City Vision: working with the community on the future for epsom campus

On the 1st of September, City Vision hosted a well-attended and informative meeting as an initial discussion on the future of the Epsom Campus. Our thanks goes out to our venue - the Mt Eden Bowls Club - for a great evening.

Paul speaking to the crowd early in the evening

Speakers included Paul Chalmers, Maungawhau candidate and amateur historian; Mark Lockhart from the Tree Council; and Julie Fairey, Auckland Councillor for the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward.

Paul has put together a treasure trove of documents for interested parties at the Google Drive link here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fuGiu-sUYdPAP2nMWmhHws9d5rAUdACh?usp=sharing

The documents include: 

1. Email No1 from the MP for Epsom, Hon David Seymour, following up on the public meeting he hosted in November 2024.

2. Email No2 from MP for Epsom, Hon David Seymour, outlining that he has written to the Minister of Education regarding the Epsom Campus.

3. Minister of Education Hon Erica Stanford’s letter to Seymour, 25 Jan 2025.

4. City Vision Councillor Julie Fairey's 'Next Chapter' presentation on issues to do with the site.

5. Epsom Avenue Aerial: Auckland Council map of the campus.

6. City Vision local board candidate Paul Chalmers’ ‘History of Epsom Campus’ presentation.

7. Graeme Easte's ‘Future of the Epsom Campus’.

8. Bunker Description.

Email 1:

MP for Epsom, Hon David Seymour, outlining the issues around the potential Campus development.

The Minister's email follows a public meeting hosted by him in November 2024.  In this first, Epsom Campus Meeting Summary and Next Steps dated 6 December, Minister Seymour notes, “In a perfect world, the Government would purchase the land off the University, however this would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and I don’t believe that is realistic given the lack of clear long-term purpose and the tight fiscal environment the Government faces at present.”  He also notes that that “the University is the legal owner and, while the Government can do anything, I don’t believe it’s wise for the Government to undermine anyone’s property rights.”

Email 2:

This email contains the response from the Minister of Education to Mr Seymour's inquiry as to the current status of the site.  Minister Stanford notes the Ministry of Education’s interest in acquiring properties currently being used by the two schools using fields on the property.  The Minster also notes the requirement for the University to consult with the Crown should the University want to go ahead with any sale.

The other files are relatively self-explanatory but full of information.

City Vision plan to run another meeting following the elections, and are exploring the possibility of running tours through the property. Other tickets may be presenting solutions, but we are committed to working with residents to get the best outcome. 

The future of the campus may be uncertain at present, but a Community Plan, following the model of Julie’s success in advocating for better design and public space in the Three Kings Quarry Development, will ensure the community has a voice in the future of this unique site.