The following documents are our record of the process leading up to the June deadline. This effort was made in the interests of maintaining access to the foreshore so that future generations of New Zealanders have the opportunity to fish, camp and enjoy our remarkable country.
To achieve
a good level of understanding the process
we believe it is important to read the information in chronological
order. Please help yourself to the information below. We welcome your feedback.
| Proposed Higham Road Closure |
| Court process and latest developments |
|
SHAG public meeting
A public meeting to discuss the latest developments in the attempted process to stop vehicle access through Higham Road to the Kaipara Harbour. An eight-person committe, chairman and treasurer of the Incorporated Society have been appointed. Meeting report now available. |
6 Dec
10
(30Kb)
|
SHAG letter to Board chairman
A letter from the South Head Action Group Inc. to Bob Howard, chairman of the newly formed Rodney Local Board, and copied to Board members. SHAG is available to meet with the chairman or the Local Board at a convenient time. |
30 Nov
10
(70Kb)
|
SHAG Briefing paper
A Briefing paper prepared by the South Head Action Group Incorporated, outlining the key concerns regarding the proposed stopping of Higham Road. This paper was provided to members of the Rodney Local Board, part of the newly formed Auckland Council. |
30 Nov
10
(60Kb)
|
Pre-hearing Court minute
A minute from the Environment Court following the Pre-hearing conference held on 29 November 2010. This minute clearly explains the Pre-hearing outcome and future process. A definite read! |
29 Nov
10
(330Kb)
|
SHAG Court memo
A memorandum to the Environment Court from counsel representing the South Head Action Group Incorporated. This Brookfield Lawyers letter outlines the issues, asks for information previously withheld by Rodney Council and rejects for now the offer of mediation, based on the alternative offer being unacceptable. |
29 Nov
10
(870Kb)
|
Pre-hearing outcome - a deferral until February 2011
A Pre-hearing conference held in the Environment Court, Auckland, was attended by counsel for all parties. The case has been deferred until 25 February 2011 to allow the Auckland Council to investigate and determine its position. Currently it is conflicted by being both representative of Rodney District Council, the original proposers, and the Auckland Regional Council as objectors. |
|
CORANZ letter to Environment Court - must read!
A letter to the Environment Court urging the Auckland Council to drop the closure proposal and leave Higham Road open for public use. This letter from the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ is a cracker! |
26 Nov
10
(60Kb)
|
Newsletter 2 - South Head Action Group (SHAG)
Second newsletter from the South Head Action Group (SHAG). Update of Court process, Pre-hearing conference details and advising of an organised walk over Higham Road to the Kaipara foreshore. |
22 Nov
10
(20Kb)
|
Newsletter 1 - South Head Action Group (SHAG)
First newsletter from the South Head Action Group (SHAG), includes directions on how to register as an interested party with the Environment Court. |
16 Nov
10
(20Kb)
|
Environment Court Pre-hearing notice
Environment Court notice of a Pre-hearing conference and details for attendance at the Hearing Room, Federal Street, Auckland. Pre-hearing scheduled for Monday, 29 November 2010. (Hard copy only) |
|
Environment Court notification
The Environment Court letter advising submitters of the process and inviting applications to be a party to the proceedings, and asking people to clarify if they want to participate in Court-assisted mediation. |
5 Nov
10
(180Kb)
|
Environment Court Form 33
Environment Court Form 33 - an application to the registrar notifying the Court that a person wishes to be a party to proceedings. Completed forms were due with the Environment Court by 26 November 2010. |
4 Nov
10
(20Kb)
|
Environment Court documents
Simpson Grierson, acting for Rodney District Council, distribute to interested parties both the final letter to the Environment Court and final memo filed with the Court on 29 October 2010. (documents below) |
|
Environment Court acknowledgement
Environment Court letter to applicant party's counsel acknowledging receipt of the application for directions regarding the proposal to stop Higham Road. |
2 Nov
10
(700Kb)
|
Auckland supercity
As of 1 November 2010 the Rodney District Council, Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Councill no longer exist. All three entities were interested parties to the proposed road stopping process. |
|
South Head Action Group
