Auckland City Council has reached agreement with the Catholic Diocese of Auckland to buy about 5.1 hectares of the Diocesan property at Hillsborough, which includes the former Pah Homestead, also known as Monte Cecilia House.

Mayor, Chris Fletcher, says that this is good news for the city and represents a significant step towards establishing a further major park for use by all Aucklanders.

A welcome aspect of the agreement is that it provides for Monte Cecilia Primary School to remain “as is”, in accordance with the school’s wishes, she said.

The Pah Homestead has considerable historical significance for Aucklanders and is expected to become a focal point for visitors.

“All told, this is a pleasing and positive outcome following several years of discussion. It is an important acquisition for our city, maintaining a substantial and strategically sited green area. The Hillsborough park will provide wonderful opportunities for many sorts of recreation and preserve a unique part of the city’s heritage.”

The first step towards establishing the new park began with the council’s acquisition of the former Marcellin Hall site in late 1999, she said.

“The agreement with the Diocese represents a further significant stage in that acquisition process. We are also pleased to have reached agreement with the Masonic Association to acquire an area of their property incorporating the tree-line driveway to the original Pah Homestead. This will bring the total area acquired to date to about 7.8 hectares.”

Other noteworthy aspects of the agreement are:

- allowance is made for the current emergency housing facility in the former Pah Homestead to be relocated by the Diocese over the next 12 months or more

- the Council will undertake significant remedial work in order to protect access, security and privacy for the residents of Liston Village.

Further strategic acquisitions for addition to the Hillsborough park are likely to take place over the next year or two, said Mrs Fletcher. This could include land owned by the New Zealand Marist Brothers Trust Board and the Moore family.

Bishop Pat Dunn said that the agreement with the council represents a significant step forward and he is delighted that the future of Pah Homestead and surrounding land had been secured for the future benefit and enjoyment of Aucklanders.

“The agreement satisfies the Diocese’s desire to undertake a rationalisation of its landholdings in this locality, while at the same time accommodating the wishes of Monte Cecilia Primary School trustees,” said Bishop Dunn.

ENDS

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