Public get behind proposed Community Marine Activity Hub on Takapuna Beach Reserve

A proposal for a Community Marine Activity Hub on the Takapuna Beach Reserve has got a thumbs up from the public.

A majority (50.8%) of submissions to Auckland Council are in support of the Harbour Access Trust’s (HAT) Resource Consent application, which involves greater public access to a prime part of the coastline, green open park-like spaces, and sailing and marine-related activities.

Auckland Council received a total of 1022 submissions.

Yachting New Zealand CEO Dave Abercrombie says ongoing feedback and support from a diverse range of people has been terrific.

“There are those who want greater public access to a wonderful part of the coastline and there are those who support a national facility for our New Zealand Olympic sailors. Others want to relax and enjoy the park-like environment with its public facilities or take their families for picnics and watch water activities like sailing, Waka Ama and paddle boarding,” he said.

“It’s been truly great that people have appreciated our vision for a wonderful community hub which will be an asset for future generations of all ages.”

Mr Abercrombie says the proposal’s design and use is absolutely consistent with the Council’s Takapuna Beach Reserve Management Plan. The plan states that one of the key functions will be to position part of the reserve as a hub for marine sport and recreation. It also supports open green space for the wider public to enjoy.

The Takapuna Beach Reserve Management Plan was prepared and made operable in 2013 by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. The Plan does not include the continuation of the camping ground lease which lapsed in 2013. Currently it is on a month-to-month temporary lease.

“We are not the reason for the campground closing. That was a decision first made in 2003 then reinforced in 2013 by the Council,” he says.

“The closure of the campground will happen, regardless of what takes its place,” says Mr Abercrombie.

“When this became evident, what we did is focus on developing a concept for the site which opened up the foreshore to the wider public and which meets the Takapuna Beach Management Plan’s vision.”

HAT has consulted with the public and Iwi and has altered the plans based on feedback. This included reducing the Yachting New Zealand building to one storey, reducing the building footprint, relocating it to the rear of the site and designing it so there is a clear view corridor with a publicly accessible grassed roof.

The Harbour Access Trust will be contributing to the beautification of the reserve with extensive landscaping plans focused on native biodiversity, development of public facilities such as toilets, showers and change facilities as well as boat storage and meeting rooms for hire.

“I can understand the campground people saying it’s a wonderful spot. It is. And the proposed Harbour Access Plan would see an even better use of the site, with greater public benefits for generations to come,” says Dave Abercrombie.

ENDS

© Scoop Media