New camp toilet block stalled by board member concerns

Plans to build a second toilet and shower block at Whangateau Holiday Park hit a potential roadblock at a Rodney Local Board workshop on August 6, after two members questioned whether it was necessary.

The $385,633 project was approved by the board in June last year to make the waterside park compliant with national camping regulations and to provide fully accessible facilities for those staying at the western end of the park.

Rodney area parks and community facilities manager Geoff Pitman said council’s governing body had also approved the project, before the local board took over responsibility for its campgrounds, and it was “seen as a project that should proceed”.

“It’s not a legislative requirement – there’s no fine if we don’t do it – but it’s recognised best practice,” he said. “The park has been operating for 34 years without it, but this would raise the standard and help market the campground as a higher-quality destination.”

But Warkworth board members Michelle Carmichael and Ivan Wagstaff were unconvinced. Carmichael suggested re-marketing the nearest leased sites as self-contained camper spots instead of spending on new facilities, while Wagstaff questioned the business case, noting Whangateau currently ran at a loss.

Senior project manager Shelly Ataallah said the block would enable the holiday park managers to charge higher rates for the site by improving their offering.

Board chair Brent Bailey pushed for urgency, warning that delays risked cost blowouts.

“The people who are running it said they need new toilets and the governing body has approved that – the longer we delay it, the more risk it could be more expensive,” he said.

“They said this will help us to market the place, this will increase our revenue. We said to them we trust you to run this business properly and we will build you this asset so that you can do that.

“Let’s not ruin the business opportunity for this campground. Let’s be consistent with what we agreed to.”

Carmichael and Wagstaff remained unmoved and asked Pitman to come back with information on the kind of return on investment that might be expected from the project.

The matter is due to be decided at the next Rodney Local Board monthly meeting on August 20.