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Public Meeting Whangaparaoa College Auditorium 7 Pm Thursday 15 August.
"Line in the Sand" Council Letter to Owner (Developer) July 24
| council_letter_to_owner_july_24.pdf |
Clubhouse Destroyed in Two Large Fires May 2024
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| legal_issues_re_ghcc_31_may_2024.pdf |
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Front Eight Holes Application to be Notified.
16 March 2023 Auckland Council have decided the Application to subdivide the front eight holes for future sale is to be Publicly Notified. This is Great news, More information will follow, Please join our Facebook Group and sign up for newsletters on the Home page of this site.
Our goal is to set a new record for number of submissions on a Resource Management Application. .......
Our goal is to set a new record for number of submissions on a Resource Management Application. .......
Planning, Environment and Parks Committee 15 Feb 24, Drag along to start at 9.20 mins
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Meeting News
Approximately 325 residents attended the Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces Incorporated (KWGS) Public Meeting at 7pm on Thursday 7 th December 2023 and sent a clear message to the Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) owner about their concerns for the future of the GHCC and the retention of the existing green space.
Thank you to Wentworth College and Principal Bruce Tong for making the Sports Centre available for us.
KWGS members Nigel Varey, Owen Paterson and Chris Gedye made presentations to the audience along with Auckland City Councillor John Watson. Councillor Wayne Walker made comments following Cr Watson’s presentation. Hibiscus Coast and Bays Local Board members Leanne Willis and Sam Mills were also in attendance. Local MP Mark Mitchell was unable to be present.
At the end of the presentations questions from the floor mainly sought clarifications from the presented
material plus the following;
1. Vermin and pests on the golf course grounds (Forest and Bird are activity trapping and you can set you
own traps),
2. Fund-raising for expected legal expenses (more activities in the New Year),
3. More extensive communications to local residents and the form these communication could take (signs for
fences have been ordered)
4. How the GHCC owner’s contacts in the non-bank finance industry could be targeted (we will add to our
database of contacts in this area).
5. Cutting berms and invasive green growth from the course (if you go onto the course to clear this material
away it is unlikely you would be accused of trespass)
Photos and presentations below.
Thank you to Wentworth College and Principal Bruce Tong for making the Sports Centre available for us.
KWGS members Nigel Varey, Owen Paterson and Chris Gedye made presentations to the audience along with Auckland City Councillor John Watson. Councillor Wayne Walker made comments following Cr Watson’s presentation. Hibiscus Coast and Bays Local Board members Leanne Willis and Sam Mills were also in attendance. Local MP Mark Mitchell was unable to be present.
At the end of the presentations questions from the floor mainly sought clarifications from the presented
material plus the following;
1. Vermin and pests on the golf course grounds (Forest and Bird are activity trapping and you can set you
own traps),
2. Fund-raising for expected legal expenses (more activities in the New Year),
3. More extensive communications to local residents and the form these communication could take (signs for
fences have been ordered)
4. How the GHCC owner’s contacts in the non-bank finance industry could be targeted (we will add to our
database of contacts in this area).
5. Cutting berms and invasive green growth from the course (if you go onto the course to clear this material
away it is unlikely you would be accused of trespass)
Photos and presentations below.
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16 August Meeting
Standing room only as Whangaparaoa residents meet to fight golf course closure- Aug 16
More than 300 people filled the room August 16 at a meeting organised by the Keep Whangaparaoa’s Green Spaces Incorporated Society (KWGS). The meeting was called to raise public awareness of the threat to Gulf Harbour following the closure of the Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) two weeks ago. A petition that has raised 4200 signatures is calling on the Auckland Council to uphold an Encumbrance on the GHCC land that requires it to remain zoned Open Space – Active Sport and Recreation and limits the land use to golf course and country club activities.
Spokesperson for KWGS, Owen Paterson explained the history of the Gulf Harbour development as a unique and successful concept for an integrated master planned community centred around a world-class marina and a world-class golf course. He pointed out the importance of the encumbrance on the golf course land saying that the golf course formed a critical part of the reserve contribution for the whole of Gulf Harbour especially given the high-density residential development that took place.
Members of the public raised concerns that because the golf course was closed it would deteriorate if not maintained. Paterson acknowledged this was a risk but said there were parties interested in buying the golf course and secure its future as a world-class golfing asset. Others raised concerns that members of the golf club were out of pocket with no sign of the owner repaying fees. A lawyer in the audience suggested it was likely the owner was in breach of contract and recommended members pursued legal action through the small claims court.
