The design for the upgrading of the Ōrākei Basin Pathway, running along the grass area at the foot of the cliff from the boat ramp to the Auckland Water Ski Club, is seriously concerning Remuera residents. This disquiet is caused by the lack of consultation and failure to follow the Ōrākei Basin Management Plan 2010. A summary of identified issues:
- The main problem is rainwater, groundwater, amenity loss and erosion.
- The loss of a significant proportion of the grassed area on the Southern Reserve that is currently used as parkland for leisure activities (refer to page 16 The Hobson, July/August 2018).
- The track is being moved from the water’s edge back up against the trees necessitating the need for elevated boardwalks to go over tree roots and allowing for continued erosion of the bank edge.
- The project includes a metre wide ditch (swale) at the base of the bush. The expert advice we have received considers it will have virtually no water in it and be filled with leaves and rubbish.
- A 1.8 metre wide track up against the ditch with raised wooden boardwalks will further encroach on the area. The elevated boardwalk over the wet areas with its exposed drainage channels will discharge directly into the Basin. Subsoil drains would be more appropriate.
- At stormwater drainage points piles of rocks will be submerged in the Basin with planting on top and in the water. The rocks will create a hazard for Basin users and the planting will raise the nutrient and odour level of the water.
- The existing piles of rocks at the boat ramp car park will be continued for six metres south to prevent erosion. A tumbled rock edge is considered unsuitable as it creates a hazard in this boating and skiing reserve.
- Overall, the proposed design is expensive, intrusive and over-engineered.
Resolution passed at the RRA Public Meeting on 1 August 2018:
That this meeting is concerned about the adequacy of the design and partial implementation of the southern walkway at the Ōrākei Basin and requests the Ōrākei Local Board suspend the project, re-open consultation, and re-design the walkway, and re-sequence its implementation relative to erosion control works.
For further information contact Lynley at obpginc@gmail.com
