Mahurangimatters 1 July 2011 | 3
Logging start sparks road safety concerns Residents of Govan Wilson and Matakana Valley roads are concerned about potential impacts of logging in the area, including road safety and stability, after an Anniversary Weekend slip closed part of Matakana Valley Road for seven weeks. Govan Wilson Road resident Dr Rodney Wilson says the event made residents aware of the delicate state of the roads and what happens if you get cut off. Other concerns raised by residents’ group REPOLE, include the dangers of meeting large logging trucks on the narrow, windy, unsealed road which services around 60 residential dwellings. “Residents understand the reality that the logging needs to happen; all we want is to be sure that we’re safe using the road and that the road itself is strong enough,” he says. Rayonier-Matariki Forests will harvest approximately 16,000 tonnes of trees from the Craddock Block, accessed off Govan Wilson Road, from July. General manager support Ange Vivian says the process is expected to take four to six months and involve six to 10 truckloads Govan Wilson Rd resident Dr Rodney Wilson hopes Auckland Council will per day being removed on weekdays adequately maintain the road throughout the lengthy logging operations. between 6am and 6pm. She says the radios have also been issued to school bus Dr Wilson also raised concerns company will aim to avoid working on drivers to enable direct communication about the suitability of logging truck Saturdays but REPOLE will be advised with logging truck drivers and truck exit points, including the potential in advance if it is necessary. traffic will be minimised during school impacts on Matakana Village and the poor condition of the unsealed section The wood is destined for local bus movement times. sawmills and export through Marsden Dr Wilson says while residents are of Matakana Valley Road north - a key Point and trucks will travel both north appreciative of the recent work, it could tourist route regularly shared by locals, through via Whangaripo Valley and easily be taken further with additional quarry trucks and traffic diverted south, accessing SH1 at Warkworth widening and blind spot mirrors. from State Highway One when Dome via Matakana on Council-approved However, it’s most important that the Valley Rd was closed. routes. Once replanted, the block will road be suitably maintained throughout Auckland Transport communications not be harvested for another 28 years. the logging, including dust suppression manager, Sharon Hunter said logging truck drivers would have a choice of To address safety issues, Auckland measures in summer months. Transport has implemented a speed “Numerous residents have already exiting at both ends of Matakana Valley limit of 30kph on Govan Wilson Rd, suffered punctures from the sharp Road, but it was expected that most installed mirrors on some blind bends, metal, it’s a residential road and the would do so from the Whangaripo end. constructed passing bays, widened the surface should be strong enough for Dr Wilson said that sealing the road on bends and removed vegetation a logging truck but kind enough for remainder of Matakana Valley Road that could obscure vision. Two-way lightweight vehicles as well.” should be given top priority.
Corry land languishes
A portion of the Corry Block in Wellsford, designated for sale by the former Rodney District Council, is not currently being marketed. Rodney purchased the Corry farm more than six years ago to extend the recreational reserve and provide for industrial expansion. However, the venture continually ran-up against difficulties from Transit NZ in securing access off State Highway One. Rodney changed sections of the block last year to accommodate the possible realignment of SH1 to the east of the Wellsford, as well as recreation reserve and local reserve designations. The remainder of the land of about 34.5 hectares was earmarked for sale. An Auckland Council spokesperson says Council is awaiting the completion of surveying and provision of a new title. The survey and resource consent is expected to take another three months.
Briefs Retirement consent lodged
A resource consent for three retirement apartment blocks and 10 retail shops, behind the Warkworth Inn in Queen Street, has been lodged with Auckland Council. Planner Mark Benjamin, acting for the developers The Oaks On Neville, says the non-complying application was likely to be notified sometime in the next few weeks. It would be open for submissions for 20 working days. Meanwhile, company director Chris Murphy says there has been keen interest in the development, with a steady stream of people viewing the model located at the offices of Webster, Malcolm & Kilpatrick, Lawlink House, in Neville Street. He says feedback has generally been positive, with a number of elderly residents interested in the end product.
Warkworth leases negotiated
It could still be several months before the doors open on any new business in the former Mitre 10 building in Warkworth. Three leases are being negotiated – the larger one for just over 500sqm is being handled by the owner, and the two smaller spaces of 100sqm and 60sqm by letting agent Grant Unsworth, on behalf of the Caithness family. Mr Unsworth says a reconfiguration of the site into two large spaces was proposed, but failed to find support. An offer has been made on the 100sqm space and building work is expected to be finished in “two to three months”. “We have not been party to negotiations regarding the larger space, but we understand that negotiations on the lease of that space are also nearing completion.
Skate zone update
The second skatebowl at the Mangawhai Activity Zone is nearing completion and work to form the flat areas around the bowls, to link them together, is continuing. The bike track is almost fully pegged and marked out, and is expected to open to the general public before the end of the year. A community working bee will be held on site on Sunday, July 2, starting at 1pm. Help to plant, weed and generally tidy the area would be greatly appreciated. Info: www.mangawhaiactivityzone.co.nz
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