Opposition to Hammerhead subdivision gains momentum

‘Access’ was the word on everyone’s lips as more than 200 people crowded into Gulf Harbour Yacht Club last week to discuss the subdivision of the Hammerhead.

The land known as the Hammerhead, at the tip of Gulf Harbour marina, will be subdivided and leased to Gulf Harbour Investments following a High Court decision in 2009 – a recent resource consent application is the next step in that process and a chance for the public to have its say.

What Gulf Harbour Investments will do with the land is as yet unknown, but Councillors and local board members are concerned about the potential impact on free public access.

“Once Gulf Harbour Investments has a lease, it will pay rent so it will no doubt want to add value to the land,” Cr Watson says.

Key concerns raised at the meeting were the possible effects on the growing ferry service to and from the city and parking, as well as access to the boat ramp and for recreational users. The site’s role in a Civil Defence emergency is also seen as crucial.

Protecting public access requires the provision of an esplanade reserve (Queen’s Chain) around the land and ensuring that the strip is included in the plan will be the focus of many submissions.

The meeting on February 9 was called by Crs John Watson and Wayne Walker, who were encouraged by the turnout. Hibiscus & Bays Local Board member Janet Fitzgerald also addressed the crowd.

Mrs Fitzgerald said that the local board’s legal team advised that the resource consent application, by Council CCO Panuku Development Auckland, should be withdrawn because the change in use of the area means the subdivision does not fit with the Council’s proposed Unitary Plan. The local board also engaged town planner Jason Evans to make a submission.

The councillors stressed that public access is vital, and has become far more so in recent years. They said not to underestimate the role that ‘people power’ could play, especially in the form of submissions. A total of 140 submission forms were snapped up and individuals and groups such as the Marine Village Association, iwi, berth holders and developers Top Harbour were encouraged to get involved, as well as consider pooling their resources.
Last week Auckland Transport advised Hibiscus Matters that it will make a submission.

Both councillors pointed out that this is only the first step in what is likely to be a long, drawn out process.

Submissions close on February 19, at 5pm. They can be made at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz (under Publicly Notified Consents) and details are also at libraries and the Orewa Service Centre in Centreway Rd.