Auckland Council reveals new proposal for Takapuna Golf Course

Construction to turn Takapuna Golf Course into a flood storage wetland is set to begin in 2027, Auckland Council has announced.

It has chosen a design concept that could allow for both flood resilience and a nine-hole golf course with a driving range at AF Thomas Park, also known as Takapuna Golf Course.

The council said the project aimed to reduce downstream flood flow through Wairau Creek, cutting flood risk to more than 250 homes and three residential care homes in Milford.

It would also protect critical infrastructure and access to key facilities such as North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys' and Girls' High Schools, as well as Eventfinda Stadium.

Auckland Council general manager, healthy waters and flood resilience Craig Mcilroy said the project was a response to the 2023 Auckland floods which heavily impacted parts of Auckland's North Shore.

"We heard from the community that they wanted us to move swiftly and decisively while protecting the recreational greenspace they love. This design concept achieves both and we can now progress this important work."

The project has garnered opposition from golfing bodies and prominent figures in the sport. Insurance companies said using the golf course to prevent flooding may be a necessary sacrifice for golfers.

Auckland Council said staff evaluated more than 100 flood mitigation options. The Transport, Resilience and Infrastructure Committee endorsed a business case in April to integrate flood storage with recreational facilities at AF Thomas Park.

At the same April meeting, the committee requested that the proposed concept be reviewed alongside an alternative put forward by existing leaseholders of AF Thomas Park, Takapuna Golf Course. It explores whether an 18-hole golf course could be retained on the land while providing the same level of flood storage.

Tom Mansell, Auckland Council head of sustainable partnerships (healthy waters & flood resilience) said the golf club's initial proposal, creating a large number of smaller stormwater storage ponds throughout the park, was soon found to be unfeasible due to cost and maintenance requirements.

The council granted the golf course a one-month extension to provide another option. A subsequent design was submitted by the golf club which was a very similar approach, both in land formation and stormwater detention, to the Auckland Council design.

"The council has worked closely with Takapuna Golf Course to complete a feasibility assessment of the two proposals. An eight-step technical review ensured both options were evaluated fairly for feasibility, cost-effectiveness as well as addressing environmental considerations," Mansell said.

"Both the council proposal and the golf course's revised proposal have similarities in terms of placement and the method of storing stormwater on the site. We're confident in the single design concept that's come out of the feasibility assessment and are ready to move this project forward for our communities."

Auckland Council said while the confirmed design concept could allow for a nine-hole golf course and a driving range on the site, how the recreational sport could be incorporated into the park's future use was still to be determined and would be decided by the Kaipātiki Local Board in consultation with the community, mana whenua, and advice from council staff.

Consultation with the wider community was planned for later this year on potential recreational activities in the green areas surrounding the new wetland.

Any additional costs for sport or recreation come at a cost and were currently unfunded. They would be subject to Long-term Plan and alternative budget availability.

A Community Advisory Group has been established for the project, with representatives from local community groups, rōpū Māori, schools, and the local board to provide ongoing input and help guide decisions that reflected local needs and aspirations.

The Wairau flood resilience project is part of the $760 million Making Space for Water programme and aims to make Auckland's infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather events.

Making Space for Water is co-funded with central government, which will provide 62 percent of the project costs.

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