Sheep enjoying one of the nicest views in Auckland will have to find a new home.
The woolly inhabitants of land on Paparata Road in Bombay have grazed and gazed while enjoying a fine view for so long that people assume it’s part of a farm.
But the land is actually Paparata Reserve, which Franklin Local Board wants to open to the public.
It recently gave direction to Auckland Council staff to end grazing, remove internal fences, and to install bollards on the Bombay side of the reserve, but keep the fence on other side, which borders a cul-de-sac.
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames says the reserve will then go into a mowing schedule and become open space for wider community use.
“We are aware there are mixed views in the community, especially when sheep have been an enduring country connection in an area that holds rural life dear.
“But not even Bombay can escape the growth of the city, with more housing being built, so it’s time a valuable council asset was handed back to the wider community.”
She says once the space is open, there will be engagement with the community around developing a ‘concept plan’, which sets out how the land might be developed in the future.
That engagement would include a proposed pathway, to be funded from the Franklin Paths Targeted Rate introduced this year, with the location and extent of the path defined in the plan after community feedback.
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