Watercare’s plan to use the draconian Public Works Act to forcibly take over Herne Bay’s only park for at least two years and use it as a works depot for the Central Interceptor (sewerage) project, is opposed by the majority of Herne Bay residents and has been labelled as “outrageous.”
Salisbury Park is the only public park in Herne Bay. As such, it is a facility that is very precious to residents and the Herne Bay community at large.
At the Herne Bay Residents Association Annual General Meeting last week, members voted 133/1 against permitting more than two thirds (4788 sq m) of Salisbury Park (shown in attached photo) to be leased to Watercare for two years. This was also supported by City Councillor, Mike Lee.
Herne Bay Residents Association executive committee supports its members in their contention that the park should not be used for the purpose of storing materials and as a Watercare staff facility as currently proposed.
We believe that it is a waste of public assets to use it for parking for Watercare staff and visitors, a lunch room, a ‘smoko' room (as Watercare labels it), and the storage of dangerous goods that would be so close to residences. The office facilities, at the very least, could be located in any vacant rental property and not in a public park. We also believe that if the Public Works Act is used to force Watercare’s use, it will be a dangerous precedent as the Act is primarily intended for the purchase of critically important private land.
Unfortunately for many locals, Watercare sought submissions several months ago on a Resource Consent application relative to the multi-million central interceptor project that will cause major disruption to Herne Bay, but is critical to the area’s sewerage outcomes.
The Salisbury Reserve use was part of that Resource Consent application but wasn’t adequately notified so that locals or people directly affected could understand its significance. It was several months after submissions closed on that Resource Consent, that Watercare and the city began separately advertising the proposal to use the Salisbury Reserve and another park in St Marys Bay, Point Erin Park. Pt Erin Park has been used for many years as a storage area for construction materials. Notification requirements may well have been breached.
The city had asked residents who opposed or supported the park’s use by Watercare to make submissions by November 27. This is because the park is owned by the city, not Watercare.
Following the receipt of submissions, the Waitematā Local Board, vested in control of the reserve by the city, would decide whether to hold a hearing to review the application. We think it is critical that a hearing be held. However, the number of submissions means a hearing would not likely take place until next year.
Who will hear the application is still to be decided by the local board, who may well themselves become the hearing's panel.
Locals and those who frequent the park say the Reserve is used by hundreds of people every day for children to play, dog walkers, informal gatherings, cricket games, birthday parties and a range of leisure activities.
However, no matter whether the panel rejects Watercare’s claim, the utility can still use the Public Works Act to force its decision. But we understand the city has told Watercare it's not happy with the park’s use as a storage facility.
The reasons local residents don’t want the park used is that it's easily accessible by the disabled and a safe well-lit option for women and children, as surrounding homes provide a secure environment.
The park grounds have recently been restored and are a haven for native plants, with trees and birds providing a quiet space for people’s mental wellbeing and community connection.
Local residents also don’t believe the proposed two-year lease of the park is credible. They say Watercare’s own estimate for the overall project is four years and, following that, it would take another two years to restore the park to its current condition.
Everyone is keen to have a functioning sewer system and cleaner harbour, says Jane Dent a Herne Bay local who, along with other Herne Bay residents, is campaigning to reject what she calls Watercare’s “takeover.”
But destroying Salisbury Park after millions have recently been spent upgrading it would be outrageous, she says.
Other residents are in the process of hiring lawyers and planners to fight the project.
Central to the opposition is the strong contention that Watercare has not sufficiently researched alternatives and they ask the city to undertake an urgent review of all potential alternatives to the park’s use.
Such a report should form part of the documents supplied to any public hearing, they say.
The HBRA believes before any decisions are made, the users of Salisbury Park should be fully consulted. This means more than just asking for written public submissions.
If the park is taken over by Watercare, the entity has promised reinstatement. Reinstatement to its original condition would be critical. This includes the reinstatement of mature trees at the Argyle Street entrance that would have been felled on Watercare’s occupation. www.hernebay1011.nz
To keep up to date with progress on the Reserve saga, visit the website www.savesalisbury.org
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Published: November 2023