The Park has private and communal areas and both should be respected as such. Other than Oakridge residents, access to and from the upper recreation centre and tennis court is ONLY via the path which runs from Joseph Banks Terrace between the station and the back of both Gifford and Ascot apartments. This takes you directly to the respective entrances. There is NO parking in the adjacent Ascot car park for users of either of these two facilities. The easiest access to Newmarket is via the station access way from Joseph Banks Terrace – NOT through the adjacent apartment gardens. Access to Middleton Road is also along Joseph Banks Terrace. Vehicles parked on yellow lines or on footpaths in the Park will be towed away as they create a hazard. A resident was recently forced to step out onto the road to avoid a vehicle parked over the foot path. The resident fell, ending up with black eyes, damaged ribs and wrists. We all have an obligation to ensure that this does not reoccur.

Newmarket station.

In November a meeting was held with ARTA, now known as Auckland Transport, to  raise comments made by number of residents living in the apartments adjacent to the station.  Their concern is that the noise levels from the station still unreasonably interfere with the peace and comfort of those living adjacent to it.
Auckland Transport advised that a serious accident on a platform had occurred recently which reinforces the need for use of the hooter, which is required under the Health and Safety Employment Act. Auckland Transport will not deviate from its use, but did accept that sometimes use is excessive and so undertook to ask Veolia to request drivers to show more moderation in its use. The use of the hooter is a requirement of the train driver’s employment contract.
Veolia have advised that they have noted the concerns expressed about the use of the hooter but cannot issue anything to drivers re use of horns that would contradict what they have been taught. Veolia will continue monitoring and if they identify a particular individual (KiwiRail or Veolia) who is using the horn excessively they will deal with him/her as appropriate.
A review of the public address system was undertaken, as a result of speaker noise level concerns and this review advised that any noise is reflected our way because of our side being open. Current station speaker levels are required as passengers must be kept informed of all rail movements. However, they did agree to undertake a further re-training course for some of their announcers.
Auckland Transport consider that they are not exceeding the requirements of the RMA, Health and Safety Acts or any local body by-laws. This statement is not in accord with a legal opinion that was tabled at a meeting of Newmarket Rail Community Liaison Group in March 2010 by the Society which was a member of that group, when concerns over noise levels were raised by a number of neighboring residents groups who were members to that advisory group.
Auckland Transport have listened and we will need to wait and see if there is any improvement.

Facilities.

On a very disturbing theme, there have been two incidents of users at the recreational facilities, exposing themselves to female users. The Society takes this type of behaviour very seriously. If this happens to you, please contact the park manager immediately so he can take appropriate action. There are still residents not using hand towels while at the gym. You risk losing you access if caught in breach of the centres rules. These facilities are for the peaceful enjoyment of all. Personal hygene is of high importance in the gym, and hand towel use stops sweat from getting over the equipment causing corrosion.

Gardens

Spring has finally sprung and with the warmer weather upon us the gardens are looking outstanding. Over the last twelve months the Society have been fortunate enough to have a very experienced crew from Natural Habitats. Chris and Stella work extremely well together and over the fifteen years the Park has been active, this team is the best we have had. Chris Bean has managed large country Estates in the UK. Before coming to New Zealand he managed Compson Acres in Dorset Winborn and before that he was involved in a Victorian garden. Unfortunately both gardens have been turned into housing estates, hence the reason for his move to NZ. Chris’s experience has been invaluable in the recent improvements to our landscape.

Security

Once again we have experienced numerous vehicles getting broken into. We have managed to forward registration details of the offender’s vehicles to police. If possible please make room in your garages to park your vehicles inside or at least in your own driveways. The fewer vehicles left out the streets the less opportunity for these people to do their work. During the Christmas holiday period, please let your neighbours know, if you intend to be away for a long period so they can keep an eye on your property. If we all keep vigilant, note down times and dates of any suspicious behaviour or vehicle details, we can all help stamp out the visits we get from these people.

The committee spent some time investigating a neighbourhood watch scheme. Due to lack of interest from residents this idea has been put on the back burner.

For the benefit of those who may know little about the beginnings of Broadway Park here is a thumbnail outline.In 1993 construction began on what had been disused railway property to create a unique, high-class, residential estate. The original concept envisaged stylish townhouses of similar design extending through Joseph Banks Terrace and right along the ridge where John Stokes Terrace now stands, with a row of apartment buildings of similar design along the railway line, flanking an attractive suite of communal/recreational facilities in the middle of James Cook Crescent. Elsewhere, land was to be sold off for independent construction, but in keeping with the overall standard and style of the estate.

Very soon, however, the idea of replicating the Joseph Banks style was dropped and the land sold off as individual titles. Similarly, the proposed centrally-situated communal facilities on James Cook Crescent were discarded, since when a row of different- style apartment blocks has gradually been developed along the railway line. Instead a recreational facility was constructed behind Ascot Apartments and a few years later the new Fitness Centre behind the Cook Apartments.

Broadway Park is now an extensive residential area, so far comprising some 400 separate titles and approximately 1000 residents. There is a sizeable area of native bush, adjoining Newmarket Park, which belongs to the Broadway Park and for which we are responsible. So, clearly, it behoves all of us to take a keen interest in the overall management of this unique, attractive, supremely well-situated, residential estate.

Broadway Park Website (www.broadwaypark.org)

Contributions from owners and residents for inclusion on the Park Website are always
welcome. These should be forwarded to Birgita Muller at -webmaster@broadwaypark.org