No "quick fix" for Pōhara pathway

Findings from the recent online public survey on the controversial Pōhara cycleway were shared and discussed at a meeting last Sunday. Around 50 people, including Tasman District Council CEO Janine Dowding and councillor Celia Butler attended what survey co-ordinator Bernie Kelly described as a respectful forum. It was clear, however, that there will be no quick fix of the pathway problem.

Survey findings

Within 48 hours of opening on Monday 26 June, the online survey had received more than 500 returns which, on analysis, revealed a number of key messages, most notably the community’s overwhelming opposition to TDC’s plan and the associated loss of car parking, as well as a perceived lack of council consultation and the absence of support from local elected representatives.

Bernie’s report which includes charts, tables and hundreds of respondents’ comments, runs to 91 pages, but the following provides a summary of the findings.

TDC proposed pathway the campground fence to accommodate parking and shared pathway (16%); Only 4% of respondents chose the TDC plan.

Of the 529 respondents, two-thirds are Golden Bay residents, and almost half are regular cyclists. While 322 individuals reported they had used the Tākaka-Pōhara shared pathway and a similar number indicating that it was a good idea, there was little support expressed for TDC’s planned extension through Pōhara (see Table 1).

As for the best location for a shared pathway, the most popular option (39%) was to route it along foreshore reserve on beach side of campground, followed by using the existing path through campground (25%). Only 5% supported TDC’s proposed plan.

Council engagement

It wasn’t just the outcome of the pathway project that was of concern to respondents, but also the process, specifically the apparent lack of community engagement. Feedback from the survey revealed a perceived lack of consultation by council and its elected representatives (see Table 2).

The planned route of the pathway and its impact on local businesses were respondents’ main concerns, along with loss of parking for campground users. There were numerous comments made regarding safety implications, with the following statement a typical example: “Safety for shared pathway users as they could be fast electric bikes and scooters with people who walk, stroll, talk outside shops and campgrounds in holiday mode.”

Safety concerns were also linked to the displacement of car parking, with one respondent stating: “Loss of car parking will lead to dangerous side street as parking displaced, visitors finding Pōhara less attractive. “All of the loss of parking will mean the residential streets will become parking and it will become dangerous and difficult to get out of properties with cars and boats. Not to mention how many times driveways will be parked over.”

Alternative options

A total of 414 (87%) respondents indicated that the proposed changes to car parking on Abel Tasman Drive were unnecessary. Asked about their preferred solution, the most popular option (40%) was to maintain the status quo but apply a lower speed limit through Pōhara during peak season, followed by moving

Asked to rate TDC community consultation and local councillor representation on a 5-point scale, responses indicated overall scores of 1.8 and 2.0 respectively.

A way forward?

Speaking to The GB Weekly on Monday, Bernie said Janine had listened to listen to the community and responded to their questions. “She was open and honest with her answers and shared her views… She can also take away what she learned from the meeting.”

On the central issue of car parking, Bernie indicated, while there were “options to explore”, there was currently “no resolution for parking in front of the [Pōhara] store”.

Regarding the new pathway, Bernie explained that construction was due to start shortly, with council seeing an opportunity to combine the work with the installation of pipework infrastructure along Abel Tasman Drive. Given the tight schedule, and considering there was no “quick fix”, Bernie suggested that a community-led initiative could provide a way forward. “If the community wants a shared path on the foreshore, that could be explored, but it’s a long term solution.”

He believes the current debacle could have been avoided if a better process had been followed. “There wasn’t enough early engagement; the community is disappointed with consultation and representation.”

As for the immediate future, Bernie said it was now up to TDC to decide what happens. “Whether there’s any room to change the plans, I don’t know.”