Emily Chapman Laing
An empty block of land in Blind Bight has caused a lot of discussion online, with the community divided as to what the future function of the site should be.
Nearby the Blind Bight Community Centre, at 33 Anchorage Drive, there lies an open, unused space.
Residents have many different ideas of how they believe the council owned lot should be used, and what new community feature would be the most beneficial.
A Facebook post asking what the community would like to see happen to the site sparked diverse suggestions.
“I’d love to see a community garden created,” said Blind Bight local Shelby Brooks.
“I would like to see it planted out with native plants and trees,” said Susan Desveaux.
“I’d love to see a dog park in there,” said Kerrie Coulthard.
“I don’t see the point of having a block of land that no one seems to use, may be if it had a rotunda with tables and chairs and a BBQ people could make use of it,” said Andy Dobbyn.
“I would like like to see some sort of entertainment for the kids for example skateboard or scooter ramps, bmx track, playground, netball or basketball half courts,” Janet Burgess suggested.
“I think everyone would like to see something happen there,” Louise McPherson said.
Though it seems not all residents see eye to eye on the issue, as other locals to the area argue for the block to be left as is.
One resident questioned the urban need to turn every piece of nature into something with a purpose.
“Why does it need to be used?” asked Bev Woodbridge.
“It would be great as a community garden, dog park or just a park but I’m not sure why we need to fill every empty space.
“There are wildlife that inhabit the area as well.”
Resident Megan Evans agreed, saying the lot “needs to be left alone”.
“We like it just as it is, vacant, with the wildlife in it.”
The lot was donated by the founder of Blind Bight to the community in the ’80s.
Later, the lot was purchased by the council, who intended to subdivide the land and sell it off as residential blocks.
The Blind Bight community rallied together to protect it.
2019 saw an uproar about the issue, with former Hastings MP Neale Burgess revealing that the council “didn’t even intend to hold the proceeds of a sale for the Blind Bight Community”.
The council revoked their choice to subdivide the space.
Keri New, Manager City and Asset Planning has said the council has no current plans for the land and it is not earmarked for any further enhancements.
