INDEPENDENT NEWS

Newmarket Park Building Still An Option

Published: Fri 25 Feb 2000 04:25 PM
25 February 2000
NEWMARKET PARK BUILDING STILL AN OPTION
A derelict teahouse on Newmarket Park will be demolished, Auckland City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee decided today after nearly 12 months of deliberations.
A new building, in a more secure and convenient part of the park and tailored to the exact needs of local residents, is among the options the Council will consider as part of the park’s future development.
The Parks and Recreation Committee made its decision today after learning that none of the five tenders received for use of the teahouse was compatible with what the reserve can legally be used for.
The Newmarket Park is classified under the Reserves Act as a recreational reserve and zoned under the Auckland City District Plan for informal recreation – although the part that includes the teahouse and adjacent lake is zoned for organised recreation.
Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Cr Phil Raffills, says an enormous effort has gone into resolving whether or not the teahouse – which has been severely vandalised – should be retained. This had included calling for expressions of interest for reinstatement and ongoing management of the building.
The Council had estimated the cost of reinstating the building at between $411,000 and $471,000.
“Today’s decision was extremely difficult but we now have an opportunity to move forward and, in consultation with the community, turn an area that has laid idle into an attractive and well used asset for Newmarket.”
He says a development plan is being developed for Newmarket Park. Concept plans had been prepared and these would be released for consultation by the Hobson Community Board in the near future.
“We are looking forward to working with Newmarket Park neighbours and the Newmarket Park Protection Society in particular progress the park’s development.
“There is an opportunity, as part of that development, to provide a multi-purpose community facility.
“It could be positioned closer to the carpark, where it would be easier to get to and easier to protect against vandalism.”
For more information contact
Cr Phil Raffills
Ph 625 6750
Or
Paul Wilson
Manager, Parks Open Space Planning
Ph 379 2020

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