more electric bicycles and more ferries to the area. It's positive, it's exciting, and it's absolutely no reason to oppose the development.

The bottom line is this. Shelly Bay will inevitably be developed. Wellington City Council should be congratulated for collaborating with Shelly Bay's iwi owners to ensure all of us can benefit.

It's too easy from a position of privilege to believe that others should not do anything to disrupt your lifestyle.

But city living demands we be considerate to others and that we accept some inconveniences. This plan will transform Shelly Bay into a space for all Wellingtonians – not just a privileged few.

Stuart Gardyne is director of architecture+.

The Dominion Post