More than 300 people filled the room August 16 at a meeting organised by the Keep Whangaparaoa’s Green Spaces Incorporated Society (KWGS). The meeting was called to raise public awareness of the threat to Gulf Harbour following the closure of the Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) two weeks ago. A petition that has raised 4200 signatures is calling on the Auckland Council to uphold an Encumbrance on the GHCC land that requires it to remain zoned Open Space – Active Sport and Recreation and limits the land use to golf course and country club activities.
Spokesperson for KWGS, Owen Paterson explained the history of the Gulf Harbour development as a unique and successful concept for an integrated master planned community centred around a world-class marina and a world-class golf course. He pointed out the importance of the encumbrance on the golf course land saying that the golf course formed a critical part of the reserve contribution for the whole of Gulf Harbour especially given the high-density residential development that took place.
Members of the public raised concerns that because the golf course was closed it would deteriorate if not maintained. Paterson acknowledged this was a risk but said there were parties interested in buying the golf course and secure its future as a world-class golfing asset. Others raised concerns that members of the golf club were out of pocket with no sign of the owner repaying fees. A lawyer in the audience suggested it was likely the owner was in breach of contract and recommended members pursued legal action through the small claims court.
Closed Golf Course Brings Concerns for Housing Intensification in Gulf Harbour
An Auckland councillor says the demise of a premier coastal golf course is a worry not just for neighbours, but for the whole Hauraki gulf region.
The owners of the Gulf Harbour Country Club on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula had informed members that the 18-hole golf course was closed.
Neighbours were fearing that developers could be eyeing it up for more properties. Councillor John Watson said the area already had a history of housing intensification,
"The whole of the Gulf Harbour development had quite significant intensification back to the mid 2000s," he said.
"That intensification was allowed on the basis that there was this golf course there to really offset the requirement for open space and to balance the much higher level of intensification."
He said he would work to ensure the covenants that protect the golf course were not over-ridden. Watson said it was important to keep coastal areas of the Hauraki Gulf as green spaces.
He added that the Council at the time stated that no development would proceed until the golf course land was protected by a covenant. Paterson went on to say that the message KWGS was giving to Auckland Council is that nothing has changed since the encumbrance was put in place and that they must represent the people as Encumbrancee and not allow any change of land use. He said there was currently vacant land zoned Residential within Gulf Harbour which, when developed, could add in excess of 1000 additional dwellings under the Central Govt rules around housing intensification. This legitimate capacity would represent a 30% increase in the number of dwellings in Gulf Harbour today and place even greater importance on the golf course as reserve contribution.
Auckland Councillor John Watson talked about the need for a well organised and united approach to defend the golf course and to ensure Council upheld the encumbrance. He gave examples of how well organised campaigns had succeeded, in particular the Matarangi ruling which has parallels with the Gulf Harbour situation. He supported the plans KWGS has to grow its organisation. He explained the plan change application process and advised that the encumbrance would be considered at numerous stages throughout the process. He cautioned that it would be most unusual for a plan change application to be turned down at the first hurdle.
Ian Boocock, a Past President of the Golf Club and the person instrumental in having the Encumbrance agreed and registered on the title in 2006 explained the encumbrance was put in place to ensure the golf course would remain and contribute to the reserve contribution of the Gulf Harbour development. He said the encumbrance contained a very important clause which states the Council as encumbrancee is entitled to none of the powers and remedies given to encumbrancees by the Land Transfer Act 1952 and the Property Law Act 1952. He said this clause was agreed to at the time to ensure any future Council could not set aside the encumbrance.
Ian Boocock, a Past President of the Golf Club and the person instrumental in having the Encumbrance agreed and registered on the title in 2006 explained the encumbrance was put in place to ensure the golf course would remain and contribute to the reserve contribution of the Gulf Harbour development. He said the encumbrance contained a very important clause which states the Council as encumbrancee is entitled to none of the powers and remedies given to encumbrancees by the Land Transfer Act 1952 and the Property Law Act 1952. He said this clause was agreed to at the time to ensure any future Council could not set aside the encumbrance.
| ghcc_signed_dated_encumbrance.pdf |
KWGS Message to Council
KGWS has written directly to Auckland Council reminding them of the commitment that they made to us last year that they would keep us informed of any approach by the owner to remove the Encumbrance. Club members, visitors and KWGS members have witnessed the Country Club’s steady decline through management practices which have left the club with fewer members, downgraded club facilities, and minimal course maintenance.
