Ward proposal has residents puzzled

A MOVE to include Campbells Bay residents in a ward that also contains Orewa is strange, says former mayor George Wood.

North Shore City Council’s submission on supercity wards and local boards will surprise residents, says Mr Wood, whose view is endorsed by former councillor Ivan Dunn.

The submission calls for Campbells Bay, in the Takapuna board area and central ward, to be included in the new Hibiscus-Albany-East Coast Bays supercity ward.

Deputy mayor Julia Parfitt says the area was once part of East Coast Bays and the community board has raised the idea in the past.

Mr Wood says during his nine years as mayor he never heard a strong community push to take the area away from Takapuna.

"This is an outrage and it is being done without substantial justification or community consultation," says Mr Wood.

Campbells Bay School is a focal point but the community it serves would be split between the East Coast Bays ward and Takapuna-Devonport, he says.

Mr Dunn says councillors were split on the issue but an informal meeting pushed ahead with the proposal.

He believes the proposal will be a "real shock" to Campbells Bay residents.

Residents are close to Takapuna but under a supercity structure they might need to travel to Orewa to deal with the new council or local board, says Mr Dunn.

Mrs Parfitt says quite a few Campbells Bay residents have told her they’d prefer to be part of East Coast Bays.

Most people shop in Murrays Bay and many children go to Murrays Bay School or Rangitoto College, she says.

Campbells Bay was added to Takapuna for statistical reasons when East Coast Bays and Albany grew, she says.

Mrs Parfitt says councillors have differing views but there was no formal vote.

Campbells Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association chairman Max Thomson says people in the area are neutral on the issue.

- © Fairfax NZ News