Demolition leaves beachfront free for all

Going: The last house on the Browns Bay foreshore is knocked down. Picture / Paul Estcourt

A reminder of a time when the North Shore beachfront was fair game for home builders has gone with the demolition of a 50-year-old Browns Bay house.

The brick and tile house, and an associated cottage, have for years been an obstacle in the middle of the esplanade reserve, forcing people to walk behind them on Beachfront Lane or in front on the sand to get from one end of the beach to the other.

At one time the beachfront had 19 houses.

But since the 1960s the East Coast Bays City Council, and since the 1989 merger the North Shore City Council, have gradually bought and cleared buildings to add to the reserve and create Beachfront Lane behind the shopping centre.

Last year the council succeeded in buying the last property, on a 1169sq m site, for $2.6 million.

Former East Coast Bays City Mayor Alan McCulloch recalled earlier times when the Salvation Army sold the council "half an acre for five hundred pounds which, even then, was a gift".

Mr McCulloch said beach homes were also bought to create reserves at Waiake Beach, Campbells Bay and Mairangi Bay.

Most of the buildings were demolished, though one substantial Waiake home was removed.

Sale negotiations were friendly affairs.

"Most owners were gracious in conceding it was for the public good."

East Coast Bays Community Board chairman Sally Cargill said it was exciting that the whole beach was now available for public use, fulfilling a long-held vision.

Browns Bay has council approval for a $3.5 million facelift.

The plan is to integrate the town centre and beach and build a boardwalk promenade.