Mahurangi dominates Local Board submission process

More than 860 submissions were received to the draft Rodney Local Board Plan, one of the largest responses in Auckland.

And 75 percent of the submissions came from residents in the Mahurangi area, from Puhoi to Wellsford.
The recreation needs of Rodney dominated submissions, particularly a call for an aquatic facility in Warkworth, in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Warkworth Showgrounds. Numerous submissions also wanted a guaranteed access for Puhoi on to any new highway.

A range of issues was raised, including a project to build NZ’s first herb gardens, cycleways and walkways, protection of natural areas, the need for more cemeteries, protection of endangered species and coastal infrastructure.
Hearings were held in Orewa over two days and the board is now deliberating on the feedback. It is required to adopt the final plan by October 31.

Here’s a few snippets from the hearings:

Road of National Significance

Public support for the Puhoi to Wellsford Highway project was challenged by Mahurangi West resident Cimino Cole. Mr Cole said July’s Herald-DigiPoll found that less than half those surveyed considered the planned new highway more important than Auckland Council’s planned City Rail Link. He said it was inappropriate for the Rodney Local Board to advocate for a project that currently deeply divided the Rodney community. Mr Cole said there were two urgent needs to be addressed – the need to improve the safety of the highway between Puhoi and Wellsford; and the implementation of low fossil fuel transport solutions. “The cost-benefit of the planned new highway is low – Northland’s long-term economic development would derive far more benefit from a robust programme for rail with trail.

Blast from the past

Former Rodney Councillor Grahame Powell found himself on the other side of the table when he spoke to his submission on the draft plan. Mr Powell advocated for the spending of revenue from Araparera Joint Venture on rural roads, desludging of the Wellsford wastewater oxidation ponds, removal of trees from the bed of the Hoteo River and support for the Mahurangi Action Plan. He called for a cost/benefit analysis on public transport options for the north, including rail, and was concerned about the impact on ratepayers if Council committed to spending $20 million on an aquatic facility.

Call for infrastructure

Warkworth business owner Mark Forrest put his case for better infrastructure for Warkworth to encourage investment. His business Glasshape moved to Warkworth seven years ago and employs 30 staff. “We’ve run out of building space and there is no suitable land in Warkworth with industrial zoning for us to expand,” he said. “We may be forced to relocate.” Mr Forrest said Council’s priorities should be the provision of further industrial land, the Hill Street upgrade, a four-lane bridge on SH1/Browns Road, more parking for shoppers, footpaths and guttering, and a new cemetery.