Takapuna camp in danger of closing

Caravans at the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park. Photo / Doug Sherring

For 80 years the camping ground beside the beach at Takapuna has been a haven for budget holidaymakers, overseas tourists, sports teams and people between homes or jobs.

From caravans backed on to the waterfront, or from tents pitched on the grass, people have fallen asleep to the sounds of the sea as it washed the nearby reef, beach and boat ramp.

The sun rising over Rangitoto, yacht races and passing cargo ships have been part of the daily view that draws some people back year after year.

But the days of the Takapuna Beach Holiday Park, at No 22 The Promenade, only 350m from Takapuna central business area and shadowed by the homes and apartments of millionaires, could be numbered.

For the second time in a decade, the municipal owner of the land under the camp is reviewing its future as time draws near for the lease to run out.

The proprietors' lease expires in 2013 and they want Auckland Council to renew it.

But the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board is preparing a management plan for its slender reserves along Takapuna Beach from Earnoch Ave to Hauraki Rd. It is calling for the public's ideas by August 5.

The last time North Shore City Council invited citizens' visions of the future of the camp's hectare of flat land, it faced heated calls for its removal for a public park, countered by backing for it for it from equally staunch supporters.

Takapuna resident Fay Hobday raised 1310 signatures on a petition for it to be transferred "for the benefit of all".

"And I'll do it again," she said yesterday.

"We won back a third of the camping ground for reserve. We need the rest of the flat land - the caravans can go elsewhere."

But Alan Graham, of Devonport, said his plea for it to remain was getting support from all over the North Shore.

"It's such a remarkable caravan park, it's unique, it's something that would make us a world-class city. If it is turned into a public park it will just be covered in rubbish."

One of the park's owners, Marius Rothmann, said 25,000 guests stay in an average year; summer draws 4000 to 5000 a month and winter about 1300 a month.

The maximum permitted stay was two months and all guests were charged a nightly rate.

"It's very much a going concern but our plans to improve our streets and ablutions blocks cannot go ahead until we know the lease will be renewed."

Mr Rothmann said the park paid a market rent, which the council reviewed every five years.

Holiday Parks Association chief executive Fergus Brown said the Takapuna park's visitors spent at least $6 million in the local economy last year.

"Only 18 per cent of that was spent on accommodation so the rest was spent on food and beverage and retail.

"Takapuna is unusual in that half the guests are from overseas."