Minimum six months to study West Park Marina options.

Two options stand out following public consultation

West Park Marina Ltd has announced that it will take more than six months to complete feasibility studies for the future development of the marina zone in Waitakere City.

Peter Williams, development manager, said the studies will take into account “extensive feedback” from a public consultation phase over the past six months.

“There was far more interest than we expected and the views were wide ranging. It will be a challenging exercise to please everyone,” he said.

The public consultation has included public meetings, information to local homes and businesses, website and media advertisements throughout Waitakere City.

The consultation outlined five options for development. These options included various configurations of foreshore reclamation, marine industry, residential development and opening up of the harbour edge for more public access. Mr Williams said two options stood out as favourites in the feedback and they are almost diametrically opposed.

“The vision of the marina company has always been to create an attractive gateway for Waitakere City at the water’s edge and make it a destination for public leisure,” said Mr Williams.

“People are naturally attracted to water and the concept of living, working and relaxing in this location is very attractive.”

The consultation, however, disclosed that there are people who both support the idea and those who are against it.

Of the five options considered in the consultation the first and the fifth were clear favourites and also at extreme ends of the options.

“Option one was to largely just maintain the marina as it is, with more marine industry activity while the other (option five), reclaims some foreshore, offers more residential living, greater public access to the water’s edge, more commercial and industrial activity and extensive public open spaces to encourage more people for leisure and relaxation,” said Mr Williams.