Peter Haynes wrote an opinion piece in the NZ Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm… Unfortunately most of his "opinion" is based on a consultation process that was flawed and manipulative as there wasn't an option to retain the status quo. Our petition of over 4000 signatories suggests that "keeping Chamberlain as an 18 hole public course" would have been the outcome of a fair consultation process. So Peter, let's get the facts straight! Fact - The AELB want to spend rate payer money on redeveloping Chamberlain Park. Fact - The $30m cost projection came from the AELB - however we believe that this figure could be higher as proper costings and analysis of the redevelopment have not been done. Fact - Golf is an 18 hole game not a 9 hole game; a recent survey by NZ Golf bears this fact out Fact - Chamberlain Park is one of the busiest golf courses in Auckland and given it services the working class and casual golfer it has high amenity value for the city. Fact - Chamberlain Park generates more than $1m in revenue in a year. Fact - Participation rates are increasing at Chamberlain Park and have been for the past couple of years as City Parks has improved the playing environment Fact - Chamberlain is one of two public 18 hole golf courses servicing all of Auckland - with golf being the number one participation sport loosing Chamberlain disadvantages those who either cannot afford to play elsewhere or simply like the casual nature of Chamberlain. Fact - Chamberlain Park is a very good public golf courses that ranks with similar such course in London such as Richmond and Wimbledon. Chop it up and you will not get it back. Fact - more people (around three times) have signed the "stop the chop" petition than participated in the so called consultation process, which in any case we believe was flawed. Fact - Chamberlain Park has been servicing golfers from all around Auckland for 75 years. It deserves more than a 3 to 4 vote at an AELB meeting to undertake such a drastic change to this iconic asset. Fact - There are no housing development plans for the adjacent site as claimed by Haynes. Should there be, then some of that land would sensibly be green space amenity. Fact - The Albert Eden prescient is surrounded by green space amenity. Question - why waste rate payer money on adding a driving range and pitch and putt area when players would prefer the real thing? There are plenty of driving ranges in Auckland. Question - What value will two sports fields offer as per the Master Plan given the cost, particularly when you take into account the significant negative amenity impact it will have on the current golf course? Question - With many alternative green spaces in eyesight of Chamberlain Park what is the point in spending rate payer money on destroying one very well used facility. Question - why not use the money proposed on developing better weather proofing of sports field amenities