AT bows on wharf closure

Auckland Transport (AT) has backed down on a plan to close Sandspit Wharf over summer following a storm of protest from local business owners, community groups and residents.

About 50 people from interested groups made their views known to four AT officials at a meeting on October 2 at Café Sandspit. The meeting was chaired by Beth Houlbrooke, who is also chair of the Rodney Local Board.

Business owners complained they had not been consulted about the planned closure for repairs and the timing – during the busiest time of the year – could not have been worse. Many said it was the only time of year their businesses could make money.

Following the meeting, asset structures manager for AT Matiul Khan said that after a review of the concerns raised, AT had decided to defer maintenance work on Sandspit Wharf until after the summer season.

However, he said movement of vehicles on the wharf would need to be managed and/or restricted until maintenance works could be done.

Ms Houlbrooke said the outcome was a huge relief and she praised community members for working together to achieve a positive outcome at the meeting rather than simply hurling stones at AT.

David Lee, owner of the Bon Accord Bar and Bistro, located at the Kawau Boat Club, said the outcome was a pleasant surprise.

“It’s put a little bit of faith back into the system for us. You can actually have a say in these things and they listen.”

Mr Lee was untroubled by restricted movement of vehicles on the wharf saying it was reasonable and what locals had asked for. Previously, Mr Lee had threatened to lie down in front of the bulldozers if repairs had gone ahead as originally planned.

Correction: In an earlier story Mr Lee was wrongly identified as the owner of the Kawau Boat Club.