By ANNE BESTON
A "simple" idea to stop a slice of paradise being sold to fund a business school appears to have been brushed aside by the Government.
Thames Coromandel District Mayor Chris Lux wrote to Prime Minister Helen Clark some weeks ago suggesting how Auckland University could be compensated for gifting
the coastal property to the public.
He wants the Government to boost the university's funding by the value of the Waikawau Bay property over a number of years and said it was "a simple budgetary adjustment".
But Mr Lux's letter has been routinely forwarded to the Department of Conservation, which can decide only whether to purchase the $3.5 million property. It is almost certain the department will not.
The Waikawau Bay waterside property was gifted to Auckland University earlier this year by American banker Paul Kelly to help fund an expanded business school. It is for sale by tender and has been widely advertised.
But Mr Lux said in comparison to the $169 million funding the university received from the Government each year, the price of the land was "insignificant".
"But the outcome in securing the property for the nation is significant," he said. "A bit of fine-tuning of the budget over three to five years and it's no big deal."
Mr Lux said he wanted "vision and leadership" from the Government to get a "unique piece of Coromandel real estate" into public ownership.
Mr Lux said he was sure the university would like to do the right thing but he could understand it also wanted the money.
"Of course if you're sitting on $3.5 million and possibly more, then it's very tempting," he said. "I think the university is probably in the position where they just want to get their money without any complications."
Waikawau Bay is a remote crescent of white sand and crystal-clear water on the eastern side of Coromandel Peninsula. The beachfront is owned by DoC, but the university property runs down to the water.
University of Auckland registrar Warwick Nicoll did not return calls.
Herald feature: Environment
