12 Mar 09
The Te Arai hearings at Orewa for the Rodney District Plan change began on Monday 2nd March 2009 with the applicants getting the week to present their case. Surfbreak presented it's evidence on Wednesday afternoon of week 2 among others who oppose the change.
Among those presenting were Auckland Regional Council, DoC,
Forest & Bird, Te Arai Preservation Society, a number of
residents, Surfbreak Protection Society, Grant Lahood (Save Te Arai
campaign) and other surfers - all in opposition to the proposed
change.
We hope that some compelling evidence by Chris Wild in support
of the fragile coastal bird situation at Te Arai and the marine
life in the stream and lakes will not be ignored.
Sadly there seemed not to be any great recognition by the
Commissioners of the amenity value placed on the area for surfing.
A private observation was made by a local that surfers made up the
vast majority of people who regularly visit Te Arai - not a
surprise to us.
We do not believe that the applicant has provided demonstrable
evidence that there will not be any serious environmental risks to
the surfbreaks, particularly water quality issues, as a result of
their development proposal requiring this plan change. Some
evidence presented supporting the plan change argued that Te Arai
was not a wilderness or remote experience. Te Arai is in fact
arguably the last long stretch of beach in the Auckland region to
be unspoilt by sub division.
Mark Perry, long time local, local Radio Station owner and of
Radio Hauraki fame, presented evidence including the fact that the
Managawhai Golf Club desperately needs new members. How is another
golf course at Te Arai going to survive in a proposed sub division
of only 180 dwellings where it is expected that holiday homes will
account for nearly 70% of the dwellings?
The hearings continue and we'll keep you updated as further news
comes to hand.