May 16, 2002

The Auckland Regional Council has clinched a deal with Landco Limited®, which ensures several strategic parcels of land at Long Bay, will be added to the popular regional park.

The ARC’s purchase of 5.8 hectares of land follows on from the 38.5 hectares beside the park, which North Shore City Council secured in December 2001.

ARC Parks and Heritage Committee Chairman Bill Burrill says the contract, signed this week, is great news for the region and secures the land for the public.

“The extra land will be a welcome addition of recreational space in the high use central area of the park, helping to ease pressure on other parts of the park, especially the popular beach,” Cr Burrill says.

“It, combined with the land secured by NSCC, will help provide for the long term recreational needs of the region.

“The new area has established pohutukawa trees which will provide shade for picnics, one of the favourite activities of park visitors. It will also provide a new central entry point to the park from Vaughan Rd or Ashley Ave and enable carparking to be moved back from the beachfront.”

While the contract means the land will be transferred into public ownership, both parties have agreed to resolve valuation issues through arbitration. Due to a confidentiality agreement, details of the contract cannot be revealed until after arbitration.

Cr Burrill says the Council is looking to complete the arbitration process so that the public can reap the benefits of the land purchase as soon as possible.

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