Mount Denby golf course up to par as urban park

Mount Denby golf course is one of five locations being considered by the Whangarei District Council as a place to develop a large urban park.

The Whangarei District Council's draft long-term plan proposes developing an Urban Park and has set aside $5.9 million to be used for the development over the next 10 years. It is envisaged the urban park would have sporting fields and passive recreation spaces for activities, such as social events, picnics and children's playgrounds.

The plan states: "As our population grows and ages, the pressure on our sporting facilities and parkland increases, and we need to ensure we have enough formal and informal spaces to meet the need s of our community."

Members of Denby Golf Club met last month to consider the offer but did not make a final decision.

The council's group manager Infrastructure and Services Simon Weston confirmed five locations for the proposed park had been explored.

He said that until a final decision was made about whether or not to proceed with the park, no conclusions could be drawn about any potential location. Information on the other potential sites was not available.

Denby Golf Club board chairwoman Lorraine Paul said matters were before the members to decide upon, and until a decision had been made it was inappropriate to comment.

"There may well be a story in the not-too-distant future," Ms Paul said. She would not confirm whether there was a meeting this week to make a final decision.

Submissions on the plan close on April 23. After that council will hear submissions and deliberate on the plan before it is approved in late June.

In 2005, the Denby club sold off a section of its 37ha site. The 8527sq m section was one that had been used for practice training over a few years and was situated close to the Tikipunga Tavern, supermarket and medical centre, making it an ideal site for developers.

The club's website states: "Mt Denby, Whangarei Golf Club is the region's oldest club. Situated in Tikipunga on the road to the Whangarei Falls and the beautiful Tutukaka Coast. The course features some wonderful bush covered walkways and is a true test to any golfer."