Despite their claims they have been forced to close after “looking at many ways to make the club even modestly viable”, we are confident there are buyers willing to purchase the club and run it successfully, within the rules set out by the Encumbrance.
We reminded Council that the Encumbrance was put in place in 2006 long before the current owner purchased the GHCC and was negotiated with the then owner and Council at the time to allow significant high-density housing in Gulf Harbour to proceed. We recognise that as well as the Encumbrance between Auckland Council and the owner, there are hundreds of individual covenants on properties adjoining and near to the GHCC which were put in place for the sole benefit of the GHCC.
These covenants were designed to enhance visual integration and harmony between the golf course and the neighbouring properties and imposed extensive rules covering design, building materials, planting and fencing on individuals building on those covenanted lots.
Our organisation has advised Council of our unequivocal opposition to any attempt to convert this Open Space to housing and have started an information campaign to raise awareness of the issues involved. Our on-line petition has garnered over 4600 signatures which strongly suggests the community is also unquestionably opposed to the demise of this important open space.
We have requested Auckland Council to take a hard line against any approach by the owner to set aside or vary the Encumbrance.
Despite their claims they have been forced to close after “looking at many ways to make the club even modestly viable”, we are confident there are buyers willing to purchase the club and run it successfully, within the rules set out by the Encumbrance.
We reminded Council that the Encumbrance was put in place in 2006 long before the current owner purchased the GHCC and was negotiated with the then owner and Council at the time to allow significant high-density housing in Gulf Harbour to proceed. We recognise that as well as the Encumbrance between Auckland Council and the owner, there are hundreds of individual covenants on properties adjoining and near to the GHCC which were put in place for the sole benefit of the GHCC.
These covenants were designed to enhance visual integration and harmony between the golf course and the neighbouring properties and imposed extensive rules covering design, building materials, planting and fencing on individuals building on those covenanted lots.
Our organisation has advised Council of our unequivocal opposition to any attempt to convert this Open Space to housing and have started an information campaign to raise awareness of the issues involved. Our on-line petition has garnered over 4600 signatures which strongly suggests the community is also unquestionably opposed to the demise of this important open space.
We have requested Auckland Council to take a hard line against any approach by the owner to set aside or vary the Encumbrance.
Downloads;
| aee_23113_180_gulf_harbour_dr_ba_15112023.pdf |
| 2._scheme_plans-1.pdf |
| ghcc_signed_dated_encumbrance.pdf |
| kwgs_open_letter.pdf |
| press_release_from_kwgs_23_nov_2023.pdf |
| press_release_from_kwgs_04_dec_2023.pdf |
Gulf Harbour Stormwater
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During the recent weather events on January 27, February 12 to 14 (Cyclone Gabrielle) and May 9th, 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. This flooding was caused by multiple blockages all the way down the canal from land slips and fallen trees. It got worse that day as the road bridge ended up under water. Flooding has occurred throughout parts of Auckland and Council has been heavily involved with thousands of events that includes destroyed homes, bridges and roads and devastated people. Meeting with Council The group of local resident associations got together with the Stormwater Operations Engineer from Auckland Council who advised at the time that the whole of Laurie Southwick Parade was designated a flood plain on the Auckland Council GIS map of Gulf Harbour! They discussed ways in which the flood risks were a real and present danger to all those properties on Laurie Southwick Parade. They walked the length of the canal together and sighted the slips, fallen trees and the major obstruction at the seawall that prevents the tide from inundating the freshwater canal with seawater. 
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Debris ended up being suspended from the service pipework that delivers water, electricity, broadband and telephone services to the Bella Vista village. Their Residents Association set up a group of other residents associations to put pressure on Auckland Council to deal with the cause of the flooding. - the lack of maintenance of the canal system, which was the responsibility of Gulf Harbour Country Club under the terms of their resource consent.
Mitigating the Risk
The group had suggested that the sea defence gates near the canal outflow be modified to remove the grills from either side, remove the fences from the top and replace these with a winged gate to prevent public access and negate any health and safety concerns. Removal of the grills and fences prevents debris build up and allows the canal to drain as originally intended thereby significantly reducing the risk of flood further upstream toward the Regency lake. Coen agreed to facilitate this action within the next few days. They also requested that the fallen and falling trees and accumulated debris be removed or cut back from the canal. |