Washing line wars part II: Local board bans reinstatement of line in million-dollar beachfront neighbours' spat, but saga not over

The site of the former rotary washing line, on publicly-owned land between two Shelly Park homes. Photo / Dean Purcell

Anita Reynolds won't be getting her washing line back, but that may not be the end of the story after battle lines were drawn between two neighbours in a million-dollar Auckland waterfront enclave.

Reynolds and neighbour Karen Newton have lived in neighbouring homes adjacent to the peaceful Pohutukawa Ave Esplanade Reserve, in the East Auckland suburb of Shelly Park, for 20 years.

But a humble rotary washing line, which until December stood on publicly-owned land between their properties, has sparked a deep rift between the neighbours.

Land in front of the homes, and their neighbours', is council reserve and a track has been opened up to the public. But many residents have made use of the reserve, for plants, trampolines and - in Reynolds' case - a washing line.

Newton complained to Auckland Council that the line, installed before Reynolds and her husband Clive moved in, stood between her property and the shared cable car the homes installed about four years ago to reach to the cliff-top access road above.

The cable car can still be accessed by walking a few metres closer to the waterfront.

Council staff took the washing line away, but the Reynolds asked Howick Local Board for permission to put it back.

The washing line in use, before it was taken down. Photo / Supplied

That request was turned down at the local board meeting last night.

Board chairman David Collings said they had sympathy for the Reynolds, who told them there was no space on their property and Anita Reynolds' ill-health made hanging washing elsewhere difficult.

But their responsibility was to the public, Collings said.

"It's still public land. We've got to ensure that reserve is open to the public. If something's brought to our attention, we can't turn a blind eye."

The spat had "opened a can of worms", with complaints being made about other residents encroaching on to the reserve, Collings said.

He understood the council was investigating other complaints. The council was not able to immediately confirm this afternoon if investigations are underway.

Clive Reynolds told the Herald this afternoon he had complained in November to the council about Newton planting two olive trees and laying a concrete block for her outdoor furniture on the reserve.

No action had been taken, but he believed the council was waiting for the outcome of the washing line decision.

He complained because he hoped it might stop Newton pursuing her complaint about the washing line. It did not.

"In my heart, I don't want the council to come and cut down her trees and knock out her concrete pad."

The neighbours live in the peaceful beachfront enclave of Shelly Park, where homes front on to publicly-owned reserve and a coastal pathway. Photo / Dean Purcell

Other neighbours had trampolines and even a shed on reserve land in front of their properties, and they could also be caught up in the aftermath of the washing line decision, Reynolds said.

"I don't want them gone ... I just want us to be able to use the wind to dry our things, the way we've done it for 20 years."

He wasn't sure of the next step - or if there is even any way to appeal the board's decision.

"It's all so unfair. We're quite stunned that all this can come from one person complaining."

Newton said today she was "very pleased" with the board's decision.

She had complained because the washing line was "dangerous" and she had asked the couple to move it, but they had refused.

She wasn't aware of any investigation into other property on reserve land, but had previously said she would remove her additions, such as the olive trees, if asked.