APR 4, 2018 — Dear supporters
Save Chamberlain Park Inc needs to call on your generosity once more. While we await Judge Simon Moore's ruling, the Council has pre-empted our Judicial Review process and gone ahead with an application for Resource Consent in preparation for Stage 1 redevelopment plans. Surprisingly, it has recommended that its application for the Resource Consent be non-notified!. Any Chamberlain Park redevelopment should be publicly notified! Already the council has spent tens of thousands of rate payers dollars to develop a very detailed application.
If Council is successful this means that the only way of challenging it is via another costly Judicial Review. We want to raise $20,000 to get professional assistance to try and stop this application and to do all we can to ensure that at the very least it is notified.
If you would like to donate, please go to
https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/savechamberlainpark
$5 or $10 from every petition signatory would be enough.
Thanks so much for your ongoing support -
15 Million for 2 sports fields?
15 million for two sports fields!!!! That we don’t need!
No it’s not a joke. Documents obtained under the official information act reveal that the Albert Eden Local Board (AELB) wants to spend a whopping $15m of rate payer money on creating two sports fields as part of its redevelopment plans of Chamberlain Park. The AELB already has $8million of that funding from Council. It is now looking for a further $7m from Council to level off and create platforms from the significant undulation of bedrock that exists on the North Eastern part of the golf course (where the two sports fields are proposed).
The AELB claimed in its 2014 three year Plan that there was a "critical need for playing fields" in Albert Eden.
That statement is blatantly INCORRECT! We already have 32 sports fields in Albert Eden! And this exceeds the defined requirement (in hours per week) for the current population of 105.000.
So in its 2017 Plan the AELB actually dropped this claim, stating that "open space is limited" (i.e. it is not unlimited) and that the AELB will advocate for sports field "upgrades that make more of our fields usable all year around."
We totally agree with up-grading the existing sports fields that become boggy in winter! By sand-carpeting these existing fields, the hours of usage per field would be doubled. The population could grow another 40,000 and there still will be sufficient hours per week of field use/capita. With $15million, sand-carpeting 15 sports fields at around $1 million per field would provide a massively superior outcome and we can keep the 18 hole “sports-field for the working man” (aka Chamberlain Golf Course).
So why are they still pursuing the extra two fields? What checks and balances are there in the system that allows the Council to green light funding for unnecessary projects when a superior outcome could be achieved with a fraction of the funds? How does such expenditure get through? Remember it’s our hard earned rates money!
8FEB18 People vs Albert Eden Local Board
— Court proceedings were concluded today (8th February) and we are now in the hands of Justice Simon Moore who somewhat encouragingly noted in closing that (and I paraphrase) this was a very important asset for the people of Auckland and a very important case. He also noted that he would not be rushed into making a judgement.
We would like to give a huge shout out to our legal team – Julian Long, Doug Cowan, Caitlin Hollings and Lucy Gould. What a tremendous job they have done for us and those who support our cause should be comforted that win or loose they gave it bloody good shot. To paraphrase Julian – if the AELB had approached CP in a fair and serious way they would have made a proper effort to understand more about the course, its users and its utilisation. They did not because their minds were already made up!
Well now we wait and hope.
The Court case Nov 13 and 14. Update
NOV 14, 2017 — Save Chamberlain Park’s argument has been heard by the court and the argument for the Auckland Council was in the process of being presented before the court ran out of time. The case is adjourned until February 8th when the rest of the Council’s argument will be heard.
The court has asked the Auckland Council to resolve the interim position pending the delivery of the court’s judgment.
We therefore expect the council will undertake to postpone the start of any scheduled work planned for January 2018!!
If, however, the Auckland Council is unwilling or unable to provide this undertaking to delay starting earthworks, the judge has reserved leave for Save CP Inc to return to him so that the question of interim relief can be dealt with by the court.
