Island park vision remains distant

By Dean Austen

AUCKLAND - Plans for a motel on Puketutu Island beside the Mangere sewage ponds are being fought by a group which wants the island to become a regional park.

Friends of Puketutu are alarmed by the proposed 24-unit motel on the Manukau Harbour island, which is flanked on its southern and eastern sides by the sewage ponds.

The ponds will disappear in 2003 when the sewage plant upgrade is complete and the Friends want the Auckland Regional Council to protect it before it is too late.

However, the regional council is maintaining its policy of pursuing only land that is for sale. The trust controlling the island says it has considered no proposal to sell as none has been made.

Friends of Puketutu chairman, Tony Brunt, said there were historical and environmental reasons why the island, which is reached by a causeway, should be made a regional park.

There were remnants of early Pakeha and Maori occupation and Puketutu provided an important habitat for wading birds. It would become "the centrepiece of the Manukau" with the decommissioning of the ponds.

The 192ha island was first sold in 1842, and bought in 1938 by brewing magnate Sir Henry Kelliher. Controlled now by the Sir Kelliher Charitable Trust, it is home to a quarry, timber mill and restaurant.

Resource consent is being sought to put up 24 "traveller's accommodation units," extend the restaurant and build a covered swimming pool and gymnasium.

"We respect the trust's rights as a private owner," said Mr Brunt.

"But we feel after 157 years of being a private island it would be wonderful if it could be preserved for all Aucklanders."

Ross North, a representative on the trust's advisory board, said the sale of all or part of the island to the regional council had not been considered because no formal approach had been made.

"Until such a time as we have something firm in writing, it's very difficult for us to deal with it."

The regional council's chairman of parks, Bill Burrill, said it was no secret that the council had long eyed Puketutu as a possible future park.

However, past policy had been to purchase only land on offer and although not blind to opportunity, the council would continue to be a responsible manager of the public's assets.