20 August 2012

Camp’s future secured on the High Wire

Auckland Council has ensured the future of the Awhitu Environmental Camp by transferring the management of the 34 year-old facility from a local school to the High Wire Charitable Trust, the organisation which recently recruited Victoria Cross medallist, Willie Apiata.

At its meeting on 16 August, the council’s Regional Development and Operations Committee approved the deal in which Waiuku College surrendered its licence in favour of the Trust, effective immediately.

Committee Chair Ann Hartley described the arrangement as a “win-win” for the community and the college.

“This arrangement will breathe new life into the camp which would relieve a financial burden shouldered by the college and will help attract more visitors to our Awhitu Regional Park,” she said.

Built in 1978, the camp has been operated by Waiuku College whose students used the facilities and whose board of trustees could hire out to cover increasing costs. Under the new arrangement the college will still be able to access the camp facilities.

Councillor Hartley paid tribute to the College for its decision to offer the camp’s future operation to the Trust, a move unanimously endorsed by fellow councillors.

Among those councillors is Calum Penrose, the former Papakura District Mayor and currently the Chair of the Trustees of High Wire.

ENDS

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