Council sails into Takapuna boatramp fight

Relevant offers

A storm is brewing over plans to build a concrete ramp giving yachties access on to Takapuna Beach.

Residents are vowing to fight North Shore City Council's attempt to get consent for the six-metre wide, 13-metre long ramp from beachfront reserve land near the Takapuna Boating Club on to the beach.

They are worried about its effects on the environment and beachgoers.

But the Takapuna Boating Club says the ramp is needed because existing facilities are 'embarrassing'.

It would be upsetting to see more reserve land concreted over, says Takapuna Residents Association chairman Ron Fairley.

He plans to make a submission against the application at a resource consent hearing on the ramp.

"This is a lovely little green park, and I object to massive pieces of concrete which will ruin its soft green edge," he says. "It's going to cause increased issues with run-off, and encroachment on the park."

He's concerned the ramp will just be the beginning of development at the reserve.

"It sets a precedent. Once they get their concrete ramp, the next thing will be a road down to it."

A concrete ramp will stop access along the beach, says Takapuna resident Mary Norton.

She's also worried about plans to cut down and replant four young pohutukawa in its way.

"It's going to extend five metres from the existing seawall. That's going to make the beach impassable at high tide."

A permanent ramp is essential for future international sailing events at the boating club and to increase pedestrian access to the beach, says Takapuna Boating Club events director Grant Cunningham.

It would be embarrassing to make the world's best sailors use existing wooden ramps, he says.

"We had temporary ramps built in 1988, and they're still here. At the moment they're 18 inches off the sand, thanks to the storm. There's no way we can run these events on them. It would be totally embarrassing."

Plans for a concrete boat ramp near the club have been in the pipeline for about two years.

The latest design was given landowners consent by the Takapuna Community Board in 2006.

Now the council parks department is applying to the Auckland Regional Council and North Shore City Council for resource consents.

Council Takapuna parks manager John McKellar wants the new design approved and built by summer.

"We're trying to do this as quickly as possible so we have it in time for this summer's events, and also for pedestrians who will be using the beach in summer," he says.

Submissions close on August 10.

- © Fairfax NZ News