MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Beach access limited for new carparkBY JULIA WADE
The direct road to one of Mangawhai’s stunning surf beaches will be temporally blocked and foot access rerouted as progress continues on a coastline development. David Lewis, a spokesperson in association with developers of the Te Arai site project, Te Arai North Ltd (TANL), says work along Pacific Road has commenced. “We just wanted to give the community a heads up of the construction work on the new car park. During the works, vehicle access to the existing beachside car park will be closed off for approximately a week,” he says. “I understand sometimes residents assume their access is being cut, but that’s not the case here.” The development has attracted controversy and protest from local residents and community groups since it began, including a highly-emotional meeting in March 2016 where TANL proposed to scrap the current car park and replace it with a larger area 400 metres from the beach. Although protection of the sensitive shoreline, sand dunes and bird life were the official reasons given for the relocation of the parking area, protesters believed the motive lay more with an attempt to privatise the beach for the privileged few who could afford to live in the development’s proposed new housing area. After community outrage and council mediation the proposal did a three-point turn in June 2017, and the original carpark was left in the plans with TANL having consent to install an additional public carpark. During the construction period, visitors will be able to use the new car park and access the beach through a temporary pedestrian path created by TANL. Once the work has been completed, the area will be landscaped with native plants. “We hope this heads off any concerns,” Lewis says. “TANL is looking forward to finally completing construction and rehabilitation works in this area, ensuring continued public use and enjoyment of the beach access.” Visitors to Te Arai will have a bit more of a hike to get to the popular beach but only for a week while construction of the new carpark gets underway. |
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