Public submissions favour Yachting New Zealand's revised Takapuna plan

Auckland Council recieved 519 submissions of support for YNZ's plans; 498 against. File photo / Janna Dixon

Revised plans for a high-performance centre for Yachting New Zealand on Takapuna Beach reserve are supported by the majority of public submissions on the resource consent bid.

Submissions on the North Shore $8.3 million world-class facility closed 5pm Monday.
Announcing the result today, Auckland Council said 519 submissions were in favour and 498 against, with five neutral.

The project has drawn more than usual public interest because it means removal of the 80-year-old Takapuna Beach Holiday Camp from the reserve.

The project is promoted by Harbour Access Trust, whose chairman Peter Wall said he expected the result because it had scaled back the design after listening to public criticism.

"We are pleased there is public support and no overwhelming objection - but we are not bragging.

"It's the quality of the submissions that have Resource Management Act implications that will be the telling thing."

A hearing of the bid by independent commissioners could be held in June or July.

A Save the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park Facebook page has 11,352 "likes."

If the centre gets resource consent, it then must get Devonport-Takapuna Local Board "land owner" consent for use of the reserve, said page co-organiser Gavin Sheehan.

He said the "battle" was with the board, which had responsibility to give or decline land owner's consent for the use of the reserve.

The public wanted the board to give a long-term lease to the holiday park so that it can be upgraded and continue to operate.