Petition to Save Chamberlain Park presented to Council
July 27, 2017 — Our petition to save Chamberlain Park from needless and costly redevelopment was today presented to Auckland Council supported by 70 odd golfers and non-golfers. The petition attracted nearly 6,000 signatures opposing the redevelopment. Our group, Save Chamberlain Park Inc, filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court at Auckland on 30 May challenging the decision-making of the Local Board, and the consultation process it carried out.
Chamberlain Park has allowed public access to the game of golf for 78 years and has been open to anyone and everyone during that time. It is affordable and blind to all social distinctions, and is one of only two public 18-hole golf courses serving the Auckland region. With well over 50,000 rounds played there each year, Chamberlain Park is self-funding; in fact for the past three years it has been profitable.
The Herald has described Chamberlain Park as a city gem. “We believe it is not spare land and its future should not be determined by the narrow and flawed thinking of a profligate local board”, says Geoff Senescall, Chair of Save Chamberlain Park Inc. “Our group would like to see proper consideration and genuine consultation in the interests of preserving and enhancing this precious regional and community asset. Cutting it in half, and effectively killing it, is not the right way to achieve this. Surely our green spaces will become even more valuable and important as the city intensifies and the population swells.
"The local board wants to spend $30 million of rate payer money on its plans. We have submitted an alternative vision for Chamberlain Park to Council Staff and the Local Board that could be self funding if done right. Our vision allows for restoration of Meola Creek, retention of the 18 -hole golf course and increased public access to the space. But we have been ignored."
In 2014 534 people signed a petition to keep Chamberlain Park as it is but it was ignored. With nearly 6,000 signatures in 2017, surely it will be harder to ignore.
Stanley Palmer, Mt Eden artist donates a print for auction
Stanley Palmer donates work to be auctioned for court costs to oppose Chamberlain redevelopment
Renowned Auckland printmaker and painter Stanley Palmer has joined the fight to protect Western Springs’ Chamberlain Park as a green space.
The 80-year-old has donated a print of his artwork “Tower” to be auctioned off by citizens’ action group Save Chamberlain Park Inc to raise money for a legal bid in the High Court opposing a development for the park planned by Albert-Eden Local Board.
The lobbyists want to see the 78-year-old public golf course restored and preserved as a shared green space and have been involved in a stoush with the board since it announced in 2015 it would spend $30 million replacing the existing 18-hole golf course with a ninehole course, public park and playground.
Palmer, who grew up on the adjacent Linwood Ave, told the Weekend Herald he got behind the cause because of his affinity with the area and his memories of playing there as a young boy with his siblings and neighbours.
The children had a pact with the greenkeeper that they could roam and do as they pleased as long as they didn’t bother the golfers and looked after the space.
“We just played endlessly in the long grass. In the summer we built huts in the gorse. It was just like paradise around there. There was a lot more wildlife around the course at that time.”
However, developments like the Northwestern Motorway had changed the landscape he loved, he said, and at times he had been moved to tears by the pollution of the Waititiko (Meola Creek) that runs through the park. “I’ve seen the creek just die. It’s been neglected.”
Although the Local Board’s redevelopment plan included restoring the creek, which Palmer agreed with, he said the move came a bit late. He was also concerned some of the park’s green space would be replaced with concrete for roading and car parks and astro turf for sports’ fields during the project.
Palmer told the Weekend Herald the money earmarked for the redevelopment would be better spent on a planting scheme to encourage native birds from Titirangi to nest in the park’s trees and restoring some of the holes that were prone to flooding .
“I’m not against development but it has to be really well thought out. It’s a bit like a bad facelift — leave it alone or restore it.”
It was possible for golfers and local residents to co-exist and enjoy Chamberlain Park side-by-side , he said.
Hagley Park in Christchurch and London’s Richmond Public Golf Course were two examples of shared spaces he noted that worked well.
He said residents from all over the region came to Chamberlain Park just 17 per cent of golfers who use the course live in the Albert-Eden ward — so any development there was an “Auckland issue” instead of one to be decided by just the Local Board.
