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Ōrākei Local Board votes to prohibt dogs from Madills Farm sports fields
At a meeting of the Ōrākei Local Board, a request is put forward by Auckland Council Parks staff to prohibit dogs from the sports surfaces at Madills Farm and Glover Park all times. At the time, the board voted to accept these recommendations pending public consultation.
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Wider plan announced
We find out this is not just affecting Madills Farm, when Auckland Council releases a plan to review and restrict dog access across 64 local parks, with public feedback open until 23 February 2025. With only 34 days to make submissions on this proposal, we had our work cut out for us.
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Dogs of Madills is launched
The dogsofmadills.nz website is initially launched as a repository of information: notifying people of the proposed dog ban and directing them towards the Council's Have Your Say submissions system.
A fundraising campaign is also launched and raises just over $2000, allowing us to run a small advertising campaign across social media, as well as print local signage and flyers. We believe high turnout is key to challenging the proposal, and so focus on reaching as many people as possible and helping them submit their own feedback. You can read our full transparency report on the campaign spend here.
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Presenting to the Ōrākei Local Board
An in-person "Have Your Say" feedback session is scheduled for members of the Ōrākei Local Board to hear directly from residents on the proposed changes. The expected number of attendees is so high it forces a last minute venue change to accommodate everyone. Many locals give impassioned speeches as to what Madills Farm means to them - anecdotally the number of speakers against the changes far outnumber those presenting in favour.
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Public submissions close
When public feedback closes, Ōrākei has by far the highest numbers of submissions of any local ward - almost double the next closest. Nearly a quarter of all people submitting on the Have Your Say platform made some comment on Madills – over 1,600 submissions in total. After all the comments are collated by Council staff, the numbers show the vast majority are in favour of maintaining dog access at Madills - 84% for with only 14% against (2% undecided or didn't know).
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The decision
On Thursday 17 April, just before Easter Weekend, the Ōrākei Local Board meets to deliberate on vote on whether to enact the proposed changes and enforce a dog ban at Madills Farm. Facing overwhelming public opposition and making particular note of the passionate oral submissions, the Board votes unanimously to reject the proposal and maintain the status quo - keeping Madills Farm as a shared space that can be used and enjoyed by all.