Golfers oppose reduction
Golfers are fighting plans to reduce the size of a central Auckland 18-hole golf course.
A design for the future use of the 32.3 hectare Chamberlain Park was approved by the AlbertEden Local Board in August 2015.
The plans, which include reducing the course to nine holes, have faced strong opposition from golfers, who have rallied together to form the Save Chamberlain Park Task Force.
The group has started an online petition that has attracted more than 3500 signatures to keep the course at 18 holes.
The new design for the park also includes a driving range, two multi-use sports fields and a public park.
Last week a ‘‘save Chamberlain Park’’ banner was erected on the St Luke’s Rd motorway on ramp, adjacent to the golf course.
Save Chamberlain Park member John Kriletich said the group was considering more protest action.
Local board chairman Peter Haynes said public space had become a luxury in the Auckland isthmus and Chamberlain Park needed to be better utilised for the wider community.
Haynes said the development would be carried out in two stages, he said he hoped stage one would start within a year.
The nine-hole golf course would be designed by some of the best golf course designers in the country, Haynes said.