September 21 2021
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The road to Waipoua’s future u by Andy Bryenton
The paving and sealing of Waipoua River Road are set to begin soon, with the project a step closer thanks to Kaipara District Council input and a $200,000 provisionally allocated to a project.
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At last week’s KDC externally funded projects meeting via digital media, delivery manager Joanne Reid confirmed the status of the project, with a total budget of $1.6 million, had moved from red to amber, indicating progress. Ms Reid informed elected councillors that discussions were being held with construction firm Fulton Hogan, the Department of Conservation and Te Roroa about ongoing maintenance of the roadway. The Department of Conservation had previously declined to act as principal to the contract, but the KDC had now agreed to fulfil this important role. The new road would see the route from the state highway, which traverses the forest, to the existing visitors centre sealed and paved, ushering in a new access point for the heritage kauri of Waipoua. There’s even a likelihood that the access way to Tāne Mahuta could be shifted, with revised access via the visitor centre itself, some nine kilometres away. “This news was welcomed by councillors and the mayor, Jason Smith after it was clarified following a question by councillor Peter Wethey. “Let’s get that traffic off the state highway and create a proper experience,” said Councillor Eryn Wilson-Collins. She also noted that a controlled entry point would help protect these taonga from kauri dieback disease. This is a significant project for the Kaipara, as the only way visitors will access these great trees is via the Kaipara,” agreed Dr Smith. The roading upgrade discussed at this meeting is the oldest of the remaining
POWER THROUGH POWER THROUGH MORE THIS MORESEASON THIS SEASON
Provincial Growth Fund projects within the Kaipara District. Its execution coincides with ongoing efforts by Te Roroa to combat kauri dieback and revitalise areas of the forest previously used for exotic logging. A central visitor’s hub, accessed by a paved road, and leading to well-maintained walking tracks, would serve as a tourist gateway, cultural centre, environmental centre and a means to prevent the spread of the dieback disease. Te Roroa’s efforts in this field have won the organisation awards in the past, and they work closely with biological scientists to explore the efficacy of possible mitigation techniques. The current access to Tāne Mahuta is via a short boardwalk from State Highway 12, as it traverses a winding path through the Waipoua Forest. p Access to Tāne Mahuta may change as access to the Coffee facilities and bathroom Waipoua Visitors Centre improves; Kaipara Mayor Jason amenities from this area would Smith calls this a significant project for the district likely be moved if access to the historically significant tree was altered. peak tourist season, with pedestrians While the distance from the visitors centre traversing a busy and difficult roadway. It, as it currently stands and the site of Tāne too, would be rectified by moving parking Mahuta is not inconsiderable, a loop track access and potentially even tour coach could also potentially take in other stands access to a separate site. Work on the paving of the Waipoua of very impressive mature Kauri and other River Road is slated to begin this summer natural treasures. Currently, the build-up of parked after Covid related delays pushed back traffic on the blind corner approaching many of the region’s cornerstone Tāne Mahuta can constitute a hazard in roading projects. ¢
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