Active objectors to the proposed Higham Road closure form a group to fight against the proposal. The South Head Action Group is formed and a committee appointed. |
|
Rodney Council Court memo
Simpson Grierson, acting for Rodney District Council, provide a memo to the Environment Court explaining the issue background and suggest that certain directions be made by the Court. |
29 Oct
10
(160Kb)
|
Rodney Council Court letter
Simpson Grierson, acting for Rodney District Council, advise the Environment Court that the Council wishes to lodge the 161 objections, to the proposed road stopping, with the Court. The letter's appendices include maps and detailed descriptions of the area concerned. |
29 Oct
10
(2.1MB)
|
| Rodney District Council |
|
Rodney Council decision
The Rodney District Council did not uphold objections to the proposed closure of Higham Road, Kaipara. The matter was referred to the Environment Court on the Council's last day of existence. Subsequent matters would be dealt with by the new supercity Auckland Council. |
|
Rodney Council hearing
Rodney District Councillors meet with proposal objectors and supporters to hear various comments in support of earlier submissions. The hearing was at Helensville Hall on 12 August. People were given 10 minutes speaking time each. |
|
Rodney Council hearing invitation
Rodney District Council letter acknowledging the request to be heard in support of an objection to the proposed closure. A hearing will be held on 12 August at Helensville Hall. People will be given 10 minutes speaking time. |
8 Jul
10
(Pdf 50Kb)
|
Rodney Council acknowledgement
Rodney District Council letter acknowledging submitters objections to the proposed closure of Higham Paper Road, Kaipara. The RDC will consider the responses and decide their next moves. A hearing is likely in July or August 2010........... |
11 Jun
10
(Pdf 580Kb)
|
| Alert #15 - Foreshore access under threat |
|
Access to the foreshore is under threat now
A Rodney District Council scheme to close vehicle access to the Kaipara Harbour is a thinly disguised process to deny the public access to the foreshore. Act now to ensure foreshore access remains for all New Zealanders...........
|
27 May
10
|
| Objections |
|
Grace objection to proposed closure
This objection details the public versus private good interests in relation to the proposed closure and asks the Rodney District Council to withdraw its Notice of Intention to stop part of Higham Road, South Head, Kaipara Harbour........ |
1 Jun
10
(Pdf 200Kb)
|
CORANZ objects to proposed closure
The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of New Zealand objects to the proposed closure of Higham Road because public recreational access to the coast is a matter of national importance........ |
31 May
10
(Pdf 300Kb)
|
Rea objection to paper road closure proposal
Trish Rea's objection to the proposed closure of vehicle access to the Kaipara foreshore through Higham Paper Road. It is vital to maintain foreshore access for people who go fishing to feed themselves and their family............ |
31 May
10
(Pdf 80Kb)
|
Webber objection to road closure proposal
Ross Webber objects to the proposed closure of Higham Road and the piecemeal approach to planning by the Rodney District Council........ |
30 May
10
(Pdf 110Kb)
|
SHAG objects to proposed closure
The South Head Action Group objects to the proposed closure of Higham Road because this paper road is heavily used by the public and provides valuable vehicle access to the Kaipara Harbour foreshore...... |
30 May
10
(Pdf 120Kb)
|
| Higham Road documents |
|
Major concerns about the closure proposal
There are major concerns regarding the Rodney District Council's proposal to close vehicle access to the Kaipara Harbour via Higham Paper Road. Read the details here..........
|
27 May
10
(Pdf 80Kb)
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Rodney District Council is planning to close a safe public vehicle accessway to the Kaipara Harbour and sell the land to a private property owner. Read the Frequently Asked Questions to find out why they want to close this 120-year old road..............
|
27 May
10
(Pdf 460Kb)
|
Kaipara Paper Road Network
A Rodney District Council map of Paper Roads on the South Head Peninsula of the Kaipara Harbour. Interesting features and worth your perusal............
|
27 May
10
(Pdf 370Kb)
|
Sample objection form
A sample objection form to assist people in making their submissions to the Rodney District Council in opposition to the proposed closure of Higham Paper Road............ |
27 May
10
(Pdf 80Kb)
|
Key points about Higham Road
A summary paper explaining the Rodney District Council's process prior to the proposed Higham Paper Road closure becoming public knowledge............ |
27 May
10
(Pdf 160Kb)
|
