Driftwood sofa likely to be relocated from Mount dunes

Local resident Lois Hemsley was happy with the meeting with her councillors but said she would still be very sorry to see the driftwood sofa relocated. Photo/Andrew Warner.

The popular "driftwood sofa" built on top of dunes at Mount Maunganui is likely to be relocated despite its builder and a concerned resident taking the fight to their local councillors.

Brian Currie, who built the structure with his friend Rodney Griffen in March, and local resident Lois Hemsley met with Mount Maunganui/Papamoa Ward councillors Steve Morris and Leanne Brown yesterday to discuss what could be done after the council ordered the seat's removal.

The seat is at the top of the dunes on Marine Parade, halfway between Sutherland and Grove Aves.

Mr Morris said they had agreed to consider the installation of a tidied up version of the driftwood sofa as part of the Phoenix Park development next year.

"Brian agreed to remove the seat in the next few weeks and store it."

He said councillors did not have the ability to override resource consent rules on a case-by-case basis.

He and Ms Brown would ask their fellow councillors to consider funding park benches and improved road-to-beach accessways at key locations through the 10-year budget.

Mr Currie and Mrs Hemsley said they were happy with the meeting and the discussion about future options for the driftwood sofa.

But Mrs Hemsley said she would still be sorry to see it relocated.

Ms Brown said council staff had been asked for an extension until the end of September so that Mr Currie and Mr Griffen could remove the seat together.

"We acknowledge how special this bench is to Brian but it's also about being a peaceful place to gather his thoughts with or without the unique seat."

Brian Currie built the seat with his friend Rodney Griffen in March and only found out it was going to be removed in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend on Saturday. Photo/John Borren.

Tauranga City Council parks and recreation manager Mark Smith said last week the council had been working hard over a number of years to restore the dunes at all of Tauranga's beaches back to their natural state, "which includes removing structures and encroachments".

"The dunes are a conservation area. Any structures there require a resource consent, as going through the process would mitigate any negative environmental impacts."