My Account
Moves to do more to preserve and promote the old Wilson cement works site in Warkworth have taken a step forward, with plans for a public meeting to form an official support society.
Warkworth residents John Tate and Tina Earl, who both live near the historic site at the bottom of Wilson Road, are organising a meeting at the cement works on Sunday, June 30 at 2pm for anyone interested in becoming a ‘friend’ of the landmark ruins.
“We need to form an incorporated society, so there’s a formal body for Council to work with, rather than individuals,” Mr Tate said.
“We’re really keen to get some kind of information booth there, maybe like the one near the Jane Gifford. The only thing down there now is one sign on a fence about the wartime economy, there’s no real history of the cement works. People coming in must think ‘what is this place?’”
He and Ms Earl told a Rodney Local Board meeting last month that the ruins were badly neglected, overgrown and dangerous, and an alcohol ban wasn’t being enforced.
“There’s a tangle of gorse and rampant vegetation. Damage is being caused to buildings by wilding tree roots growing under,” Mr Tate said. “One of the chimneys is actively targeted by vandals and it is in danger of collapse.”
However, he said with a bit of work and effort, the cement works could be an attractive and interesting place to visit.
“It could be a real jewel in the crown of tourist attractions in this area, with a bit of maintenance. We propose that, as a result of a recent article in Mahurangi Matters (MM April 3), enough interest has been shown by locals to encourage us to form an incorporated society or trust to work with Auckland Council on a management plan, with the aims of maintaining and improving the site.”
Ms Earl assured Board members they were not planning to renovate the whole site, rather just tidy it up and make it less of an eyesore.
“It can’t be repaired, it’s really about promoting what’s there as it is,” she said.
The Board has since been in touch with suggestions for the best way forward and details of relevant Council contacts, and a contractor has been on-site to get rid of some of the gorse.
Anyone interested in knowing more or joining the cause can contact John Tate on 021 175 6686 or jonbouy70@gmail.com.
