FEBRUARY
HUI-TANGURU 2024
Park Closed – but not to all by Ann Packer
At a time when wildfires are raging in Canterbur y and t have occurred so far in our region, the twin Parangarahu Lakes plus Baring Head have been closed due to fire risk – and the road from Burdan’s Gate to Pencarrow is temporarily closed to keep This sign appeared soon after the the public safe, road was closed. says Greater Wellington Regional Council's (GWRC) eastern parks team leader Ricky Clarkson. “Ground conditions at Parangarahu Lakes had changed faster than expected and a wildfire could quickly ignite and become uncontrollable.” Mr Clarkson says Hutt City Council made the decision, as the road controlling authority, to temporarily close Pencarrow Coast Road from Burdan’s Gate. He says Park stakeholders were advised as soon as possible once both decisions were made. Not David Woulfe, it seems. In spite of reassurances he would be notified should such a move be taken, the first the owner of
cycle rental company Wildfinder heard of it from either council, he said on Facebook, was when one of their guests was turned away by GWRC. The decision to close East Harbour Regional Park on 13 February has caused an uproar on t he E astb our ne Community Facebook The official sign warning people not to enter. page, with nearly 100 replies to Mr Woulfe’s original post and another Even evacuating to a beach exposes people to slew following his video of tourist buses passing potential harm from smoke inhalation. The Eastbourne community is also extremely Wildfinder’s Burdan’s Gate kiosk. Mr Woulfe said that while the ban will vulnerable if a fire spread in their direction.” Mr Clarkson says the councils understand impact a bunch of eastern bays businesses, including the ferries that transport visitors, Mr Woulfe’s frustration and recognise the he was upset at the way the decision was impact of both closure decisions. communicated, rather than whether it should “Our team will re-evaluate the fire risk have been made at all. He was to discuss the level this week, Hutt City Council will make a matter further with local councils this week. decision regarding the road accordingly and all The highly visible passage of tourist buses affected parties will be informed of any changes each day there are cruise ships in port has as soon as possible.” further fuelled locals’ outrage. Surely they bring *Mr Woulfe declined an interview request from many more people into the park? The Eastbourne Herald. Mr Clarkson says organised groups in buses * Matiu Somes Island is currently closed to using the road to access private property [such visitors while a new wharf is built. as Pencarrow Lodge] are still able to do so, “if they have a Health & Safety Plan and can show Did You Know...? they can evacuate quickly if required”. You can now click straight through to our He says the risk to pedestrians and cyclists is advertisers' websites and social media greater as it may take them longer to evacuate. pages; simply click on the ads in The ”Their ability to access more remote areas of Eastbourne Herald . Links in stories are the park also means it may be more difficult to also clickable. Give it a go! locate them in the event of a fast moving fire.