It is situated between the Wairau Valley and the suburb of Milford, both of which experienced some of the worst flooding over the Auckland Anniversary Weekend in 2023, and where David Miller and Daniel Newth died after being swept away in floodwaters.
Public consultation on the park’s future recreational use showed support for a mix of activities. Individual submitters expressed a slightly stronger preference for golf, while organisations favoured a more balanced approach, with a modest lean toward other types of recreation.
When asked what forms of golf should be provided at the park, both individual submitters and organisations favoured a driving range and a nine‑hole traditional course. An 18‑hole beginner/intermediate course was a close third choice among individual respondents.
Council staff will now prepare information, analysis, and recommendations for the Kaipātiki Local Board, before a final report in March, when the board will decide on the mix of sport and recreation facilities.
The council’s stormwater division, Healthy Waters, has done further work on the proposed wetland, detention, and fill areas, identifying several constraints, including basalt outcrops and access challenges across the site.
As a result, the wetland footprint has been shifted to more closely follow the historic wetland area, with dry detention zones positioned above the basalt.
Last September, golfing retailer Golf Warehouse announced a $20 million proposal to build a new “world-class” nine-hole course, with a new driving range, a new community stadium to replace the at-risk Eventfinda Stadium, and other recreation and sporting facilities.
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