Unitec wants psychiatric clinic removed

The Mason Clinic might not be located near Unitec for much longer. Photo / Doug Sherring

Unitec's controversial housing development plans for its 53.5ha Mt Albert site show the Mason Clinic psychiatric facility gone and replaced by apartments and townhouses.

Unitec chief executive Rick Ede indicated he wanted the clinic to examine its long-term future on the site beside the Oakley Creek, to free up land.

"The possible future is that the Mason Clinic is relocated," Dr Ede said, telling of initial discussions with Waitemata District Health Board chief executive Dale Bramley.

"The clinic is on health board land and we've asked them to think what the long-term looks like," Dr Ede said.

Dr Bramley said there were no plans to leave but he did not rule out talking further with Unitec.

Unitec's Unitary Plan submission to Auckland Council shows dozens of apartments and townhouses built on the clinic site in a scheme local Auckland councillor Dr Cathy Casey says could result in 800 new residences.

The Mason Clinic was opened in 1992 and provides forensic mental health services to the northern region with 106 beds in six buildings on 3.9ha of the grounds of the former Carrington Hospital.

A community liaison group is being formed to meet on June 25. Members include Chris Casey of Point Chevalier Social Enterprise, Gladstone Primary School principal Dave Shadbolt, and representatives of the North Western Residents Association, Friends of Oakley Creek and Waterview Primary School.

Dr Ede said people could lodge their views at www.unitec.ac.nz.