The Howick Local Board will next year consider if it’s got money in its budget to fund an east Auckland facility provided to motor home and caravan users.
As recently reported, the ‘dump station’ at Half Moon Bay Marina was shut down earlier this year due to repeated vandalism that resulted in the marina spending thousands of dollars to keep it functioning.
Marina general manager Mark Hollier said the most recent incident saw a vandal throw rocks into it, smashing the infrastructure under the concrete.
The marina had spent more than $2000 trying to maintain the dump station, which allowed for the proper disposal of wastewater from motor homes and caravans.
It now needs a “whole new system” installed.
The marina is unwilling to keep paying to have the dump station repaired and believes the facility should be funded by Auckland Council or the local board, Hollier said.
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association’s (NZMCA) James Imlach previously said the absence of a public dump station in the Howick ward will “certainly make life difficult” for local motor-homers.
The operating dump stations nearest to east Auckland now are in Maraetai and Wiri.
Imlach’s association welcomes the chance to discuss a replacement facility with the council and local board.
“In our view, it is imperative local authorities are committed to providing well-functioning public dump stations in their cities and districts.”
One of the people impacted by the closure of the facility at the marina is Waiheke Island resident Wendy Gordon, whose motor home is based in east Auckland.
She recently contacted the Times, Howick ward councillors Sharon Stewart and Maurice Williamson, local board chairperson Damian Light and the NZMCA to express her disappointment at it being shut down.
Gordon says it makes it “extremely difficult” to empty a motor home or caravan’s waste water.
“The nearest site [now] is Maraetai and I have no intention of driving to Maraetai, wasting fuel and time to dump way out there.
“There was a dump station at the Musick Point end of Bucklands Beach which was closed about three years ago.
“With respect, I suggest this be reopened for those us doing our best to do the correct thing.
“If RV (recreational vehicle) people are to be responsible, surely this must be remedied.
“Many of us are older people who are doing our best to do things legally.
“Also for all the tourists who find the situation difficult because of lacking facilities, there must be a better solution.”
Light says the board empathises with the situation as vandalism has also impacted it through costly repairs to facilities such as public toilets due to “disrespectful behaviour of a few individuals”.
“While we’d love to be able to provide every service to everyone, we have a very limited budget that is under significant pressure from rising costs and a growing population.
“When we asked locals earlier this year where we should focus thousands of residents told us to prioritise the environment, arts and culture, and youth, which we have.”
Light says the board will consult on its annual budget for 2024/25 next year and will look to see if there’s public demand for the provision of a dump station.
“In the meantime, we’re open to conversations with the NZ Motor Caravan Association, especially regarding funding support.”
