Oppose the Opening of a Mental Health Service next to Primary School in Orewa, Rodney

To: Rodney District Council, Planning Application Officer
RCSubmissions@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Oppose the Opening of a Mental Health Service in a residential house next to Orewa Primary School, Maire Rd, Orewa, Rodney.

As a community we totally oppose a residential property which borders the Orewa Primary School and directly opposite a daycare to be used as a short term, acute service for people suffering from mental health issues.

Although sympathetic to the needs of the people requiring such facilities the proposal is extremely short sighted and we insist the permission for this facility is not granted.

We understand that four to five patients will stay for a maximum of 10 days for short term support and treatment; patients could potentially be ex offenders, severe and violent personality disorders and possibly unregistered sex offenders. This is not a lockdown facility; patients are free to leave at any time. We understand it will be staffed 24 hours a day but a registered nurse is only on between 8am to 8pm.

Connect are saying that this poses no significant risk to the residents or the children, however they have not been able to provide any evidence that confirms the community (in particular young children) will not be at risk.

The site is on the boundary of a primary school and is the direct walking route to the school; it is directly across the road from a daycare facility and within a 2 min walk to the bottle shop and gambling facility on Grand Drive.

We feel it is utterly irresponsible to have such a facility at this location.

Should this proposal go ahead members of the community would not feel safe with their children walking to school or around the area without an adult present, this would directly impact upon them using the local amenities and would have a considerable negative impact on quality of life.