Lyall Bay:Full Circle. From Tea House back to Restaurant.

Almost a year after The Spruce Goose opened in Lyall Bay ,a new resource consent has been lodged with Wellington Council for change of use from residential to commercial
The location of this change is 219 Onepu Road which in the early days of Lyall Bay was known As Lyall Bay Tea Rooms. On the opposite side of Onepu Road was one of the early cinemas in the area and later in life became Wild Style Cafe before it being converted into a house.

Picture Turnbull Library

Lyall Bay has always been a destination for people from the days when the trams started running from Wellington to Lyall Bay.
Evan now its the place where a lot of people visit,so it will be interesting to see if this new venture brings extra people to the beach, and will make a mark.

Brief Description of the Proposal:

The current owners bought the building in 2013. They have considered the best way to keep the character of the building and it was decided to change its use to commercial use.
The proposal is to operate the business as a Cafe/Restaurant/Bar,with opening hours from 7am to 10.00pm 7 days a week,with the aim of attracting patrons in the afternoon and early evening.
8 to 12 staff are anticipated as necessary dependent on demand from patrons.

Some signage is likely with at least one sign either on the Onepu Road side or the Lyall Parade side.

Other external changes are proposed for the rear (North) of the property. An outdoor seating area is proposed immediately north of the building. Also a freezer unit will also be located on the eastern boundary of the site.

District Plan Rule:

The site is located in the outer Residential Area and is subject of active Plan Change 72. This means the proposal will retain and re-use an existing building.
Minimal works are proposed to the building exterior. The building’s current aesthetics will be improved through painting and maintenance of the current structure.

Car Parking Effects:

There will be 5 off street car parks for the northern portion of the site.The proposal will have an acceptable effect on the current on-street car parking. There is a relatively high number of on street parking spaces available in the immediate area,including a high number of parallel and angle spaces along Lyall Parade.
It has been observed that these spaces are at their peak use on weekends particular in the summers. This parking can been attributed to Maranui Cafe and people enjoying Lyall Bay Beach.
It should be noted here that the premises will be open at the same time as Maranui, however this is unlikley to contribute to any on street car parking issues in the area.

It is also noted in this proposal that they will not be in competition with Maranui.

The ground floor will sitting area over 2 rooms with kitchen and double doors to the outside area as well as toilets. The upstairs will be a function room,office and toilets.
Access to the floors will be by internal stairs.

This proposal does not include #56 Lyall Parade,which is the smaller house next to it. It was noted that renovation work is or will be carried out on the property.

There is no indication of name or when work is due to start or be completed.
Note: The above details is very much a brief summary of the details in the resource consent proposal. Service Request number 316890.
I will be adding pictures to a album on Lyall Bay Facebook page over time and updating the progress as it happens.

**I have an additional link from Lyall Bay Facebook Page that has created a lot of interest from the community** (1)

** Resource Consent has not been issued. It has been presented to the Council but delayed due to illness of one of those attending the meeting. Only those submitted letters to the council will be to present their concerns etc. Otherwise it is not open to the public.** (2)

Second update 6th April 2015
Lyall Bay FB Page with a number of comments (1)

Lyall Bay Facebook
Wildbaynz Twitter

Please note i welcome comments or corrections which will be only published if there is a name. Anonymous comments will not be published
Updated 16th March 2015
wildbaynz/windyhillflyingclub 2014

History- Business that has come and gone in Lyall Bay: WildStyle

It was always the place where the Lyall Bay Coast Care Group would meet either before or after a beach clean up. On those wonderful coastal day you could sit outside attempting the 5 minute quiz in the DomPost whilst cars would come and go dropping people for either a coffee or a walk along the beach.
From its large front window that looked out to the Cook Straits you would be able to see all types of weather that this part of the coast would show.

Many new friends were made including Russell (the owner) and his staff who would make you feel welcome and they became part of your life for a few minutes, for some even longer.

You could read a child’s book, a paper, browse the Internet or play Connect with those who felt the need.
Surf lessons could be booked for all ages and experience and had a small selection of surfboards and clothing.

Apart from coffee it a had a great selection of cakes etc and during the winter a varied selection of soup.
It will be missed by many. Thank you Russell for making the visits an enjoyable one.

What is known to date is the building was built around 1909/10 but more than likely 1910. It was built as a cinema and is reported to be the 2nd one that was built in the Wellington area.

The cinema was in use up to around the 40’s(?) when it became a Tea Room. The cinema was called the Sea Side Picture Theatre and when it became Murdoch Tea Rooms.

It may seem odd that Lyall Bay would have a cinema, but as this was classed as a destination resort which was opened up with the introduction of the trams.

The building was sold and after a long renovation it has now been turned into a house which has a stunning frontage.

wildbaynz/lyallbaynz 2013

Originally posted 2011

Updated 12/13

Out There and Behond: Wellington’s Hidden Art: The Doo Doo’s

This piece was created by Peter Kundycki in 1998. It sits on the south coast of the North Island between Moa Point ( nr Wellington Airport) and Tarakena Bay ( below the Turkish Memorial: Ataturk Memorial)
It has been given the name of The Doo Doos before the sewage treatment plant was constructed at Moa Point the raw sewage was piped out into the Cook Straits and the stones reminded the locals of what was seen floating out and around the area.

