Media release for immediate use: Friday 19 July 2024
BEGINS
Auckland Council advises the owner of GHCC golf course 999-Year Encumbrance will be upheld
Keep Whangaparāoa’s Green Spaces (KWGS) today received a copy of a letter sent recently by Council CEO, Phil Wilson to Long River Investments Ltd, the company that owns the Gulf Harbour Country Club (GHCC) golf course land. It states that Council, both at CEO and political level supports the 999 year Encumbrance over the golf course land. This Encumbrance requires that the land be used exclusively as a golf course and country club.
Spokesperson for KWGS, Howard Baldwin, says this is a major development and reflects the overwhelming support from the Whangaparaoa community to stop any housing development on the golf course land. KWGS also understand the Council has invoiced Long River for approximately $200,000 for demolition work on the clubhouse buildings destroyed following two recent suspicious fires and require Long River to comply with the terms of the Encumbrance and its other legal obligations. This includes maintenance of the golf course and removal of freedom campers.
While the news from council is an extremely important step in stopping any housing development, KWGS has reported previously its concern that Long River may apply for resource consent for housing through the government Fast Track Approval legislation. KWGS recently wrote to the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, Ministers Chris Bishop, Simeon Brown, Shane Jones and our local MP Mark Mitchell strongly urging government to deny Long River fast track consent and suggesting that because of the 999-year Encumbrance on the land, that any application by Long River should be referred to Auckland Council. We understand that copy of Council's letter has been sent by Council to both Ministers Mark Mitchell and Chris Bishop. Mark Mitchell has previously stated that nothing will happen on the golf course land without community support, and in writing to other Ministers, KWGS has strongly stated the reasons why a Fast Track Approval application must be declined.
KWGS intends to contact the US based private equity company funding Long River Investments together with the second and third mortgagees to make them all aware of the Council's position.
KWGS believes this unequivocal statement from Auckland Council is a major step towards the return of this iconic and much loved golf course and associated green space, which lies right on Auckland’s doorstep, to its former status as one of New Zealand’s finest attractions.
We will be holding a YouTube Livestream on our channel: (https://www.youtube.com/@KeepGreenSpaces in the coming days to discuss today’s development and next steps. Details will be made public once arrangements are confirmed.
For more information contact Howard Baldwin: comms@kwgnz.org
Visit our website: www.kwgnz.org
ENDS