Mayoral candidate Phil Goff has told Fairfax Media that he supports the re-development of Chamberlain Park golf course as the decision was made by the elected Albert-Eden Local Board. Check it out on stuff! http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/84908513/election-2016-phil-goff-tackles-the-issues-facing-central-Auckland This statement ignores the facts that the re-development of Chamberlain Park was not an issue at the last local body elections and that all “consultations” by the Board on the topic (which deliberately excluded the 18 hole status quo as an option) have shown a clear majority of respondents opposing re-development. This opposition is being ignored by the Board in clear defiance of accepted democratic principles, allowing them to reach their pre-determined objective. Mr Goff has ignored his Labour roots by supporting the demise of a facility developed for the use of the citizens of Auckland by depression Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage and which remains as one of only two public golf courses serving Auckland City, A recent Active New Zealand survey has shown that golf is the most popular participation sport in Auckland and Chamberlain Park is not only one of the busiest courses in Auckland, it is the home of those casual golfers who cannot afford to, or does not wish to, join a private club but still wish to take on the personal challenge provided by playing 18 holes of golf. See our website for survey info. http://www.savecpark.org/read-me-1/ Finally, Mr Goff has made much of his desire to cut costs and limit rate increases but he appears willing to support a project anticipated to cost over $30 million which will destroy a much-used facility which has a special place in the Auckland landscape and is not subsidised by ratepayers but makes a positive return to the Council’s coffers. A petition opposing the re-development organised by concerned users of Chamberlain Park has, gathered over 2,800 signatures to date, a far greater number than any previous survey or “consultation”, and will be presented to the newly-elected Albert-Eden Local Board. Mr Goff, please listen to them. Keep sharing. Get supporters to sign the petition! https://www.change.org/p/save-chamberlain-park