Beachside Onehunga

JANIE SMITH

SANDY beaches in Onehunga are a step closer to becoming a reality after the Auckland City Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency formally pledged their funding and support for the project.

A $28 million agreement was signed by Auckland city mayor John Banks and agency regional director Wayne McDonald on the Onehunga foreshore on Wednesday.

The council is contributing $10m and the agency will fund the remainder.

The planned 11-hectare reclamation will stretch from the Onehunga wharf to Seacliffe Rd and will feature beaches, walkways, cycleways and a sheltered boat ramp.

Onehunga Enhancement Society chairman Jim Jackson says it will be the largest reclamation undertaken in New Zealand for recreational purposes.

"This agreement is a major milestone in the restoration of the Onehunga foreshore. It's really important this is put in position, showing a commitment by Auckland city and NZTA to delivering an outcome that is going to last the community for the next 100 years."

Mr Jackson hopes fill left over from the Waterview tunnel project can be used to help build the beaches.

"The community would be happy to see it finished by 2014."

Mr McDonald says using fill is an option but viability will depend on its quality and whether it is suited to the foreshore environment.

"A lot of thought goes into shaping these areas and getting the right material, so it won't wash away or have any nasties in it."

That decision is still some time away, he says.

Environment Minister Nick Smith says transporting large amounts of fill from the Waterview project for hundreds of kilometres is not environmentally friendly and if possible it will be used for the foreshore.

Mr Banks says the agreement is a tribute to those who have tirelessly pushed for the project. "Thanks to Jim for its long-term advocacy, which has verged on harassment. If you want to get something done, you have to become in the community something of a pest, in the nicest way.

"Jim is both a harasser and a pest in the nicest way on behalf of the community and it's why we're here today."

Mr Banks also credits Maungakiekie MP Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga and Maungakiekie Community Board chairwoman Bridget Graham for their dedication to the cause. "This area has been neglected for a long time. The project has been promised for three decades."

Mr Lotu-Iiga says the foreshore reclamation has been a major focus for him since he was elected to the council in 2007. It remained a passion even after he stepped down last year to focus on his role as MP.

"I'm really optimistic, I think we're going to get a really positive result."

The council plans to issue a request for tenders this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News