Minutes of Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Workshop

16 September 2025

1 Ngā Tamōtanga | Apologies

There were no apologies.

2 Te Whakapuaki i te Whai Pānga | Declaration of Interest

Members are reminded of the need to be vigilant to stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as a member and any private or other external interest they might have.

There were no declarations of interest.

3	Local Board Workshop

Item 1 – 9.30 – 10.00

Community Activator Review 2025-2026

Presenter/s: Gustavo Ferreira Specialist Advisor

Governance role: Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s: Receive update on progress

The local board was provided with an update on the Community Development funding model review.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Support retaining activators

· Expressed concern at low survey numbers. Staff clarified the survey was shifted from in-person to online to increase responses.

· Requested staff explore other funding opportunities and ways to strengthen activators’ reach to the public.

· Requested a more detailed description of the activator role based on local context.

Item 2 – 10.00 -10.30

Devonport-Takapuna Swimming Pontoons

Presenter/s: Neil Atkinson Programme Manager, Parks and Community Facilities

Governance role: Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s: Define board position and feedback

The local board was provided with an update on the proposed installation of swimming pontoons in the local board area, and sought feedback on progression and preferred sites:

· Staff presentedseven possible locations for the installation of swimming pontoons, with anassessment undertaken for each site.

· It was noted that any pontoons are unlikely to be delivered this year due to the time required to obtain resource consent.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Expressed a preference for Milford Beach and Narrow Neck and suggested pontoons be spread evenly across locations.

· Did not support Duders Beach as a suitable location.

· Requested collaboration with Sport and Recreation staff regarding the Open Water Access plan currently in development.

· Requested consideration of reinstating the water slide at Windsor Reserve.

Next Steps:

· Staff to provide an update to the new board in February next year.

Item 3 – 10.30 – 12.00

This workshop is being held with the public excluded to allow for free and frank discussion particularly around sensitive matters regarding specific assets and service property optimisation.

60 Minute Break

Item 4 – 1.00 – 2.00

Parks and Community Facilities - Kennedy Park Tunnels – Takapuna Beach Accessibility Path

Presenter/s: Roma Leota Project Manager

Governance role: Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s: Review progress with projects

The local board was provided with an update on the Takapuna Beach accessible path and asked to provide direction on preferred options.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Sought clarity on water access for the alternative design. Staff advised they could only confirm later, as the purpose of the workshop was to confirm whether the alternative location was acceptable.

· Suggested exploring community-use wheel ramps. Staff advised this had been considered but was not feasible due to lack of storage.

· Expressed concern regarding the investigation costs and time taken. Staff advised they would explore alternative sites, and agree to discontinue investigation of the Takapuna Beach option per the local board’s direction.

Next Steps:

· Staff to return to the board with further advice.

Kennedy Park Tunnels

The local board was provided with an update on the high-level condition assessment of Kennedy Park Tunnels:

· Previous requests by members led to engagement of engineering consultants. Findings indicated the overall structure is in good condition, suggesting the tunnels could be reopened in future.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Expressed a preference for the tunnels to be reopened, with further investigation undertaken so that the next board is prepared to make a decision.

· Questioned the access of guided tours through the tunnels following the risk assessment. Staff acknowledged this interest but noted risk assessments can be difficult to confirm, as engineers may provide differing opinions.

Next Steps:

· Staff to explore options for further investigation and report back to the board.

Item 5 – 2.00 – 3.00

Lease – 2025/2026 Lease renewals – Auckland Canoe Polos Club

Presenter/s: Randy Jiang Community Lease Specialist

Governance role: Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s: Define board position and feedback

The local board was provided with an update on lease renewals for the 2025/2026 work programme for the following groups:

· Forrest Hill Milford Association Football Club Incorporated (Northern Rovers Football Club Incorporated)

· Milford Tennis Club Incorporated

· Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust – Sunnynook

· Belmont Park Racquets Club Incorporated

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Sought clarity on spacing requirement at Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust – Sunnynook, noting that some of their work is outsourced. Staff advised that all rooms were in use during a recent site visit.

· Sought clarity on commercial lease for the groups presented. Staff advised this would not apply for renewals, but it would be useful to analyse the overall portfolio in future.

Auckland Canoe Polos Club

The local board was provided with an update on the Auckland Canoe Polos proposal for a storage container and asked to provide feedback and direction.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Requested that container design and style be revised to blend in better with the surrounds . Staff to pass on this feedback.

· Raised concern around parking interference near the Hospice.

· Referenced the Open Water Access plan currently in development and suggested staff connect with the Sport and Recreation lead to consider storage options.

· Raised concern for container placement near waterways without foundations.

Item 6 – 3.00 – 4.00

Woodall Park Skate Park

Presenter/s: Xavier Choi Project Manager

Mark Crooks Senior Environmental Scientist (Thomas Consultants)

Kevin Pearson Senior Geotech Engineer from Geoconsult

Governance role: Keeping informed

Proposed Outcome/s: Review progress with projects

The local board was provided with an update on the Woodall Park Skatepark project, with consultants present to address any questions from members.

The local board raised the following points and questions in response to the presentation:

· Raised concerns about weight, disturbance on the land, and ongoing risks from contaminants. Staff and consultants advised the design of the building and stormwater systems can address these issues.

· Sought clarity on if the proposed design is sufficiently mitigated for floods in a flood zone. Consultants advised that from an engineering perspective, it should be sufficient.

· Raised concerns around harmful material in the grounds and the effects on park users and during construction. Staff advised that harmful material would be deep below the surface and that standard safety precautions for construction on contaminated land will be followed.

Next Steps:

· A report will be considered at the local board’s September business meeting to approve the concept design and progress to detailed design.

Workshop concluded 3.45pm.

Chairperson	Melissa Powell
Deputy Chairperson	Terence Harpur
Members	Peter Allen
	Gavin Busch
	George Wood, CNZM