Dear Whangarei District Council,

Thank you for forwarding a copy of your property policy. Like you say this does not specifically address Whananaki and Woolleys Bay leases on unformed road reserves and does not appear to address this issue in any substantive way.
It is my understanding in the early 1990s the WDC policy was to remove the baches from the unformed roads. Families who had had those properties were given a 'lease' of 20 years (I had thought it was 30), this was to be the final lease and all parties understood this. This gave the families time to enjoy and prepare. This removal policy was in line with central government policies to remove baches from public land, many having now been removed - ie., DoC land at Whangaruru.
Given that the property policy does not deal with this issue specifically can you please provide the Council's decision to grant further 10 year leases and the report that identifies the change to the earlier policy direction.
Can you please provide the statutory authority giving Council the power to enter into a lease over road reserves.

Yours faithfully,

Christine Woods