Quoting William Pitt, the First Earl of Chatham of the 1700s, Palmer said parks were “the lungs” of a city.
“[ They’re ] how the city breathes and it’s going to become more and more important — maybe not in my time, but in 50 years it’s going to be invaluable that space.”
A proud Aucklander for 73 of his 80 years, Palmer has advocated for the protection of several historic place around the region.
He was part of a group who spent a decade fighting to save the Presbyterian church and hall that make up Mt Eden Village centre.
New Zealand landscapes and iconic places have also served as inspiration for much of Palmer’s artwork, which is included in the national collection at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and most other New Zealand public collections.
His “Tower” print — which a spokesman for Save Chamberlain Park Inc said may fetch $2000 or more at auction — is a depiction of the iconic Mt Eden Shot Tower built in 1914 by the Colonial Ammunition Company.
Palmer said it was “big job” balancing the growing need for housing and infrastructure in the Auckland region against the preservation of heritage places and nature areas.
“I’m not a town planner but I think you preserve what you can that’s really worthwhile and you make sure everything that’s built is built really well.”
He is meeting with Jacinda Ardern, deputy leader of the Labour Party and MP for Mt Albert, on Monday to discuss his concerns about the redevelopment .
Brittany Keogh
Copyright © 2017 New Zealand Herald
This article is from the July 8 issue of The New Zealand Herald Digital Edition. To subscribe, visit http://nzherald.digitaledition.nzme.co.nz/.
Judicial Review proceedings filed to Save Chamberlain Park
Save Chamberlain Park Inc has today filed judicial review proceedings in the High Court at Auckland. The proceedings challenge decisions made by the Auckland Council and the Albert Eden Local Board in relation to Chamberlain Park and its continued use as an 18-hole public access golf course.
Save Chamberlain Park Inc was formed by a group of concerned Aucklanders who have been unhappy for some time about the decision making that has been happening over Chamberlain Park.
Chamberlain Park was developed as an 18-hole full-length golf course in the mid 1930’s, and has been open for play since 1939. It is named after Neville Chamberlain. In the mid 1970’s some of the land it utilised was taken for Auckland’s North Western Motorway. The then Auckland City Council purchased more land on the Western side of the motorway development to maintain the 18-hole configuration of the course.
A variety of Council and private operators have run Chamberlain Park over time. Since mid 2013 the course has been operated by Auckland City Parks, who have done a fine job of bringing the golf course up to standard again. The golf course is one of the highest utilised in Auckland with well over 50,000 rounds of golf played there each year. People from all over Auckland play golf at Chamberlain Park, and the course is loved by many as the club of the “working class”.
In the local government re-organisation of Auckland Chamberlain Park decision making in relation to Chamberlain Park was allocated to the Albert Eden Local Board.
Since early 2014, the Local Board has been looking at how it might change the use of Chamberlain Park to cut the golf course in half to a nine-hole configuration, in pursuit of a Masterplan development.
The judicial review proceeding that the group has filed challenges both the allocation of decision making by Auckland Council to the Local Board, as well as the steps the Local Board has taken in advancing its plans by way of the consultation they have purported to engage in with stakeholders. The proceedings were filed by Auckland barristers Julian Long and Doug Cowan
Julian Long and the chairperson of Save Chamberlain Park Inc jointly commented: “Many Aucklanders might be wondering why the fate of a large regional sporting facility might be in the hands of a Local Board. Save Chamberlain Park Inc is wondering this too. Despite its history, where its users come from, and it being one of only two public 18-hole golf courses in Auckland, Auckland Council decided that the Albert Eden Local Board should be the one to decide how the land is used. Does it surprise you to learn that there are no regional sporting facilities in Auckland under the Long Term Plan? There is no recognition of regional assets like Chamberlain Park in the allocation of responsibilities between Auckland Council and its local boards.
