1240 submit on campground

A third party will consider around 1240 submissions on Takapuna Beach’s controversial campground’s lease and make recommendations to the local board on its future.

The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board voted on who would hear the submissions on its proposal to grant a lease to a private operator, as opposed to Auckland Council running a holiday park, at its June 20 meeting.

In an early count of public submissions, 977 were in favour of a private lease and 265 were against. A total of 49 submitters wished to speak to their submission at a hearing, that will take place in late July.

The six-person local board was split on whether the full local board should hold the hearings or whether an independent commissioner should take on the task.

Local board chairman Grant Gillon used his casting vote to appoint an independent commissioner.

Gillon said the campground ‘‘has been a controversial issue for some years’’ and he deemed the single independent commissioner as the best, and most cost-effective, way forward.

‘‘The independent commissioner allows full transparency of the process,’’ Gillon said.

Local board member George Wood is critical of the decision to go with an independent commissioner.

Wood said the local board had the available time to devote to hearing the submissions.

‘‘By hearing the submitters we will get the best material as to what the community is really saying and then will be best placed to make the ultimate decision,’’ Wood said.

‘‘Getting the views of the community through an intermediary is not giving us the best material possible.’’

The commissioner will hear the submitters and also read the papers of those who do not wish to be heard. Gillon said the commissioner will make recommendations to the board, but ‘‘the board is firmly in control of the future of the camping ground’’.

All six local board members agreed on the keeping the campground. However, the local board was split on how the campground should operate in the future. At a February 21 meeting, Gillon used his casting vote to pursue a private lease for the campground, rather than a Auckland Council-operated option.

SIMON MAUDE/FAIRFAX NZ The Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has the final say on the Takapuna campground lease.