Public Access between Wainui and Eastbourne?

Photo courtesy http://www.stuff.co.nz

Baring Head is up for mortgagee sale, and Greater Wellington council  is debating the possibility of buying the land on Tuesday in a public barred meeting.  This as an ideal opportunity to open up access between Wainuiomata and Eastbourne. 

The 284 hectare Baring Head property covers the southernmost kilometre of hills on the Pencarrow coast.  It is currently the only piece of privately owned land restricting public access between Wainuiomata Coast Road and Eastbourne as well as river access all the way down the Wainuiomata River to the sea.  If it was publically owned it would allow an extension of the planned Great Harbour Way: Te Aranui o Poneke, a 70 kilometre walking and cycling route around the whole Wellington harbour, continuing either to Wainuiomata or the Wairarapa. 

The property would give public access to several archaeological sites, including the lighthouse and keepers house, which are already owned by Greater Wellington council, as well as nationally important marine terraces, a regionally important rock climbing site and several species of threatened flora and fauna.  It will be a major visitor attraction to the area.

Tenders for the $1.7 million rated property close on June 11.  Greater Wellington council are debating the possibility while Lower Hutt Mayor David Ogden is reluctant for Hutt City Council to own the land. “I don’t believe it’s our core business. It’s more of a regional council responsibility.”

This marvelous opportunity for public recreation must be seized rather than passing the buck between agencies.

For more reading

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/3583454/Big-Baring-Head-property-put-up-for-mortgagee-sale

http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=25380

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=118447108196361