“So Chamberlain Park is being treated like a small local reserve of consequence only to the residents of the Albert Eden Local Board area. The proceedings say that this is wrong. Chamberlain Park is a regional asset and decisions about it should be made by the Auckland Council itself.
“Fundamental to a decision making process that involves something of Auckland wide importance is the need to involve people who might be effected by that decision in the decision making process. In this case, even if the Albert Eden Local Board was rightly given the power to decide the fate of Chamberlain Park then they were obliged to collaborate and co-operate with other Local Boards about that decision.
“But Auckland does not seem to work that way. Local Boards are in some sort of great contest against each other to compete for the facilities they each dream of having in their own areas.
“We need public golf courses in Auckland. We have two 18-hole public golf courses right now. You’d think a decision to halve the capacity of one of them would be something a Local Board might speak to others about. So much for any regional strategy for golf courses. That work is actually happening as well but its just not something that the Albert Eden Local Board is paying any attention to as they do their own “local thing” with one of Auckland’s regional assets.
“Finally, fundamental to any sort of decision making process is also the principle that a decision maker should have an open mind and not predetermine something. The proceedings allege that this did not happen with the decision to change from the status quo at Chamberlain Park.
“The question “should we change the status quo?” has never been considered in any Local Board consultation process, but was made in private in early 2014 when the Local Board asked council officials to prepare their “starting point”. That “starting point” was a Chamberlain Park with only 9 holes. What has happened is a bit like having the NZ flag referendum but with the options people are asked to choose from not include the present flag.”
Ends
For further comment please contact:
Julian Long
0272338277
Or
Geoff Senescall
Chairperson of Save Chamberlain Park Inc
021481234
Public support sought for a fighting fund to save Chamberlain
An incorporated group called Save Chamberlain Park Inc has been established as part of a campaign to stop the costly and senseless redevelopment of Chamberlain Park Golf Course.
Save Chamberlain Park Inc is now looking to raise money from its many supporters through a GiveaLittle campaign to establish a fighting fund to legally challenge what is believed to be a flawed process by the Albert Eden Local Board to spend $30m of rate payer money on turning this iconic Auckland asset from a well used 18-hole course to a 9-hole facility servicing a much smaller number of people.
A petition to “Stop the Chop” at Chamberlain Park now has more than 5,000 signatures and growing. There is widespread support for this campaign both from within the Albert-Eden ward and beyond. Set up under a Labour-led get-back-to-work scheme in 1939, Chamberlain Park continues to play an important part in providing public access to a sport that is enjoyed by young and old.
Chamberlain Park is one of only two public courses in Auckland and frequented by those who either cannot afford or do not want to pay to join a private golf course. The Albert-Eden Local Board’s actions to chop the course in half will impact many in the Auckland wide community – not least minority interests who have few alternative options when it comes to playing golf. It is somewhat ironic that championing this expensive and unnecessary change at this largely working class golf course is the City Vision led Albert-Eden Local Board (through a 3 to 4 vote with one abstaining because they turned up late).
Moreover, for those sitting in Council it is short-sighted to allow this travesty to take place. Golf has the highest participation rates of any sport in Auckland. According to statistics compiled by NZ Golf demand for golf is expected to increase over the next 15 years. Once Chamberlain Park has been chopped it will be lost forever.
Should you want to support this campaign please go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/savechamberlainpark
or
Visit our website: www.savecpark.org
Ends
Geoff Senescall
Chairperson of Save Chamberlain Park Incorporated
021481234
Senescall@senescallakers.co.nz
FAQs
Q. What basis are you taking legal action?
A. We will be bringing a judicial review proceeding. The basic tenets of our case will revolve around:
• the outcome of the AELB’s review being predetermined (the status quo was not considered) and there has been a lack of consultation
• Chamberlain Park is a Regional Asset not a Local Asset and thus should not be carved up as a result of a 3 to 4 vote (with one abstaining because they turned up late) at a local board meeting.
