Green zone protects Long Bay

A long-awaited decision on how to develop Long Bay is set to protect the area’s picturesque environment.

Environment Court judge Jon Jackson released his interim decision on proposed development around Long Bay Regional Park on July 16.

It retains a green buffer between the park and development planned by land owners Landco.

A heritage protection zone will be set up near the park entrance and only limited development is allowed in a northern area near Piripiri Pt.

The plan is likely to allow about 2500 houses, says North Shore City Council city environment group manager Trevor Mackie.

That is more than the council’s 1800 to 2000 house proposal, but less than Landco’s proposed 3000 to 3200 house development.

Development will centre around a town centre area set back from the coast, to the south of Vaughn’s Stream.

Many of the streams which would have been destroyed in Landco’s plan are protected.

Stormwater protection proposed by the council has been for the most part retained.

Long Bay Okura Great Park Society convener Fiona McLaughlin is happy to see a buffer between the park and development.

She says the society’s $250,000 fundraising effort for legal bills was worth it to see extra environmental protection in place.

It hasn’t given up on making the entire area a great park, she says.

"We represent the people and the people want a great park. We’re still looking at obtaining additional land."

North Shore mayor Andrew Williams says the court for the most part upheld the council’s structure plan.

Significant heritage and ecological areas have been protected, while allowing enough development, he says.

Landco managing director Evan Davies says "nobody involved got exactly what they asked for" from the Environment Court.

Mr Davies says the company is not disappointed by the judge’s request for more work on the structure plan.

The Long Bay developers are keen to meet with the council to start work on a new plan.

Landco is first considering the impact of the "long and complex" decision on its plans for the site, says Mr Davies.

The parties have until November 30 to submit a revised structure plan for Long Bay.

A final Environment Court decision on the development is set to be released in March 2009.