Takapuna Campground

It is great that Councillor George Wood has sided with the community over the Takapuna Beach campground. I have noted with concern that since the formation of the Auckland Council, the pervasive direction is the commercialistion of community activities. Too often community events or projects are furthered only if there is a financial return that matches some forecast on a Council spreadsheet. I applaud decisions made in a businesslike manner but some community activities are well loved and hard to measure in an economic sense. We are seeing an increasing and alarming focus solely on economic return for the city. This measure has triggered discussions of whether neighbourhood parks should be sold if not used by formal groups or sports bodies. Local contractors have lost out to regional conglomerates, and local events to regional extravaganzas. The economic focus seems to take precedent over cultural, environmental or social returns to the community. The community has to be vigilant to ensure that an holistic view of its wellbeing is considered in Council’s decision-making processes. Takapuna Beach campground is a fabulous example and it seems as if in this case, the community view might just prevail.