ARC relieved at Environment Court decision

The Environment Court has rejected a proposal to rezone 650ha of land on the Tawharanui peninsula adjoining Omaha.

The development would have seen 500 dwellings and an 80 bed hotel concentrated near Omaha South and a lodge and 42 dwellings spread through the rest of the site. Also proposed was a large water supply dam and wastewater treatment system

The Auckland Regional Council (ARC) is relieved that the Environment Court confirmed that the land is not appropriate for urban development.

The ARC acted vigorously to oppose development of this size and type in this location as it would have compromised one of the region’s favourite coastal assets.

Chair of the ARC’s Regional Strategy and Planning Committee, Paul Walbran, said that the Tawharanui peninsula is culturally and ecologically important. “It includes stunning coastal landscapes, the fantastic Tawharanui Regional Park which adjoins the proposed Omaha Park site and the pristine Whangateau Harbour,” he said.

“We feel that urban development should be avoided in the most sensitive locations. It makes much more sense to encourage managed growth in existing settlements and urban areas where environmental, landscape and character impacts are generally less critical and infrastructure and facilities can be provided.”

ENDS

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