Three-Decade Battle Over Coromandel Skate Park Ends in Court Victory for Community
Image – Stuff
Tairua skater kids are currently having to use private facilities such as this half-pipe, and crave a public skate park.
A three-decade-long dispute involving a skate park in Tairua’s Cory Park Domain in the Coromandel region, which pitted locals against bach (holiday home) owners, has finally concluded in court. The legal battle, filled with allegations of “dirty tricks,” “bribery,” and claims of nimbyism (not in my backyard), has come to an end with a High Court judge dismissing a request for a judicial review by Preserve Cory Park Domain Inc., a group largely comprising Auckland residents who opposed the skate park’s construction due to concerns about its proximity to houses, potential noise, anti-social behaviour, and sanitary issues.
This court action marked a last-ditch effort to halt the skate park project, leading to legal expenses exceeding one million dollars. Local children and parents passionately defended their right to have a skate park.
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Give us a skate park: Jacqui Gage-Brown, chair of the Tairua Sports and Recreation Trust, (far left), said the community was ecstatic with the news that the park can now go ahead.
Tairua Sports and Recreation Trust’s Jacqui Gage-Brown criticised the opposing group, accusing them of “pure nimbyism” and pointing out that many of the affluent bach owners did not live in the town.
Throughout the battle, there were instances of dubious conduct. In June, it was revealed that an Auckland rugby club had encouraged its members to manipulate a community survey to oppose the park, ostensibly to assist a benefactor with a holiday home in Tairua who was against the facility. Members were told that there could be additional sponsorship funds for the club if they participated.
Conversely, opponents claimed they had received threats during this period.
High Court Judge Powell has now brought the matter to a close with his decision, allowing the council to seek costs. The community welcomed the ruling with jubilation, and Thames Coromandel mayor Len Salt expressed relief that Justice Powell had dismissed claims of procedural flaws in the council’s decision-making process.
“We are thrilled, and it’s safe to say the Tairua community is too,” said Gage-Brown. “This is a long-awaited project that will finally come to fruition. The determination and effort to see this through, with the reward being a skate park for our community, is simply epic!”
Jim Jackson, spokesperson for the Preserve Cory Park Domain group, stated, “We respect the judge’s decision.”
Image – Stuff
The skate park is proposed for the area to the left of the goal posts.
