Media release

22 May 2013

Board adopts reserve management plan

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board adopted the Takapuna Beach Reserve Management Plan at its meeting yesterday evening.

The new reserve management plan ensures public open space for the community and provides for a mixture of structured and unstructured recreational use into the future, particularly for water-related activities.

“This is about getting the best use of precious public land for the whole community and getting increased public access and enjoyment has been paramount in our decision-making,” says local board chairperson Chris Darby.

“Takapuna Beach is a very special place, and this plan will ensure that everyone gets access to the shoreline and greater enjoyment of the reserve in the future.

“Council staff will work with the operators of the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park given that we don’t expect changes any time soon. The next step for Auckland Council is to develop a concept plan for the reserve,” Mr Darby says.

The reserve management plan allows for boat storage and motor home accommodation in the Northern Activity Zone of the reserve.

“The board has not yet considered any alternative usage for the area that the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park occupies and we are open to them continuing at the site in the meantime,” says Mr Darby.

“The resource consent for the holiday park’s chalets expires in January 2014, with no right of extension, so these will have to be removed.

“I am advised that there is nothing preventing the holiday park from continuing to operate for campers past that date. I have discussed this with the owners and they are amenable to the idea,” says Mr Darby.

“This process has been of significant public interest and I want to thank everyone who gave up their time to make their views known.”

“We had a large number of submissions and we had to find a balance that is in the best interests of the whole community. I am confident that the board’s decision achieves this,” says Mr Darby.

Ends

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