Documentation
This page will contain documents and Official Information Requests pertaining to the Shaw's Bird Park
To make it easier for you to understand, here is a summary starting from the beginning in 2007.
East west road.
2007-2009 No roads were planned in the 10 hectares of Shaws' land. No bridges were to be built on the east west road. Yet the Council stated the Shaws wrote a submission agreeing the road could go thru the bird park - I and others have never been given the wet copy signed by the Shaws.
2013-2017 HCC changed their plan to have the road through the middle of Shaws. With the change one bridge was planned across the Mangakotukutuku gully.
2017-2018 Meetings were held to get consent but Shaws said their property was not for sale.
2020-2021 Three mediation meetings, one environment court action; Shaws is still not for sale.
2022-2023 An earlier planned culvert is now changed to a bridge still cutting Shaws' bird park in half.
December 2022 the east west road and north south road now have three bridges which could be avoided.
North South Road
2007-2009 The north south road from the new bridge across the Waikato River was to go past the Pa Sites on the eastern side.
2013 With the change to the east west road the designer changed the north south road to the western side of the pa sites. Because of the change a bridge is now on the plans to cross the gully on the north end of the pa sites and the road planned on the western side.
2022 So three major bridges of more than 200 metres each will now have to be built as well as a smaller bridge on the eastern
side of the gully.
In conclusion, the north side road should be built on the eastern side of the pa sites so two bridges do not need to be built at all.
The east west road should be stopped altogether to save a bridge being built across Shaws' bird park and the park saved. The costs to the ratepayers of Hamilton could be some $400 million. There is no need for the east west road as State Highway 3 can be used. Use those funds to pay for the unfunded north south road.
OIA response March 12, 2023
When did the bridges suddenly appear on the East/West Road, as they weren’t there when the environment court action was held?
OIA response 14th Feb 2022
I refer to your official information request to myself dated 18 January 2022 and to the Governor General dated 14 January 2022. You requested “all documentation presented to you […], names of who was involved, phone records, for your signature on this Proclamation under the Public Works Act 1981, Section 26” in relation to the Proclamation to take land from Murray and Margaret Shaw at 143, 143A and 148 Hall Road, Peacocke, Hamilton.
Environment Court Decision Nov 2021
Petition to Save Shaw's Bird Park
Shaw’s Bird Park, here in Hamilton is 7ha of beautifully paved bird habitat that is home to over 500 native and 3000 introduced trees and multiple species of birds. Margaret and Murray bought this property 30 years ago when it was a gully full of blackberry and gorse, now it is a wonderful breeding ground for birds and other local wildlife. They currently breed Mandarin, Carolina and Grey Teal ducks.
Hamilton City Council have planned to put the East/West Road straight through the property. To build the road, the wetlands will be filled, trees cut down and bird habitat destroyed. Two bridges will need to span the gullies at tremendous cost, but there are other options that are less invasive and cheaper. The Park does not need to be destroyed.
Shaw’s Bird Park is a wonderful asset for the community and the environment. Entry to the Park is free, but donations are welcome. Over the years countless thousands of families and children have enjoyed what it has to offer and built memories here. The environment has thrived. The Park will be lost if the Road goes through. Our petition asks that Hamilton City Council reconsider the alignment of the East/West Road through the Park, and finds one that will not destroy it.
Please show your support by signing the petition here
