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Kawau Island residents say they are being frustrated in their attempts to have a say on the future of the Sandspit Wharf carpark.
The carpark was the subject of a confidential item at a Rodney Local Board meeting on September 21.
The item on the agenda was to consider “options to provide an improved parking service”.
However, the Kawau Island Resident and Ratepayers Association (KIRRA) says the Board is not in a position to make any decisions on the carpark because it has failed to consult with the affected community of Kawau Island.
In a letter to Board members, circulated prior to the meeting, KIRRA called for the establishment of a Kawau Carpark Advisory Group to help the Board “unravel the complexities around the requirements of the carpark”.
Signed by KIRRA representative Sue-Ellen Craig, the letter suggested the advisory group include representatives from Kawau Island (permanent residents, bach owners and businesses), Sandspit Residents & Ratepayers Association, mana whenua, Kawau Cruises, FENZ Kawau Island and an appropriate Council officer.
“There is no dissension around paying for carparking,” the letter said. “What is of concern, is how those rates are equitably set for ratepayers, business and essential services versus day trippers, and the fair allotment of spaces to ensure our community can function. Like any other seaside carpark, tensions arise from December to February, with no issues evident throughout the rest of the year.”
It is understood Auckland Council is in the process of appointing a specialist parking provider to run the carpark, which has about 320 parking spaces.
The independent operator will oversee charging and enforcement, although the Local Board will set the tariffs.
After last month’s meeting, KIRRA received thanks for its correspondence, but did not receive a response to the content of the letter.
“We’d like to be involved, rather than ignored,” Craig said.
“We’ve since learned that there will be ‘public notification and engagement with iwi regarding the parking proposal … when KIRRA will be afforded the opportunity, through the public notification process, to put in a formal submission on the proposal’.
“The use of the phrase ‘public notification’ and only referring to ‘engagement’ with Iwi, is highly concerning to our community, given that choice of wording indicates the Local Board has made a decision that has not been informed by the community it will directly impact.
“It appears the Board has made a decision that is outside of Council policy and against the requirements clearly outlined in the Local Government Act.”
