Atlas Site Saved from Sale

The Rodney Local Board is pleased to announce that it has received a report from Auckland Council confirming that the Atlas site, in Warkworth, will not be sold.

Purchased for park purposes in 2004, the Atlas site had been listed recently ‘for sale’ to reduce the previous Rodney District Council’s debt levels.

The Rodney Local Board is now requesting that the land become a recreation reserve and that any future use should be consistent with the Reserve Management Plan for the Warkworth Showgrounds.

The Board is recommending to Auckland Council’s Regional Development and Operations Committee, the following:

• That the Atlas site be developed into a recreation reserve to cater for the open space needs of the local community

• That the future use and function of the Atlas site be consistent with the intentions set out in the Warkworth Showgrounds Reserve Management Plan

• That once the current lease on the land expires, the Atlas site be vested and classified as a Recreation Reserve in accordance with the Reserves Act

Board member, June Turner, has been a passionate advocate for retaining this cherished property in public hands.

At a recent Board meeting, her colleagues thanked her for her considerable efforts to secure this site as a part of the reserve network.

Mrs Turner says the news is extremely positive for the Warkworth and Mahurangi communities who feel strongly this unique property must be kept in public hands.

“Residents have consistently indicated to me their desire for this unique property to serve as the green gateway into Warkworth and be developed in accordance with the community’s desire for some recreational, arts and events facilities.

“Sports groups are also keen to see the planned multi-purpose facility at the Showground's get under way, and so this news certainly bolsters those plans,” says Mrs Turner.

In the interim, part of the site will continue to be leased to Works Infrastructure as a depot until funding for future development is agreed to and allocated by the governing body.

A report on the future of this site is being worked on now with a meeting of the Council’s Regional Development and Operations Committee expected to take place in early June.

ENDS

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