KEY POINTS:
Thundercat speedboat racing plans for Piha tomorrow have upset some local residents who say the event is inappropriate and that Waitakere City Council did not give them a chance to object.
"It's the eco city here and we're talking about an iconic west coast beach as a place people go for non motorised sport," said resident Kubi Witten-Hannah.
"The timing is unsuitable because it will be a very busy day for Piha anyway, being the peak of the season and will affect surfers and people in general enjoying the beach."
Mr Witten-Hannah, who is a volunteer emergency services member, said he was concerned about traffic congestion and that boats and vehicles parking on the beach would block access for emergency vehicles.
He said the community was behind public events, such as the traditional surf boat race and Art on the Beach but when it came to motorised racing boats, locals felt they had a role as guardians for the people of Auckland.
Resident and Green Party West Auckland spokesman Kath Dewar said Thundercats were not fondly remembered for their last event at Piha several years ago, when races disrupted a traditional surfing competition.
A surfer blocked the race course and refused to move.
'It's shameful permission can be granted for an event like this with no regard for the impact on Maui dolphin."
Thundercat Racing president Kerry Wood said a permit was applied for last September and granted after no objection came from the residents' association.
"Piha is an iconic brand beach and we want to race there ... it looks good in our camera and it always has good surf and the beach is big." He said the event would be based at Piha North and take up 400sq m of beach. Racing boats had propeller guards.
There had never been an accident with spectators.
He expected 200 to 500 people coming to Piha to watch races from 10am to 4pm.
"It's a 10km-long beach and we don't want it all or anything and we are there for three-quarters of the day."
A city council spokesman said the council had to balance the wants and needs of local residents against the public's right to access spaces such as beaches and parks to host events too.
A traffic management plan was not needed for the permit because the spectator crowd was not huge.
The council said conditions were attached to the permit to protect beachgoers and the environment.
