One of the major debates had by the North Shore City Council I was part of between 2001 and 2004 was what should happen, now that the lease for the Takapuna Camping Ground had expired. (It must've expired about ten years ago, and they were seeking a renewal.) This was a major issue for that Council. About half the Councillors believed the land should revert back to reserve - which apparently was the promise when the Camping Grounds lease had been renewed perhaps ten years prior to that.
It was a close vote, but those supporting the Camping Ground lease being extended for another ten years - presumably to around 2012 - carried the day. I was one of those councillors who believed it should revert back to public reserve. I have always believed that Takapuna politicians - particularly those who served on the old Takapuna Borough Council - had not served their community well historically (and this is recent history) in terms of useful green space and attractive parks.
I recall that a number of the Councillors who voted for the lease to be extended said they believed that after that term was the time for the Camping Ground to be given back to the public.
Yes I know - there is the matter of the public gaining North Head land and some of Takapuna Point from land that was surplus to the Navy. But that doesn't account for Woodhall Park, Alison Park, Ngataringa Park, the Cheltenham Beach reserves, the Vauxhall Sportsfields and Domain, Windsor Reserve (not even shown on this map), and Mt Victoria.
The fact is Takapuna is very poorly served with useable public space and good quality public reserves - especially public reserves that have views toward the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto, and access to the coastline. Those who believe that NOWSC's proposal to occupy even a corner of Takapuna's tiny provision of publicly owned beachfront reserve space is the right thing to do, the best use of that public space, are guilty of putting the public's interest a long way down their list of priorities.
A NOWSC is a great idea - but Takapuna should not have to give up public space to accommodate it.
9 comments:
Absolutey agree with you comments. I wonder if our esteemed leader lived in Takapuna rather than Devonport the highlighted green areas would be larger. Of the useable park areas, there are very few children's play areas in Takapuna compared to those in Devonport. We sure need a playground on Takapuna Beach, and the length of time it takes to get a children's park developed at Laketown Green is stretching into 3 years. Not good enough!!!
Yes agree with your comments excdept those re Hurstmere Green. It is no longer Green but a concrete pad as a favour to the local businesses. Thank goodness the previous Council had the foresight to purchase the corner at Hauraki for a pocket park...against the strong opposition of some of our current Board members and a Councillor.
Yes agree with your comments excdept those re Hurstmere Green. It is no longer Green but a concrete pad as a favour to the local businesses. Thank goodness the previous Council had the foresight to purchase the corner at Hauraki for a pocket park...against the strong opposition of some of our current Board members and a Councillor.
Yes agree with your comments excdept those re Hurstmere Green. It is no longer Green but a concrete pad as a favour to the local businesses. Thank goodness the previous Council had the foresight to purchase the corner at Hauraki for a pocket park...against the strong opposition of some of our current Board members and a Councillor.
While on North Shore City Council, I tried to interest Councillors in putting a themed Children's play park on the Takapuna Beach Front Reserve, but it seems that they preferred to keep it for so called casual Yacht parking during the events that keep taking over the use of this so called public reserve. It should be renamed Takapuna Boaties reserve. The Camping ground has been cut by half already and now Waka Storage is on Reserve, Storage for Rescue Boats and even the Cafe have been trying very hard to get themselves parking on the reserve, lazy buggers want their employees to park there instead of the Bruce Mason or other parking areas.
Because the camping ground was cut in half, they now have to charge heaps to keep going. So many people have fallen in love with Takapuna and in fact New Zealand after staying there. Not to mention all the tourist dollars spent in dying Takapuna Beach shopping area. Too much politics in this decision and quid pro quo.
The pocket park at Hauraki isn't particularly successful, why on earth anyone would want to relax on the grass/ benches to such a busy road/ intersection with views across to new world is beyond me.
Joel you mention that the centre is a good idea but not in this location. What alternative location would you find preferable? - the Wakatere Boat Club happily coexists with the public reserve at Narrowneck. The ability to host more international sailing events (with associated economic spin-offs from competitors, visitors etc) would add far more vitality to the wider Takapuna area than the existing campervan site or a plain green public reserve which duplicates the existing Takapuna Beach Reserve.
In my opinion, the biggest issue with Takapuna is the vast surface parking which cuts off the beach/ reserve with the main retail/ commercial area. Provider better, more legible links/ green fingers between these spaces would deliver a far bigger imporvement to the quality of public space in the area.
Thanks for this. Many North Shore beachfront reserves are shared with small local boat clubs such as Wakatere. Takapuna already has the local Takapuna Boat Club - though I disagreed with building a club room building at the end of the Strand blocking that great view of Rangitoto....
I agree that NOWSC might have economic spin-off effects that would benefit local businesses. But that should not come at the expense of public reserve land - especially since the provision in Takapuna is so tiny already. In effect it would be an economic subsidy for business from the public.
When the Camp Ground land reverts to reserve - a plain green public reserve as you put it - then the wider Takapuna community will be able to use a flat piece of reserve, that is sheltered from many winds, that overlooks the Gulf, and that is rather like similar spaces at Narrow Neck and at Long Bay - which are very heavily used for picnics, parties, and other get-togethers. Takapuna has nothing like this now. It would not "duplicate" the existing reserve - it would complement it and supplement it.
Parking is always a problem. Beachfront parking at Takapuna is very popular with boaties - just as the equivalent is at Narrow Neck in Devonport.
In my opinion the Takapuna public would love and use a public reserve where the campground is, one with picnic areas and BBQs, and which runs down to the beach, and which connects well with the coastal walkway. It is a place where oldies and young families can gather in most weathers and tides and relax and have fun. Takapuna needs more places like this.
As for where NOWSC would best be located - this is a challenge. If the objective was simply to locate great training facilities by all-year-round safe sailing waters, then Takapuna would not be the best place. I am aware that in the days of the ARC, MERC were offered a location on one of the regional parks fronting the sea in South Auckland. Has fantastic sailing conditions.
Good points Joel, I too thought the Takapuna Boat Club didnt quite fit right in that area.
I note that the NOWSC site isnt really an ideal place for swimming due to the rocky outcrop immediately offshore - would such a space be as well utsilised as the existing Takapuna Reserve which fronts directly onto the beach itself?
Additionally, should the beach itself not also come into the discussion of public space - it provides signifcant space for a wide range of activities including passive/ active recreation, picnics etc.
I agree, the "rocky outcrop" is also the recognised fossil tree reef, and requires protection. Next step after NOWSC could be a call for rock removal so boats etc can more easily gain all-tide access to water. That would not be a good outcome.
There's not much beach there when the tide is in - but the rock pools and nooks and crannies make for good play areas for little kids watched over by parents from under trees etc.
I see the Campground Reserve as a more relaxed place for picnics, without the comings and goings of Takapuna Beach and the TBC. It is also flat, more sheltered. We see different groups using the different beachfront spaces at Devonport. Diversity and difference of spaces is a good thing. The Campground Reserve is not a duplicate of Takapuna Beach Reserve.
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