Help offered to restore historic tidal pool

North Shore City Council will help a community group by applying for consent on its behalf to restore the historic tidal pool at the base of North Head in Devonport - so everyone can once again enjoy its unique setting.

The pool was originally built by Alexander Watson, who developed North Head in the 1880s. The pool was directly in front of his house at Torpedo Bay.

North Shore City's community services and parks committee agreed to apply to the Auckland Regional Council for consent required to restore the pool.

However the application would be subject to the results of a risk assessment, which will cover issues of public safety, maintenance and public access.

Committee chairwoman, Margaret Miles, says her council was happy to offer to help the North Head coastal project group and Devonport Rotary, which has been working on the project since 2003.

"They have done some great work so far and the restoration of the pool will mean people will make greater use of the stunning foreshore between Torpedo Bay Wharf and North Head," she says.

Devonport Community Board had recommended to the council that it make the consent application for the project, which does not require council funding.

The plaque set into the cliff near the pool was installed in 1919, when the Watson house was being used as a convalescent home. Returned soldiers used it for therapy.

The plan is to restore the pool to its original form, with a self-flushing system where the water level rises and falls with the tide. Rocks would also be added at the northern end of the pool for easy public access, and to provide protection from erosion.

Access to the pool would be from the beach beside the Navy's boat ramp at low and mid tides.

"It would be wonderful to see people enjoying such a feature of Devonport's history more than 100 years after it was built," says Councillor Miles.

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