News release

26 November 2010

A great future for Baring Head

Animated discussion and an excellent turnout at a public workshop on Baring Head points toward a great future for the iconic site, says Greater Wellington Regional Councillor Prue Lamason.

Fifty-seven people attended the workshop on Monday 22 November at the Petone Workingmen’s Club to discuss future recreation and tourism opportunities at Baring Head. This property on Wainuiomata’s coast was recently purchased by a Greater Wellington-led consortium to put the land into public ownership as part of East Harbour Regional Park.

“I was pleased to see a broad range of interests represented at the workshop. From the newly established Friends of Baring Head and members of local iwi through to neighbouring landowners – everybody had valuable contributions to make and showed an impressive depth of knowledge about Baring Head,” says Cr Lamason, who chaired the workshop. Cr Sandra Greig also attended and talked to participants.

Cr Lamason says there’s a great deal of enthusiasm and passion for Baring Head, and the purchase of the land is clearly very popular with the community. “Greater Wellington will continue to consult with the public on Baring Head and I urge the public to take up every opportunity to have their say – it’s vital that we know the community’s ideas and aspirations for this iconic site.”

Ideas from the workshop are currently being collated and will become part of a report, overseen by a reference group consisting of key stakeholders from other agencies and the community. The report is likely to be available in February 2011 and will feed into the formal management plan process for Baring Head, which will take place later in 2011.

Greater Wellington is also carrying out work regarding the best ways to protect the ecology and cultural heritage of Baring Head

The Baring Head block will be officially opened to the public on Sunday 13 February 2011.

ENDS

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