The only way that you can see the piece is either by car where you can park near by or walk from Lyall Bay passing underneath the southern end of the airport, or you walk the Eastern Walk Way which will take you by the sculpture.

Take time to enjoy the great views that this coast line has to offer.

Eastern Walk Way. A brief details on the walk.

James/ wildbaynz/windy hill flying club.

Lyall Bay: Arson and Being a Community

The arson attack last night in Lyall Bay (25th August 2012) with the Maranui main skip being set alight ( could have been a disaster as it was near the gas pipe) also the bin near the Playground it has brought to light how important we as community we can play.
We all need to be aware what is happening around us, and with those who have strange hrs at work you will be around at times when very few people will be about.
We need to look after each other and ask if anything happens out of the ordinary.
Many people have said over time they like Lyall Bay and feel its their home. Its now time to start being a community and not hide. It could be your house,or business and or worse someone could get hurt.
Now is the time to stand up and be counted.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club

Thank you to lyallbaylemoNZ for the idea.

Lyall Bay:Aviation Street Names.

UA-33228096-1

Located within the Airport Retail Park next to Wellington Airport are 2 streets that have been named after 2 people that have contribute to aviation in the early days within New Zealand.

Cochrane Street: Named after Sir Ralph Alexander Cochrane. He was born in Scotland and served in WW1 as a test pilot. From 1920 he spent time with the RAF research department.
In 1936 he was seconded to NZ to report on the air defence policy. This policy was accepted by the government of the day.After this he was appointed as NZ 1st Chief of Air Staff.
In 1939 he went back to the UK and was part of the bomber group that become known as the Dambusters.
In 1952 he retired and passed away in 1977.

George Bolt Street:Named after George Bolt one of the original pioneers of NZ Aviation.During the period of 1911 to 1914 he built and flew gilders. During WW1 he was chief instructor at the NZ Flying School in Auckland.
After the war he first flew airmail and in 1919 and the 1st flight between Auckland and Wellington.. Between 1931-35 was an instructor at Wellington’s Aero Club,then chief pilot for Cook Strait Airways.
During WW11 was a senior engineer.
From 1944 to 1960 worked for Tasman Empire Airways which is now known as Air New Zealand.

On the pavement opposite Rocket Bikes and Dicksmith (not far from LifeFlight) you will see 2 concrete plinths at right angle. On these are 2 metal plates that are inscribe with the full information about the above 2 aviators.

Cochrane Street and George Bolt Street. Shows location of the 2 streets and the surrounding area.

Cochrane Street runs from Lyall Parade between The Warehouse and NZ Airforce Movements building. Whilst George Bolt Street runs from the Lifeflight Building passing Cochrane Street towards Tirangi Street.

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.

Lyall Bay:The Coolest Little Op Shop,Cat Protection League

Tucked away along Kingsford Smith Street is The Coolest Little Op Shop (well 2 containers) is the Cat Protection League.For almost a year until today (29/07/2012) it has been on a small plot of land next to Centennial Cafe and has been trading out of 2 small shipping containers.

Its opening hours has been 10am to 4pm on a Saturday and Sunday,selling a range of items including books, clothing and small house hold items amongst other items.

As the land has been sold and the new owners wish to develop the land for other things, they have no choice but to close and or move.

Well the good news is that they are moving a few metres up the road to the building that overlooks the beach at Lyall Bay.
They will be located in a room on the ground floor. The building can not be missed as it also houses Real Surf,Surf Shop.

There will no need to worry about the weather as the building is weather proof, it has a toilet,a heater and more room to find that item you never knew you needed.Also there is still plenty of parking, you can still get a coffee and then head to the beach for a stroll.

It will reopen on 11th August.So check it out and give it your support. There is no need to worry about the weather.

Give it a look.

Cat Protection League, Wellington

James/ Windy Hill Flying Club.

Lyall Bay: July Dune Planting 2012

Join the Lyall Bay Coast Care on Sunday 8th July to continue its planting and gap filling of the dunes along Lyall Bay Beach. This a on going process to help bring the dunes back to life and to reintroduce more native plants into the dunes.

On Sunday we will be planting 500 plants as part of this process. All are welcome to help and get to understand the dunes and the long term plans for them.

We will be meeting opposite Real Surf at 10am. We will be planting further along near Briscoes. You will be helped on how to plant the plants and then take a look at some of the areas that already have had planting completed and how they now are looking.

Its a good opportunity to bring the family during the school holidays to help keep Lyall Bay Beach a great place to visit and enjoy a walk or a few hours.

Bring a trowel and gardening gloves. There is a Facebook Page called Lyall Bay Coast Care which shows up coming events like the Dune Planting and Beach Clean Up. Take a look and ask to join and keep eye on what happens throughout the year.

I will update this page with photos of the planting.

James/WildBayNZ