Dad’s Pump-Track Project Hit By Delays

Thursday, 6 February 2025, 9:42 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

A south Auckland resident's plans to build his beach community's first pump track could be put off until next summer due to the council's longer consultation period.

Motivated by his three children, Byron Scott wants to build a dream pump track in the Maraetai and Beachlands area.

He had the expertise and $110,000 of his own funds ready to build a 360-square metre asphalt pump track on Constellation Park, this summer.

Last December, the Franklin Local Board threw their support behind the project, and approved a shortened consultation of two weeks so the build could get underway before winter.

However, Auckland Council decided to extend the consultation period by a further two weeks, much to the disappointment of local board member Logan Soole.

"Given the strong support for more play space in Franklin and that a playground already exists immediately next to it, it's unfortunate the consultation will extend beyond two weeks," Soole said.

According to council's project timeline, public consultation should end by February 28, a feedback evaluation and report to the local board would be drawn up in March, and a decision reached after that.

Soole said it was really important they didn't miss out on this opportunity.

"The 4-month delay created by the consultation process may jeopardize the project, as work can't start in winter.

"The risk of delays were clearly outlined by the sponsor, Trailpro, to elected members at their December 10th meeting."

Council's parks and places team leader David Barker said they were grateful for Scott's generous donation for a pump track at Constellation Park.

"Before works start on the project a consultation process is required to be carried out," Barker said.

At the local board workshop in December, council staff did confirm with the board that consultation would be carried out in February 2025, he said.

"Whether the consultation was for two or four weeks in February, [it] does not affect the planned timeframes of providing a business report with consultation feedback in March 2025.

"The council therefore considered that it would be better to have the consultation period open for longer, on the basis this would generate more submissions and allow the board to make a more informed decision on whether to proceed with the project."

He said the consultation feedback would be prepared for the local board's business meeting on March 25, and there were no delays to the timeframes discussed last year.

Since consultation was opened, council has received 67 responses, with a vast majority being positive.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.