Board decision a ‘slap in the face’ for community

Papakura Local Board member Michael Turner is calling for Chairperson Brent Catchpole to resign following a controversial casting vote.

A meeting earlier this week took place to decide the allocation of $1.75 million in encumbrance funds within the planned 42-hectare Opaheke Park.

However, the meeting was turned on its head when Mr Catchpole blindsided the board. He proposed Sir Noel Robinson, principal of Motleon, which is developing the site, foot the additional $1.75 million bill for the northern portion of the park, rather than the council.

Motleon had already injected $4.25 million into the project which will see a subdivision built on the former Papakura Golf Course.

Mr Turner said he was incensed by the decision. He wants to see the park go ahead, but the latest developments mean he wouldn’t be surprised if Sir Noel ditched the project after being ‘shafted’.

“What [the board] has done is an insult and a step back for Papakura,” Mr Turner said.

“It is utterly irresponsible. I’m feeling so strongly about it that I will call for [Mr Catchpole] to resign as chair.

“I have no faith in him. What he has done is criminal.”

Auckland Deputy Mayor Bill Cashmore said the project was backed by Mayor Phil Goff, and would be a huge loss if the project was stifled.

“Papakura has been crying out for something like this for two generations now,” Mr Cashmore said.

“I knew it as the Heart of the South, but that’s not the case anymore. We can turn that around; the completion is vital.”

Initial concepts for the park include a walking track, BMX track, basketball court, flying fox, hammock and sling garden, climbing walls, slides, a fitness station, a lookout tower and numerous amenities.

In an email sent out before the meeting, Sir Noel committed an additional $250,000 for the southern portion of the development before the meeting.

That was on condition the local board would allocate the full $1.75 million to the southern portion of the park. A trust fund led by Sir Noel for two years was also slated.

When asked where the money would come from, Mr Catchpole said it would “probably” come from elsewhere. Further probing by board members did not reveal a definite source of the money.

Deputy Chairperson Felicity Auva'a said losing the opportunity would be devastating for the community.

“We can’t afford to lose it for the sake of not knowing where it will go,” Mrs Auva’a said.

“To turn that opportunity down would be foolish.”

Mrs Auva’a added the proposal to make Motleon pay for the encumbrance would be disrespectful to Sir Noel.

When asked by Mrs Auva’a why he voted in favour, local board member and former mayor of Papakura, George Hawkins said, “simply because it’s a better option”.

Mr Catchpole proposed an 18-month consultation with the local clubs and sporting codes to assess how to best equip the sporting changing and club rooms.

The encumbrance would also be put in a holding account until a decision was made about further allocation of the southern portion.

That decision was met with opposition. Mrs Auva’a was supported by local board member Bill McEntee and Mr Turner in getting the project underway sooner.

Mr Catchpole’s casting vote as chairman was used as the board was split 3/3 to invite Motleon to pay the entire cost of the northern portion and begin the consultation process.