Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill concept plan

Background | Final concept plan | Process from here

Final concept plan

A range of improvement ideas were put forward in two draft concept plan options for public comment. The plans were on display at the Mt Wellington, Onehunga and Otahuhu Libraries, along with an open day being held. Letters were sent out to interested parties and properties in the vicinity of the park. Sites adjacent to the park were visited and information on the draft concept plan options handed out. A sign was also placed on this park and information made available at local community centres.

Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council appreciated the feedback that was given on these options. All comments received were analysed and assisted with the development of a final concept plan for the park.

The vision for the concept plan has been identified as:

to enhance the natural, visual and landscape values of Mutukaroa-Hamlins Hill
to protect the archaeological features and sites of significance
to establish significant areas of indigenous vegetation on the lower slopes and gullies
to retain the rural characteristics and informal recreational attributes.

The main elements of the final concept plan are as follows:

Park entrances

entrances into the park are to be improved to facilitate easier access to and throughout the park, while also promoting the presence of the park
the main pedestrian and vehicular entrance is to be from Great South Road (as outlined in the management plan), which will be locked at night
the main entrance is to be developed as the arrival area with park information, directional signage, entrance artwork, toilet facilities, plantings, and a carpark
pedestrian access will also be available from the existing Sylvia Park Road entrance, and the South Eastern Highway footpath on the northern side of the park. Opportunities to provide pedestrian access from Pacific Rise will also be investigated
vehicle access into the park will be for emergency and maintenance purposes only (with the exception being through any booking system for limited mobility park users).

Walkways

a walkway network is to be provided in the park, including an access path to be formed up to the summit and viewing platforms
this would be linked in with the unformed paths accessed off Sylvia Park Road and the South Eastern Highway and paths around the park
there are to be trails through open pasture and through revegetated areas
all walkways will have a graded vegetation to be designed with personal safety in mind.

Views and vistas

views are to be retained and enhanced
a central viewing platform consisting of a circular timber deck with interpretative information and a map of the surrounding features will be constructed
a southern viewing platform will also be provided, which has the potential to become the main lookout in the future with any removal of the reservoirs.

Recreational opportunities/amenity areas

a range of casual and informal recreational activities are to be available on the park including walking, jogging, mountain biking and places for picnics and family outings
facilities such as park furniture and signage are to be provided in appropriate locations throughout the park
a one-direction mountain bike track is proposed around the periphery of the park for recreational biking - this will be an off-road cycling trail aimed at families from the beginner level and will not be of competition standard. Detailed design of this bike track will need to be undertaken in conjunction with users such as the Auckland Mountain Bike Group. Safety of pedestrians will be addressed through appropriate signage
a picnic area will be provided in the centre of the park with tables and seats. This area will be free from cattle
there will be additional picnic areas in the southern part of the park
open paddock areas will provide for casual recreation opportunities such as picnics, kite flying, and kids play (for example, ball games).

Grazing

cattle grazing is to be retained in most areas as a means of maintaining the extensive grassed slopes
styles and gates will need to be considered to allow movement around the park where there is stock fencing. Council has been advised that there are appropriate devices available to facilitate bike movement through fences without allowing stock to escape
the existing stockyards will be retained and upgraded
a stock race of posts and wire fencing will be installed to provide access between paddocks.

Planting

the existing indigenous plantings are to be extended with planting along the lower slopes and in the gullies to restore the natural character of the environment and facilitate opportunities for ecological habitats and wildlife
it will also assist in providing a buffer to the adjacent motorway and industrial activities, while retaining the open nature of the upper slopes
the grassed slopes will still form a dominant feature of the park
additional specimen tree planting is also proposed for shade and shelter.

Note - the concept plan lists plant species to be used in the various parts of the park, that is, the ridges, slopes, gullies and steep south-facing scarps, and the wetland or gully floor.

Cultural heritage

the areas of cultural heritage are to be protected and access to these sites restricted through appropriate planting
signage will be included where appropriate including locational and interpretative information and history of the park at the viewing platforms
the historic hawthorn hedges and stone walls are to be retained.

Note - an archaeological sites overlay has been prepared to provide further assistance for the detailed design stage - this identifies Maori occupation areas and possible Maori garden areas.

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Updated August 2006