• The errors of fact that exist in the case that has been put to carve up the park. These are outlined below.
Q. Do you have a legal team?
A. Yes we have two experienced barristers activity working on bringing a case – Julian Long and Doug Cowan
Q. Why do you need funds?
A. Whilst Julian and Doug are generously donating a good amount of their time there are significant costs in taking a legal case against a public body which has access to significant resources – albeit courtesy of the rate payers in this case.
Q. When do you think you will be ready to bring your case?
A. We are hopeful to be ready in a month.
Additional information
1. The Albert-Eden Local Board’s case for carving up the park is simply wrong: its contentions that playing numbers are declining at Chamberlain Park, that there is a lack of green spaces in the ward and that there are not enough sports fields are demonstrably false. Here are the facts:
Golfing numbers
While it is true that a decrease from a peak of 80,000 rounds per year in 2001-2 has occurred, since 2010-11 there has been in excess of 50,000 rounds played at Chamberlain every year except one. The drop from the peak can be put down to other courses making green fee play more readily available and the low year arose from a combination of weather conditions and uncertainty arising from the actions of the local board.
DotGolf data notes that as at 17 April rounds played at Chamberlain were + 11.9% over the same period last year. This compares with Auckland overall -5.2% and New Zealand -8.9%.
The number of rounds played annually at Chamberlain is well above the average number of rounds played per year on courses in other parts of the world including Australia, Great Britain and Ireland, South Africa and Western Europe.
As noted by Dean Murphy in the NZ Herald, increasing population projections will necessitate a need for additional golf facilities so to reduce capacity does not make sense.
Lack of green space
According to the 2014 Local Board Plan Albert-Eden has 109 parks and reserves. These occupy some 10% of the board’s area and represent 2.8 hectares per 1,000 residents.
This is consistent with other world cities, where 2.83 hectares per 1,000 residents is considered an optimum. For example, a third of Melbourne’s municipalities have 10% or less open space. As an aside, Melbourne has 40 public golf courses, compared to Auckland’s two.
In addition, Albert-Eden has on or close to its boundaries green spaces such as Cornwall Park/One Tree Hill Domain, Western Springs and Meola Parks. Other parks such as Auckland Domain, Keith Hay Park and War Memorial Park are only a short distance away.
Sports field capacity
Based on Council commissioned research, Albert-Eden needs around 24 sand carpeted fields to satisfy current demand for its population base. As Albert-Eden currently has 32 fields, sand carpeting all of these would easily satisfy current demand and satisfy demand from an increased population in the future.
Installation of hybrid grass and synthetic turf pitches as has been done at Nixon and Gribblehirst Parks would more than double capacity.
2. We have tabled an alternative plan to Council but so far we have been ignored. Here is the document that we have sent to Council:
WIN WIN FOR ALL
The following is an alternative redevelopment of Chamberlain Park that recognises the importance of the 18 hole golf facility for Auckland but at the same time seeks to expand the public usage. No costings have been sought for this alternative plan but it does accommodate a broader range of activities whilst keeping the current 18 hole configuration. Our proposedredevelopment could be self funding if done properly so as not to burden rate payers. It could also incorporate most of the proposed increased usage as envisioned by the Albert-Eden Local Board masterplan.
1. Improve revenue generation
The key objective here would be to help fund some of the proposed alternative redevelopment plans (as outlined below) whilst maintaining CP as a good and affordable18 hole public golf course. Surplus funds from revenue generation could be used to promote and support golf at CP and also other activities. Currently CP is one of the busiest golf courses in Auckland – demand for a public golfing facility like CP is only going to increase with both an increasing and ageing population. In the last financial year CP generated a cash surplus of more than $200,000. It should be noted that under our alternative plan there would be no revenue loss from altering the course.
