November 15, 2002

Council to consult widely on sand for Beach Haven

North Shore City Council is to continue with its efforts to replenish Beach Haven beach with sand at the best possible price, after taking into account the views of the wider community.

Birkenhead/Northcote customer services manager, Paul O'Brien, says the council will seek the opinions of local Maori including Ngati Whatua, and is also inviting the general public to speak up on the issue.

To make the beach more attractive for users, North Shore City's Birkenhead/Northcote Community Board has been keen to bring sand of a similar colour and texture to supplement the small amount of sand already on the beach.

Mr O'Brien says the council will provide details of the project to members of the iwi, including those recommended by iwi consultant Jane West, inviting them to comment. Copies of the proposal will be made available to the public on request, by calling North Shore City Actionline on 486 8600.

"We're asking people to provide feedback within two weeks, and this will be considered by the community board, which will then decide whether to proceed with the project and the application to the (Auckland) regional council for the required resource consents."

"If after hearing the community's views and getting the ARC's go ahead, we would proceed on the basis of on sourcing the sand from a quarry on the Coromandel, as this appears to be the best match from the point of view of colour and texture," he says.

A hydrology report - part of the original plan - may be commissioned by the board, and the total cost of the project is expected to stay within the $15,000 maximum originally budgeted, Mr O'Brien says.

ENDS

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