North Shore Times (New Zealand)
PARK SALE WRONG
It is hoped that the proposed sale of the Blomfield Spa pocket park by Auckland Council is consistent with the Finance and
Performance Committee’s recent decision not to sell the Forrest Hill and Lake Rd pocket parks.
It is understandable that Auckland Council’s Panuku Development have financial KPIs to meet.
However, the loss to the community, combined with the inevitable negative local and national Government PR fall-out, would far exceed the relative minimal amount received from any sale of this park. Simplistically, assuming it sells for $1.64m (60 per cent above CV), this would make no impact on Auckland Council’s $7.6 billion debt.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member, Jan O’Connor’s Facebook post, regarding the proposed sale, received 5000 daily views - this suggests the community will take action to stop any sale, like they fought for years to save the iconic Takapuna Beach Holiday Park (whether as a camp ground, or a park).
Any park sale sets a dangerous precedent for future park sales.
Therefore this sale process (or of any park) must be halted before it’s too late. With Auckland Council’s elevated debt levels it is hard to envisage any future park acquisitions and, with Auckland’s expected population growth of 25 per cent over the next 15 years, parks will be vital in easing the public’s urban claustrophobia and for families/friends to connect. Rohan Lord
Takapuna
MARINE AND COASTAL AREA ACT
I am sure we all cherish our wonderful local environment, probably because of the proximity and unimpeded access to the beaches and sea.
The Marine and Coastal Area Act is therefore vitally important to us all.
We need to understand that this is new law going where no law has gone before. It is untried, untested and goes outside the Westminster paradigm to create a totally new form of title.
Currently over 500 claims have been lodged either with the High Court or the Government directly by various iwi, hapu and whanau. At least three (overlapping) claims have been submitted covering all our local beaches and coast by Ngati Whatua Orakei, Te kawerau a Maki, and Ngati Tamaoho. With possibly more being announced.
In the meantime, until these claims are settled - some may take years - anyone applying for resort consent, permits or approvals in the common marine and coastal area must notify and seek the views of all the groups that have applied for recognition of customary marine title in the area under the Marine and Coastal Area Act.
There is a limited time to register as an interested party to oppose each claim.
I would urge all local residents who value unimpeded access to our beaches, the right to fish our waters, sail our harbour, and otherwise enjoy the Hauraki Gulf to serve notice of appearance on the claims relating to our local beaches and coastline.
If you would like to do so, you can register at your nearest High Court. The cost is $110. The notice of appearance form is available here:
https://www.justice.govt.nz/ assets/Uploads/Example-Noticeof-Appearance-under-the-Marineand-Coastal-Area-Takutai-MoanaAct-2011-MOJ.pdf
Derek Stubbs
Bayswater
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa