The owners of a cottage on the Milford-Takapuna beach walk put up a wooden fence, severing the walkway, amid a dispute with Auckland Council. Photo: Stuff / David White
A long-running stoush between Auckland Council and the owners of a North Shore property has come to a head - with the property now up for sale.
At issue is a cottage on the beach walk between Milford and Takapuna.
In 2011, previous owner Paul Firth gave pedestrians permission to pass through the property after a previous section of walkway - which was on public land - washed away.
The current owners, who bought the cottage in 2021, wanted the cottage's heritage listing removed so they could sell it for a higher price.
While the dispute rumbled on, the owners put up a wooden fence so pedestrians could not pass through.
That meant walkers either needed to scale 60 stairs to the main road, or clamber over rocks between the sea and the property.
The owners gave what they said was a "generous" offer to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board to buy them out, but the board was unable to find funding for the purchase.
Chair Toni Van Tonder said the board explored every possible avenue.
"'We're pretty disappointed there was no appetite from the governing body to support a purchase. This was very much a local issue in their view, so we were trying to find a local solution.
"The local board is very limited in what it can and can't do - we don't have a pool of funding that we can just draw from."
The beach walk is popular with North Shore residents. Photo: Stuff
Milford Residents' Association co-chair Debbie Dunsford said the council and local board should have done more to get the path reopened.
"We're dismayed, really, at the council's attitude in refusing to come to the party, they are actually removing an important amenity. It's not as if we're asking for something new.
"People honestly are just amazed that it's got to this, a solution has to be found."
The property has now been listed for sale.
Pedestrians must now either climb the stairs to the main road or clamber around the rocks to rejoin the walkway. Photo: RNZ / Louise Ternouth
The real estate advertisement suggests it could be purchased by someone keen to restore public access to the walkway, by donating the land back.
Van Tonder said she hoped that was the case.
"Our aspirational hope is there is someone else who understands the complexities of the property and is willing to either open up the property... or come and meet with us and discuss opportunities to secure access and easement."
Listing agent Andrew Dorreen said buyers needed to take the heritage listing into account.
"It is quite restrictive. It would prevent you from removing the dwelling altogether. There's limitations around the exterior sort of appearance of it, and what you can do."
Many walkers on the beach track said they were hoping a potential buyer would restore access for the community once again.
One said they would need to be a "benevolent person" for that to happen.
"I think they would be celebrated within the community into eternity if they did that."
The property will be on the market until 24 May unless sold prior.
