Viewpoint – Fighting the barrage

I’m drafting this Viewpoint article while riding in comfort on the Gulf Harbour ferry service, reminding myself how lucky I am to call myself a Coastie. But as Coasties we’ve been subject to quite the barrage locally of late, whether it be the reduction (and then reinstatement) of ferry services, attempts to circumvent the long-standing covenant on the Gulf Harbour Country Club land, wastewater treatment capacity concerns curtailing development, increased development outpacing infrastructure. Penlink and how it should have been more lanes, safety for our kids on public transport and financial pressures on ratepayers from the cost of living.

Your local board remains actively engaged in all of these issues with a significant amount of professional  and political expertise sitting around the table. This will be even more important moving forward into Mayor Brown’s vision of increased local board decision-making, which with some local boards budgets and greater influence over local assets as well as many decision-making powers that will be devolved from Auckland Transport to elected representatives.

What follows is my own personal opinion, along with your other Hibiscus Coast representatives Gary and Leanne, and is not that of the totality of the local board.

Where we believe we have erred is in our handling of the Ōrewa Beach “dune restoration” also termed “naturalisation” proposal. We are strong believers in the right for locals to be able to input on decisions of local significance and this in our opinion is one such issue. Having been invited to speak to locals on the issue, there is significant interest by them in the implementation of a rock seawall solution. At stake is Ōrewa as we know it, with the loss of significant amounts of car parking, large amounts of reserve space and potential relocation of the current playground and courts.

It is my opinion, given the above, that a rock wall should be included as an option to be consulted on by Auckland Council to let Coasties have their say.

To be clear, I cannot predetermine any outcome before a decision is made by your local board. Having said this, I don’t believe advocating for the public being allowed to input into another potential option is making a decision or predetermining any decision of the local board on which I sit as a member.

I encourage all Coasties with an interest in Ōrewa to engage with this important issue ahead of consultation through Hibiscus Matters and with your local representatives.

It is imperative that you be heard during consultation whether the sea wall is given as an option or not.