Radio NZ tuning into property possibilities
With panoramic views of Mana Island and nearby golfing greens, the future use of Radio New Zealand’s surplus land at a popular public park in Porirua is up in the airwaves.
The state broadcaster, which owns a portion of Whitireia Park by its transmission site above Titahi Bay, has told Porirua City Council it is interested in having the greenfield land rezoned for residential development.
Radio NZ has seen its need for land in the area fall along with the number of its transmission masts so it has been in discussion with the council, which is currently reviewing the city’s district plan, over the land’s future use.
While it was understood the surplus land could eventually come under the Public Works Act, the council notes that any changes to its future would first involve discussions with iwi, the wider community and various other stakeholders.
Whitireia Park covers about 180 hectares of predominantly open-space grasslands, with a remnant patch of native bush neighbouring suburban life at Titahi Bay.
Radio NZ spokesman John Barr emphasised the organisation was ‘‘not a property developer and have no intention of developing this land ourselves’’.
‘‘Nothing has been confirmed or committed to as yet and any potential changes to land use are likely to be many years away.
‘‘Radio NZ is taking the opportunity to think ahead to the time when it will have more land than it needs at Titahi Bay.’’
The area has long been a home for the state broadcaster. Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage spoke when it opened a building and tower there in 1937. But times have changed and the number of transmission masts will have dropped from three to one new one, being built later this year.
City councillor Ana Coffey, who represents Titahi Bay residents, said there was increasing concern about rumours of a future housing development at the park, and there needed to be clarity about what was happening.
Former Porirua mayor Nick Leggett warned that once you lose a significant public space, ‘‘you can’t replace it’’.
‘‘Radio NZ is a publicly-owned entity. Making these moves to set the land up for future development requires them to talk to the community and let them know what they have in mind.’’
Porirua City Council environment and city planning manager Nicola Etheridge said the site – and others – would form part of a public engagement process in October; the results of which would inform the outcome of the district plan review.
It would also need to see that changes would fit in with existing residential neighbourhoods and the surrounding landscape, along with views of community and iwi such as Nga¯ ti Toa.
A Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman said their ‘‘only interest is in what, if any, impact development may have on the park, and we won’t be able to comment on that unless and until more detail emerges’’.