Two visions for Long Bay

By WAYNE THOMPSON

One of Auckland's best-known beaches is facing the prospect of buildings across the hills around it.

Apartment blocks - up to five storeys high - are among 1700 dwellings planned for the backdrop to Long Bay Regional Park and marine reserve on the North Shore.

The city council has put out a revised structure plan saying how it thinks the land should be developed.

It balanced the landowners' right to develop with the need for controls to protect the natural environment, said city strategic development manager Lesley Jenkins.

"Long Bay will be different from development elsewhere on the North Shore."

The aim is to give a mix of houses and a variety of reserves.

Development is directed to pockets where it is considered to have the least impact on the landscape of the Long Bay and Okura areas.

Unstable slopes, which are the rural backdrop to the park, are restricted to 2ha sections with two-storey height limits for homes.

But limiting development to protect the sensitive parts means a trade-off: a medium-density zone for three-storey apartments and town houses in the lower area bordering the park.

Room is provided for a village centre and village green overlooked by apartment buildings up to 18m high tucked in against the hillside.

The 110ha Long Bay seaside park, 26km from central Auckland, is the busiest regional park, with a firm, long, sandy beach that is popular for swimming and an extensive grassed area that is used especially by families and groups for picnics.

Lesley Jenkins said Long Bay's development would be staged.

The first stage of building could start in 2006, on the larger lots in the upper part of the catchment. The second stage in 2010 would be suburban development for about 800 units, and the village development would come later.

In a response to environmental concerns, each site and street must control and treat its stormwater, to stop sediment and heavy metals polluting the bay.

The public have until July 16 to comment on the structure plan, which could become part of the council's district plan.

The structure plan is being opposed by the Long Bay-Okura Great Park Society because it covers part of the "1000 acres" (400ha) that the society says should be public open space.

Society convener David Gatward said the structure plan would make Aucklanders' favourite regional park just another beach reserve.

"People flock to this park from all over Auckland and beyond because it has a peaceful rural setting.

"If the structure plan proceeds there are likely to be 1700 dwellings in the Long Bay catchment alone, some up to five storeys high, light industry and 30,000 additional traffic movements a day.

"It will be a different place."

The society's campaign for a big urban park began eight years ago when the city limits were extended to include the Long Bay land.

Two years ago the society presented a petition with 57,642 signatures to the regional and city councils and received their support.

However, the city council plan to cram 1700 homes into Long Bay and allow building on its hills would end a wonderful opportunity to retain a beautiful area for future generations to enjoy.

Mr Gatward said the society had submission forms available at www.info.org.nz/longbay.

North Shore Mayor George Wood said the council in 2002 paid $22.5 million for 38.5ha next to the northern end of Long Bay Regional Park.

It was bought from developer Landco, who had advertised it for sale to "well-heeled beach bums".

Landco also sold the regional council 6.5ha near the middle of the park for $7.9 million.

Mr Wood said the rest of Landco's holding was now too expensive for his council to buy from borrowed money.

Ratepayers were surveyed last month about support for setting up a fund of $25 million to buy and maintain coastal parkland.

The suggestion was to raise $2.6 million a year for the fund through a 2.2 per cent rates increase.

In reply, 1100 submissions said yes to a coastal land fund and 1850 said no.

WHAT'S PLANNED

1700 dwellings up to five storeys high on the backdrop to Long Bay reserve.

* Stage One:

Building begins on larger lots 2006.

* Stage Two:

Suburban development of 800 units 2010.

* Later:

Village development.