The story for "ARDMORE"

**Buddy L** · 5th February 2007, 10:25

Just recived and Email from John Cobb, about the story so far.
Its a realy shame, be watching the telly at 7pm on channel 1 for more of the same but with pictures and videos.

"ITS CRUNCHTIME"

"Hi everyone, our meeting with the Council Managers and their Lawyers didn't
go particularly well. They were adamant that we don't have a consent, that
we have been operating illegally for the last 23 years and they didn't
really want to argue the case with our Lawyers.

They also made the point that if we go to the Environment Court and prove
them wrong, that they will not renew our lease and furthermore that if we
continue talking to the media about the issue that they will not renew the
lease.

I think this is the point where they apply as much pressure as possible and
hope we fold. Councilor Des Heard told us that the Mayor believes we will
not be able to afford Bell Gully and will end up going back to the hearings
process. The Mayor has also emailed one of our members and said that he
believes that I am acting alone in withdrawing the consent application on
the advice of Bell Gully.

We had a long meeting with the Mayor last Wednesday and I said I would be
happy to call a public meeting of all the riders and let them vote
individually on our course of action, but the Mayor said that Bell Gully
would just turn up and convince everyone to go to court.

Maurice Whitham was one of the club representatives at the meeting and he
pointed out that the Council shouldn't be threatening us with the lease if
all we are wanting to do is go to court to get the legal issues clarified.
Norm Cobb presented a strong argument for our existing consent and we all
agreed that what everyone wants, is to get the issues resolved.

Norm and Maurice have invited the Mayor down to the track so he can see
where the neighbors are. We also agreed that senior lawyers from Phillip Fox
(representing the Council) and Bell Gully (representing the riders) should
try to work out a legal solution.

In the meantime, we have filed our appeal with the Environment Court and
asked for a stay so we can reopen the track until it goes to court.

TV1 filmed interviews with Councilor Des Heard, Blake Gillard, Maurice
Whitham, Tony Cooksley, Chase Smith, Norm and myself over the long
Anniversary Weekend for Closeup to be shown on this Monday night at 7.00.
Michael Holland from TV1 believes that media exposure often helps resolve
these situations.

I want to thank everyone for getting stuck in and supporting us, we have
come a long way in the last 25 years - the first club in NZ to provide a big
prepped up, track watered and powerharrowed track every weekend, the only
fully prepped track to train on in Auckland on Wednesdays, the home of the
biggest Schools MX in NZ and the countries longest running series of 30
minute (Wildman) motos. I am proud have what we have done and I can honestly
say that the people I have met and the friends I have made at Ardmore over
the years have made it all worthwhile.

best regards

John Cobb"

**Hellraiser** · 5th February 2007, 15:57

Hmmmmm i think a protest ride or 2 is in order up and down Ardmore Quarry road at the weee hours of the morning, the bloody neighbours can't moan about us using the roads.

**arj127** · 5th February 2007, 18:33

that the council cannot just supply some land somewhere else instead of being pigheaded? As well as revenue for the current land, the Ardmore track also gives business to any motorcycle shop in the area.
It wouldn't bother me to drive an extra 1/2 hr or so to go to a track where there are no neighbours to bother. Yes tons of Johns hard work would go out the door, but most of the Ardmore members are more than willing to help do track work.
I really do hope that Hampton Downs includes a mx track, Auckland really needs to see some serious Supercross and motocross meetings.
Keep up the good work John and team, its much appreciated.

**pete376403** · 5th February 2007, 20:31

Pity the CloseUp interviewer did not ask the council some hard questions like "what sparked your review of the situation" and "has a developer made an offer for the land conditional on the counci removing the current lessees?"

I can't believe the neighbours (a rifle range) have been complaining about the noise...

**charles23** · 5th February 2007, 20:33

I watched with interested the news item on Close Up, the Mayor is a tosser!!!! pig headed and arogant, he doesn't appear to be someone that you can reason with. It is an option to allow this venue to close down.

**GR81** · 10th February 2007, 15:52

for those who missed close up... here it is now...

http://gr81.orcon.net.nz/misc/CloseUpArdmore.wmv

**faithrider** · 10th February 2007, 16:21

cheers for the clip GR81 I didnt get to see it as was out.
If this is the start of trying to close down tracks there won't be many tracks left. Its a real shame there aint anywhere on the North Shore to ride either.