New park to protect public’s beach access

‘‘Plimmerton Beach is such a popular destination and this work will protect the public’s access to the foreshore for the future.’’

Houses will be cleared to make way for a neighbourhood park by Plimmerton Beach.

Porirua City Council has granted resource consent for stage one of the project that will involve removing two houses on the land it owns at 34 and 36 Steyne Ave and tidying it up for the public to enjoy and access the beach.

The city bought the properties in 2011 with the intention of creating a neighbourhood park. Since then, they have been rented out while the project went through the council’s Long-Term Plan process.

Parks Manager Olivia Dovey said the aim was to create a neighbourhood park to be enjoyed by local residents and beach-goers.

‘‘Plimmerton Beach is such a popular destination and this work will protect the public’s access to the foreshore for the future.”

She said the intention was to remove the two houses, tidy up the land and then gently landscape it before seats and picnic tables are installed.

The council planned to keep a number of large trees and gardens, already on the sites, and add to them.

She said, subject to funding, the community would in the future be asked how the space could be used long-term.

“The benefit of this staged approach is that it allows people to experience using the park before we invite feedback. We want people to get a good feel for the space before thinking about how it might be used in the future.

“Now that funding has been approved for stage one, we have been seeking resource consent for the project and are liaising with neighbours.

“All going well, we hope to remove the houses in March and have the park ready for use during the first half of this year.”