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Anyone with an interest in the Sandspit carpark has until December 16 to make a comment on a Rodney Local Board proposal to grant a licence to a parking provider.
The Board has put forward a range of parking fees for the casual and long-term use of the carpark, which can accommodate up to 320 vehicles.
The fees range from free for the first 90-minutes to $22 for a car and trailer for 24 hours. Anyone taking a day trip to Kawau Island during the summer will be looking at a $16 charge.
Council spokesperson Kim O’Neill says the results of the feedback will be reported to a Local Board meeting early next year, so it is unclear when the new fees will be introduced.
Parking on the spit has been free since late 2020, when management transferred from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council and the Board.
Kawau Island Residents and Ratepayers Association spokesperson Sue-Ellen Craig says the group is still awaiting the outcome of the recent draft Rodney Local Parks Management Plan, where its significant interest in Allotment 340 (a portion of the wider Sandspit Reserve, where the carpark and other Kawau Island services are located) and concerns with the recent non-notified reclassification of that parcel of land, were raised.
“Because everything is connected, an effective management plan for Sandspit is essential,” Craig says.
“We’re delighted with the recent progression of a positive korero between our association and other similar associations around the Sandspit area. I expect we will see full representation in the collaborative process we’re developing to establish such a plan.”
The association had expected Council would engage with the Kawau association about the Board proposal.
“Instead, all we know is the limited information that was in the public notice, which was not placed in publications readily accessible to our island community.”
Craig says Council staff have been very apologetic about the process undertaken to date and have confirmed Council is keen to establish a proposed carpark advisory group.
“Coastguard, Fire & Emergency NZ and Kawau Cruises have already confirmed support and we’ll continue the process of gaining other appropriate representation, formally establishing this group in the coming months.”
Sandspit Residents and Ratepayers chair Peter Deane says that whatever happens at the spit needs to have a long-term lens put on it.
“Issues such as the very serious impact of sea level rise need to be factored into any plan,” he said.