Under the AELB’s proposed initial redevelopmentthe land the other side of Meola Creek would be annexed significantly reducing the attractiveness of the courseby slicing approx 1000 metres from the course, losing both par 5 holes as well as the number one stroke hole. It is likely that CP would have to significantlydiscount its green fees to attract players but will still likely suffer a meaningful drop in usage - it is also unclear what impact that this might have on both the men’s and women’s clubs during competition golf. Moreover, there is no guarantee that the AELB will achieve the $30m of estimated funding required to complete its Masterplan meaning a permanent reduction in revenue and usage.
Some revenue generating ideas based on CP continuing to be easily-accessible mid-range but challenging 18 hole golf courseinclude:
a. Tourism
i. Just 10 minutes drive from the CBD, CP could easily tap into the increasing tourism boom. It could work with organisations such as ATEED to target the ships that come to Auckland.
ii. Ensure that all inner city hotels are made aware of CP
iii. Have a pick up and drop off service along with club rental. At a cost of say $120 per round (it could easily be more - $200 would be a cheap outing) door to door – if you got say 500 people a year that would generate $60,000 per year
b. Sports
i. Promote CP as an alternative fitness venue to teams like the Warriors and Auckland Blues (NB: both teams have been known to play early morning speed golf)
c. Kids programme
i. Put money into promoting Vic Pirihi’s golf clinic, particularly among locals. Promote golf as a game for life
d. Target the elderly
i. Promote CP as a friendly easy access course among the local retirement homes and other establishments (to facilitate access to the whole course put concrete pathways with rubber central strips through the entire course – this way CP would have an all year round cart track so that the less mobile can still enjoy the sport)
e. Event targeting
i. Target the Polynesian and Maori communities – both are already big users of CP
ii. Promote CP for corporate events
f. Other minority groups
i. CP could support groups like the blind or the disabled, becoming a venue where golf can be played
2. Alternative Plan to Broaden the Amenity
This could either self funded (using some of the initiatives outlined above), or supported by some of the capital expenditure currently being envisaged by the AELB. We note here that there are many examples of mixed usage at public courses – from Hagley Park in Christchurch to Saint Andrews Links in Scotland.
a. Develop a cycle and walking track around the perimeter of the course – there is sufficient space to make this an attractive and usable area – particularly if the Waititiko creek is restored which incorporates a solution to the sewage overflow issues at Rawalpindi Reserve.
b. Remove the greenkeeper’s shed (could be put around the bottom end of the car park that runs along the 18th green). This would create an area that could be used as a playground and or tennis courts and netball courts.
c. Create an off-leash dog area on the 15th fairway on the green keeper side of the creek – the 15th hole could be shortened for a set period in the morning and evenings. At other times there could be an experienced tee area that ensures the number one stroke hole remains in place and challenging. For other golfers the hole could be shortened.
d. Develop a virtual driving range – thus requiring much less space. Set up golfing clinics using the experience of the likes of James Kupa and Vic Pirihi. This would greatly assist for teaching and training purposes, thereby adding to the work already being done by James, Vic and the other course professionals. This range could be promoted particularly for children to give them a start and an appreciation for the game of golf so that at the very least they can pick it up in later life.
e. Along with the driving range establish a chipping and putting practice area with several bunkers to help skill improvement. It is suggested that both facilities could be located at the present coaching area alongside the current 10th fairway.
f. Upgrade the clubhouse facilities so that it can be used for community events such as art exhibitions, auctions, fund raising events, craft exhibitions, exercise and wellness classes, meetings and any other local-orientated civic activity.
NB: The only thing in the AELB Masterplan not accommodated here is the two sports fields. It should be noted that putting in sports fields at CP is problematic because of the difficult terrain (CP is sitting on basalt rock) and access from St Lukes Road which will require the support of Auckland Transport.
As part of the vision we would also suggest:
1. CP is designated as a Regional Park to reflect the fact that it is an asset that is well used by all Aucklanders and plays an important role in providing recreational activity for the many who are not in a position to join a private golf course.
