The Vision behind Gulf Harbour
From day one in 1985 the objective for Gulf Harbour (an area of 350 hectares) was to embrace good urban design through comprehensive planning to be achieved primarily through District Plan provisions. Design guidelines were approved by Rodney District Council in 2004. To view complete Gulf Harbour Non-Regulatory Design Guidelines (Adopted 30 September 2004) click here.
In simple terms, cornerstone Principles include:
In simple terms, cornerstone Principles include:
- Gulf Harbour is an identifiable and distinguishable geographical entity (peninsula) and should be treated as one landscape unit.
- Developments should reinforce and respond to the topography with earthworks minimized.
- Design of any development should take into consideration the use and enjoyment of the golf course, as well as views from public places to the coast, sea and golf course as a holistic open space network
- The Golf Course and marine environment should remain as the dominant landscape feature providing significant visual open space as well as recreation resources.
- Contribution of Golf Course to quality of environment maintained and enhanced and amenity and safety of Golf Course itself is maintained and enhanced.
The Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC)
Gulf Harbour Country Club opened in 1997 and boasted the only Robert Trent Jones Jr design in New Zealand. At one time it was rated the 15th best course in the country by Top100golfcourses.com.
GHCC has hosted the World Cup of Golf (in 1998), which was won by the English pairing of Nick Faldo and David Carter, and also hosted the New Zealand Open two years in a row (in 2005 and 2006).
As recently as March 2023 it staged the New Zealand PGA Championship.
GHCC has hosted the World Cup of Golf (in 1998), which was won by the English pairing of Nick Faldo and David Carter, and also hosted the New Zealand Open two years in a row (in 2005 and 2006).
As recently as March 2023 it staged the New Zealand PGA Championship.
Why the original vision is important, and the intended role GHCC plays in it
Stormwater Management
During the severe weather events of early 2023 (i.e., Cyclone Gabrielle), it became obvious that the Gulf Harbour stormwater canal represented a risk to the residents on Laurie Southwick Parade. The water spilling over the top of the footbridge to the Oval was the first indication that Bella Vista could be compromised.
Accordingly, the Bella Vista resident association along with other local resident associations engaged Auckland Council who advised that Laurie Southwick Parade was designated a flood plain on the Auckland Council GIS map of Gulf Harbour!
This flooding was caused by multiple blockages all the way down the canal from land slips and fallen trees, but more importantly due to a lack of maintenance of the canal system, which was the responsibility of Gulf Harbour Country Club (under the terms of their resource consent). To mitigate the risk of future flooding event the residents associations pressured on Auckland Council to implement corrective measures, such as modifying the sea defence gates near the canal outflow and cleaning up of fallen trees and accumulated debris in to along the canal.
Gulf Harbour has been meticulous planned and designed to fully integrated environment. Residents savour the art of living in surroundings that remain in touch with nature. This must be protected and maintained.
During the severe weather events of early 2023 (i.e., Cyclone Gabrielle), it became obvious that the Gulf Harbour stormwater canal represented a risk to the residents on Laurie Southwick Parade. The water spilling over the top of the footbridge to the Oval was the first indication that Bella Vista could be compromised.
Accordingly, the Bella Vista resident association along with other local resident associations engaged Auckland Council who advised that Laurie Southwick Parade was designated a flood plain on the Auckland Council GIS map of Gulf Harbour!
This flooding was caused by multiple blockages all the way down the canal from land slips and fallen trees, but more importantly due to a lack of maintenance of the canal system, which was the responsibility of Gulf Harbour Country Club (under the terms of their resource consent). To mitigate the risk of future flooding event the residents associations pressured on Auckland Council to implement corrective measures, such as modifying the sea defence gates near the canal outflow and cleaning up of fallen trees and accumulated debris in to along the canal.
Gulf Harbour has been meticulous planned and designed to fully integrated environment. Residents savour the art of living in surroundings that remain in touch with nature. This must be protected and maintained.