A Mount Maunganui resident is questioning why the local community wasn’t included in any consultation around the New Year’s Eve closure of Mount Drury.
The reserve, which includes the children’s playground at Hopukiore, also known as Mount Drury, was fenced off for nearly two days, from the day before New Year’s Eve until January 1.
“Why aren’t we consulted, informed or asked?” says the Mount resident who wishes to remain anonymous.
“Whoever’s responsible for this – it’s not cool.”
Hopukiore/Mount Drury playground is very popular with families. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.
On finding the reserve closed on Saturday, December 30, he phoned Tauranga City Council.
“The caller [council phone operator] could not help with why Mount Drury was closed,” he says.
Driving past Mount Drury just before 8am on Sunday, December 31, he decided to contact council again and says he was put through to “a sort of park manager”.
“[He] didn’t know anything about it initially. Upon investigation it was closed by police.”
The playground at Mount Drury was fenced off from 10am, December 31, 2023 until 10am, January 1, 2024. Photo: Supplied.
He took a photo that afternoon showing a Police Community Hub vehicle parked on the reserve behind the fence, and is questioning why Mount Drury is being closed during summer to families who may want to throw Frisbees and enjoy the playground.
“Many dozens of families and hundreds and hundreds of people cannot visit a local landmark because the Police don't want to?”
Tauranga City Council Spaces and Places Operations manager Warren Aitken says the decision to fence off Mount Drury at New Years’ was originally from a police request to limit access to the site due to anti-social and dangerous behaviour last New Year’s Eve.
“A joint decision was made to close the entire reserve on New Year’s Eve to help keep the community safe and increase public safety from limited crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) areas also,” says Warren.
Hopukiore (Mount Drury) Reserve was closed from 2pm, December 30, until 10am, January 1.
“The playground was fenced off from 10am December 31 until 10am January 1.
”
The playground at Mount Drury/Hopukiore was fenced off from 10am, December 31, 2023 until 10am, January 1, 2024.. Photo: John Borren/SunLive.
Warren says the playground was included in the fenced off area “because it was a potential congregation area that could lead to anti-social behaviour, broken glass, and potential damage to the playground”.
As to whether the reserve and playground will be fenced off again for 2024’s New Year’s Eve?
“We will assess this during our planning for New Year’s Eve 24,” says Warren.
4 comments
You expected consultation?
Posted on 24-01-2024 10:29 | By morepork
You are obviously thinking that we live in a democracy. Sadly, such is not the case and won't be until July, when elections for Council might be restored. The Police, of course, have to assess the risk of danger to the public and, having had bad experiences in the past, that probably prompted them to close the area. The Council should have publicized the decision and the reasons for it, at the very least. Counter arguments and support for further Policing could then have been listened to and possibly implemented. The Mount at New Year is a hard place to police and Police have a relatively small force available. They will obviously err on the side of caution. If the community gets behind them it can help immensely.
NOT OKAY POLICE!!!
Posted on 24-01-2024 12:19 | By Bruja
I will normally ALWAYS back the Police but no, not this. Close off a PUBLIC park to hundreds of people because a FEW MIGHT 'cause problems?. For goodness sake, it sounds like you're too 'frightened' to be in the role. Might 'break a fingernail?' Not ok!
The Master
Posted on 24-01-2024 12:43 | By Ian Stevenson
The fact that TCC did not consult or advise anything prior is exactly how TCC consults these days.
They know everything, they know best... Mount residents... catch up with reality this is what "We are listening" means.
@Bruja
Posted on 25-01-2024 12:12 | By morepork
I understand your annoyance, but try to expand your view, here. If you have a handful of people to try and control hundreds, and you know that if it gets out of control, you are really going to cop it (pun intended), you would probably take the safest option. Your frustration (and I share it) is that a small minority can ruin a facility for the rest of us. The Police are not the problem; it is the bad buggers who come to the area looking for trouble and a chance to create mayhem. Police are breaking fingernails most days, but they don't whine about it. (And no, I have no connections with Police; I'm just trying to be fair.) If the community get behind Police, and if we increase Police strength for holidays, we all might be able to continue "business as usual" and enjoy our environment.
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