Media release
9 June 2011
No end to the golden weather

Prime parkland next to iconic Takapuna Beach is now under review.

Auckland Council is preparing a reserve management plan for the Takapuna Beach Reserves, which will include within its scope all council-managed beachfront parkland between Earnoch Avenue and Hauraki Road.

This community-focused process, which formally reviews and builds on the last management plan produced in 2001, will address:

The future of the Takapuna Beach Motor Camp where the lease is soon to expire;
The six road ends which abut the beach reserve and act as reserves;
The 24 stormwater outfalls which discharge onto the beach;
The proposal to build the National Ocean Water Sport Centre; and
The concept of a wharf.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board will work alongside the council's parks team throughout the management plan process to give voice to the public will.

Board chairman Chris Darby says community involvement is key to ensuring the review successfully reflects the wishes of local residents, the business community and the many visitors who flock year-round to the beach that was immortalised in Takapuna playwright Bruce Mason's classic one-man play, The End of the Golden Weather.

“Too often we find ourselves reacting to ideas and proposals in isolation of an understanding of the wider context and long-term view,” Mr Darby says.

“An estimated 100,000 people currently live within 5km of Takapuna Beach and by 2040 that will be more like 150,000. The beach and coastal edge is precious and we’re under enormous pressure to provide a range of functions. We need to get the balance right and accommodate human demands in a manner which is sensitive to the natural environment and other users,” he says.

Ann Hartley, a North Shore ward councillor who chairs Auckland Council's regional development and operations committee, welcomes the management plan review.

"As Chris says, we need to hear from the community on how we can preserve this timeless taonga, a green and golden treasure which is there for all Aucklanders and our guests to enjoy," she says.

The inaugural (1989-1992) North Shore City Council - of which Ann Hartley was mayor - bought the prime beachfront land from Tower Corporation for just under $10m.

“While we were criticised by some people at the time, the land is now worth vastly more and - as the plan will confirm - will be protected for generations to come.”

If you wish to comment, please put your views in writing before August 5 and send them to:
Terry Baxter
Community and Cultural Policy, Auckland Council
1 The Strand, Takapuna
Private Bag 92300 AUCKLAND 1142
Or email: terry.baxter@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

ENDS

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