Preserve Rodney block, says trust

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster. Photo / Supplied

The Rodney District Council is being called on to withdraw a potential bush reserve near a northwest Auckland urban growth cell from its $100 million property sale.

The council's bid to sell the 83ha farmlet at Huapai by tender failed to draw a suitable offer and it is back on the market.

Rodney Mayor Penny Webster said yesterday the Tapu Rd land was bought for a sewerage works to cater for growth of 10,000 residents.

Better arrangements had now been made for Watercare Services to pipe the sewage out of the district.

"Big decisions like giving away $3 million of property needs to be done through the long term council community plan, and that document agreed to sell it.

"There are many projects needed by the communities on which it would be better to spend the $3 million."

But the Native Forest Restoration Trust says the land attracted a bid of only $1.5 million and felt its greatest value was as a forest reserve.

Worried that the property will be sold before the council dissolves next month, the trust has appealed to councillors and candidates to declare the land a reserve or give it to the trust.

Trustee Geoff Davidson said the trust was already buying 135ha of wetland near Kaipara Harbour for $1.27 million in order to protect it.

It had only recently learned of the council's bid to sell the Huapai land, which is two-thirds in bush and borders the Kumeu River.

"The trust is concerned at potential loss of habitat," he said.

"Despite being in the council's district plan as a significant natural area, the land is not recognised for its existing and potential habit value."

The trust had met Mrs Webster, an Auckland Council candidate, to outline a revegetation and restoration programme of the property.

It would be open to the public and covenanted with the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust to ensure its protection in perpetuity.

It was only 3km from the Ernest Morgan Reserve where a new species of parahebe was found and it could become the region's second site to insure any loss at the first site.

Without protection, the land was likely to be cut up into lifestyle blocks.

Rodney candidate for Auckland Council Christine Rose supported the creation of a reserve as a backdrop to the Huapai-Kumeu community.

Part of it could serve the future urban area for recreation such as mountain biking, horse riding and dog walking. She said the site had high botanical value.