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South Titirangi tracks to be upgraded and reopened South Titirangi residents and walkers say ‘OK I’ll just be patient and wait a bit may be getting their shortcuts back, longer’,” she said. with plans in place to upgrade and Not all of the tracks and parks in the reopen several bush tracks. area will be upgraded however. Mahoe The Waitākere Ranges Local Board Track, Wood Bay Reserve and three has allocated funds to upgrade tracks others were assessed to have either in 11 local parks which were closed too many sick kauri or very poor track earlier this year to stop the spread surfaces, with the cost to upgrade too of kauri dieback. Bill Haresnape Walk high. The local board has recommended and Arama and Opou Reserves are just closing these indefinitely based on three of the areas that the local board community consultation and available has recommended upgrading with funding. new boardwalks, stairs and surfaces Waitākere Ranges Local Board Chair to make them compliant with national Greg Presland said other than some kauri-safe standards. feedback on the Titirangi War Memorial The recommendations follow several Bill Haresnape Walk and 10 others, are to be upgraded and Track, which will be closed indefinitely rounds of consultation earlier this year, reopened within the next two years. Photo by Michael Andrew. pending further consultation, locals when the local board and Auckland Council kauri dieback team engaged seemed happy with the decisions and reasons to close certain tracks. with community members to assess which tracks were viable options. He said the priority would be upgrading Bill Haresnape Walk and Vicki Sargisson of the South Titirangi Neighbourhood Network said Paturoa Way, which are forecast for completion by June 2020 and the consultation was very inclusive and factored in the needs of the December 2019 respectively, subject to weather conditions and community. contractor availability. “I do think council and the kauri team have bent over backwards to Vicki Sargisson said this was a good decision, as both tracks are try and consult openly with the community and they’ve listened to popular thoroughfares used by school children and other residents. what’s been said,” she says. “Of course the test will be in what the outcomes are and ultimately With approval and kauri hygiene training from the council, the STNN how long this all takes to happen,” she said. has continued to maintain some of the closed tracks and carry out Upgrades on some of the other tracks such as Eric Leigh Hunt Track conservation work. require resource consent and Estimated Recommendation Estimated Cost Vicki said upgrading and Park/Track therefore have a longer time Completion Date opening the tracks would Wood Bay Reserve frame. Indefinite Closure $20,000 Nov-19 make it much easier for the Mahoe Walk One of the challenges Indefinite closure $20,000 Nov-19 community to get in and Opou Reserve is to find contractors who Upgrade and Reopen $90,000 Dec-19 continue battling the invasive Bill Haresnape walk are trained in kauri hygiene Upgrade and Reopen $120,000 Jun-20 weeds and pests. protocol, so they can work Okewa Reserve Indefinite Closure $20,000 Nov-19 She said it was a sensible Tinopai/ Eric Leigh Hunt around the trees without Upgrade and Reopen $244,000 Mar-21 decision as she had seen Paturoa Way/ Tinopai Walk: spreading the disease. Upgrade and Reopen $133,000 Dec-19 Upgrade and Reopen $78,000 Mar-21 people continue to use Arama Reserve Naturally this can delay the Partial Upgrade and Reopen 128,000 Jun-20 the tracks despite their Rahui Kahika Reserve completion of the projects. Indefinite Closure $20,000 Nov-19 closed status. She hoped Titirangi War Memorial However, Vicki said that $103,000 Dec-19 that communicating the Henderson Valley Scenic Reserve Upgrade and Reopen anyone who cannot wait that Upgrade and Reopen $36,000 Jun-20 track upgrade plans to the Siebel Scenic Reserve long to get back in the bush Upgrade and Reopen $70,000 Jun-20 community might encourage Arapito Plantation can get in contact with STNN Upgrade and Reopen $90,000 Mar-21 people to wait until they’re Kaurimu Park and get access to the walks Warner Park Upgrade and Reopen $50,000 Mar-20 ready to be used. on one of their conservation Indefinite Closure $20,000 Nov-19 “I think if people can see a Waitoru Reserve working bees. light at the end of the tunnel Waitākere Ranges Local Board track recommendations, subject to further – Mick Andrew they’re much more likely to consultation, weather and contractor availability.
Your Local MPs Hon Carmel Sepuloni
Dr Deborah Russell
Kelston Electorate Office
New Lynn Electorate Office
MP for Kelston
200C West Coast Road, Glen Eden 09 818 4131 kelston.eo@parliament.govt.nz
MP for New Lynn
1885 Great North Rd, Avondale 09 820 6245 newlynnmp@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Carmel Sepuloni MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
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The Fringe NOVEMBER 2019
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