2. CP is formally recognised as the “home of the casual golfer” with an 18-hole layout to reflect its patronage and to ensure that it remains an asset for generations of Aucklanders to come. CP is one of the busiest courses in Auckland and one of only two public courses in the city area.
We're letting the High Court decide
We have formed an Incorporated Society called Save Chamberlain Park Inc
as part of a campaign to stop the costly and senseless redevelopment of Chamberlain Park Golf Course.
All members are volunteers doing this for Aucklanders who either cannot afford or do not want to pay to join a private golf course.
We now need a fighting fund so we can finance a legal challenge to what we believe has been a flawed process by the Albert Eden Local Board to spend $30m of your rate payers money chopping this Auckland asset from a well used 18 hole course to 9 holes.
All funds donated through our “Give a Little” page will go into a special purpose bank account to be administered by the committee of Save Chamberlain Park Inc for the purposes of waging a legal challenge.
Our target is $50,000. Please consider donating what you can.
· a small donation of $5 (cup of coffee)
· a medium donation of $30 (a round of golf at Chamberlain)
· a larger donation of $100 (a round of golf at a private club)
Go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/savechamberlainpark
or by direct credit to the Society's bank account number 01-0270-0189923-50
Any queries can be directed to our treasurer at savecpark@gmail.com
Help stop this abuse of an iconic Auckland course by donating to us what ever sum of money you can afford - every dollar will help.
City Vision Candidate statements - our response
CITY VISION TOLD TO STOP THE BULL AND COME CLEAN ABOUT CHAMBERLAIN PARK
CANDIDATESACCUSED OF FUDGING THEIR POSITION ON REDEVELOPMENT PLANS
The Chamberlain Park action group believe that City Vision members of Albert Eden are potentially misleading the voting public by failing to come clean in their candidate information about their development intentions for the public golf course.
City Vision Local Board members Graham Easte, Glenda Fryer and Peter Haynes (all of whom are standing for reelection) have been strong advocates of a multi million dollar rate payer funded redevelopment of Chamberlain Park. Yet each of them, in the face of strong public disapproval, have chosen to play down their intentions in their candidate information.
Albert-Eden Local Board candidate Graeme Easte has stated in his Candidate Information that "The City Vision team support (sic) CP continuing to be the home of public golf while bringing in new activities and restoring Meola Creek." However, Mr Easte and his fellow City Vision Board members have voted for the redevelopment of Chamberlain Park by cutting the course in half.
Golf is an 18-hole game and a 9-hole course cannot be the home of public golf. The many users of the course who can't or don't want to afford to join expensive golf clubs deserve the opportunity to play on a proper 18-hole course. What Mr Easte and City Vision is proposing is akin to cutting a rugby pitch or a tennis court in half for amateur games.
Mr Easte's fellow candidate Glenda Fryer has also stated "No sale of Chamberlain Park", but a proposal that the course be used for housing was roundly voted against in a Shapeauckland survey and no sale appears to be on the table.
Surely it would be better for Ms Fryer and Mr Easte to both outline exactly what they are proposing so they can be properly judged by the local community rather than skirt around the issue, particularly as City Vision is proposing to spend 10s of millions of rate payer dollars on the unwanted redevelopment of an asset that already plays an important role in the community.
The action group also questions why the current Albert Eden Local Board Chairman Peter Haynes makes no mention of the park's future in his candidate information when under his leadership it is the biggest budget item proposed for the next three years should he successfully be re-elected.
A petition set up by the Chamberlain Park action group to "stop the chop" at Chamberlain Park now has circa 2,300 signatures and it expects this number to grow further in the coming weeks. That is significantly more people than the entire Local Board funded consultation process managed to get. Moreover, that consultation process had serious gaps in it, not least there was no option for the status quo and a fanciful wish list of redevelopment options with no real budget estimate. The last thing rate payers need is to spend 10s of millions of dollars on the redevelopment of an asset that already plays an important role in the community.
For comment please contact:
Richard Quince