Tui Glen's future under threat

By WAYNE THOMPSON

New Zealand's first registered camping ground, the Tui Glen Motor Camp, in Henderson, faces closure after 80 years.

The land's owner, the Waitakere City Council, is weighing up whether the 4.8ha reserve is more useful as parkland or as its only site offering low-cost, short-term stays.

This follows the Henderson Community Board's resolving in December that the green heart of town is no place for caravans and cabins and they should be removed at the earliest opportunity.

The rows of 77 caravans, eight tourist flats and 13 cabins are just across Henderson Creek from the city's aquatic centre, where the council is about to begin a $12 million expansion.

Councillors say people shy from using the public walkway beside the creek because it passes near caravans.

Its public image suffered last September when the body of a caravan resident, Justin Dyne, was found in the Waitakere Ranges, sparking a murder inquiry.

But another side to the park was revealed last week when the camping ground's proprietors for 17 years, Joyce and David Gilbert, appealed to the council's property committee for a chance to put a full case before the council decided.

Their lawyer, John Morton, said there was demand in West Auckland for a less expensive standard of accommodation.

Visitors included refugee families and out-of-towners such as contract workers, children on class trips, swimming club groups and youth groups. Tui Glen was a tranquil temporary refuge for otherwise homeless and hard-up people.

The Waipareira Trust, Salvation Army, Social Welfare and the Justice Departments closely liaised with the Gilberts over housing and benefit needs.

"Tui Glen functions without cost to the council or the need for any official or bureaucratic structure."

Stays were limited to 90 days.

The committee decided to consider the park's future during the annual plan discussions in June, when the Gilberts and the public can offer fuller submissions.