Rotary Walkway To Cross Saint Kentigern College Coastline

A long awaited agreement allowing public access to private land bordering the Tamaki Estuary was signed last month between the Manukau City Council and the Saint Kentigern Trust Board.

As private land, access to the Saint Kentigern College foreshore has long been a missing link in the popular Rotary Walkway along the Tamaki Estuary, Pakuranga.

Discussions between the Council, the Trust Board and Auckland Regional Council took place over a number of years to determine a way in which public access could be provided while at the same time minimising the impact on Saint Kentigern College and the coastal environment.

The proposed solution is to build a 350 metre mudcrete (concrete with a local mud component) sea wall or shelf along the base of the coastal cliff. This would be augmented by a 100m land-based walkway on College land and another 100m walkway on esplanade reserve fronting part of the College land.

"There are a number of advantages to a wall-based walkway." says Dr Digby Whyte, Council's Parks Manager. "There is a clear separation of public and College activity, further erosion is prevented, walkway users retain close proximity to the sea along an easy grade and can view protected volcanic ignimbrite layers in the cliff."

The mudcrete material has a natural appearance and has wear characteristics similar to the papa rock shelf formations which are common to parts of the Manukau coastline. There would be associated planting and weed control to further enhance the walkway.

Manukau City Council will now seek a notified coastal consent from the Auckland Regional Council. This will provide an opportunity for public feedback.

Once a consent is granted it is anticipated that the walkway could be completed by the end of the year

"The signing of this agreement is a welcome milestone and I would like to acknowledge the contribution made by Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis, Saint Kentigern Trust Board Chair, Dr Bruce Goodfellow, the Pakuranga Community Board and Pakuranga Rotary Club, all of whom have worked together over a number of years to find a solution.

The estimated cost of the walkway is between $350,000 and $450,000. This will be funded by $400,000 set aside by the Pakuranga Community Board from their Maritime Recreation Fund and $25,000 from the Pakuranga Rotary Club in recognition of their Silver Anniversary. The agreement also includes a contribution by the Saint Kentigern Trust Board of 25% of the cost of the project up to a maximum contribution of $100,000.

"The completed walkway will be a magnificent recreational asset to the people of Manukau," says Dr Whyte.

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