Beating the feet from Whitianga Wharf through to Brophy's Beach

Did you know it's approximately 3.5km from the Whitianga Wharf through to Stormont Lane at the end of Brophy's Beach? And soon you'll be able to run, walk or bike the entire length by footpath, as the final two sections are completed from Brophy's Beach to Stormont Lane and from the roundabout at the corner of Albert St down to the Whitianga Wharf.

"The footpath provides a visual link spanning the entire beachfront and hopefully gives everyone inspiration to use as a fitness trail, or just to wander along and enjoy the stunning views of the Mercury Bay," says Mercury Bay Community Board Chair Paul Kelly.

The completion of the footpath also now allows for a pedestrian "zebra" crossing to be built between the Buffalo Beach toilets, across to the Continuing Care Rest Home.

Over the past few years the Mercury Bay Community Board has been working behind the scenes with NZTA and Council's Roading team to address traffic and pedestrian safety along this particular section of road. This included a peak traffic flow survey over summer (which measured at up to 3500 vehicles per day) and assessing the section of road in our 2014/15 Accessibility Audit.

"We know this area is well used by the public, many with prams or on bikes, as well as wheelchair and mobility scooter users," says Mr Kelly. "But until we were able to complete the footpath along both sides of Buffalo Beach, as well as resolve car parking and vehicle access arrangements with Oceania, who own Continuing Care, the installation of a pedestrian crossing couldn't be initiated," he says.

The cost to install the zebra crossing is approximately $16,000 and includes lighting, signage and kerb cut downs.
Meanwhile another pedestrian "refuge" is being installed shortly at the roundabout at the end of Buffalo Beach, which will also allow for safer crossing at the roundabout across to the Albert St.

Board supports St John building at Hahei

A request by St John Hahei to lease land to then establish an operating base on the Kotare Reserve at Pa Rd is being supported by the Community Board.

St John are proposing a staged approach, with Stage One being the construction of a garage and Stage Two, the construction of a building which can accommodate ambulance officers working over the summer months.

St John Ambulance’s current station in Hahei is a residential property which has been leased for the last few years but is now on the market, which means the town’s volunteers need to find a new base. The plan is for St John to lease the land at Pa Rd from our Council.

The Community Board has recommended Council staff now begin work to resolve issues relating to the Reserve Act and Resource Management Act so further progress can be made. A final plan for the base will be presented back to the Community Board.

Meanwhile St John has set up a Givealittle Page to receive donations to help towards the build.

Sponsorship plans at the Mercury Bay Multi Sport Park

An interim Mercury Bay Sports Park Sponsorship Policy has been adopted which allows for sponsorship signage to be used at the Mercury Bay Multi Sport Park. Signage can be no bigger than 2.4mx1.2m and is to be located in the immediate area where each sporting code is based within the Sports Park.

Signs will be reviewed annually with the Community Board retaining the right to terminate any approval. The Board has also approved an application from the Mercury Bay Netball Centre to have a maximum of 5 sponsorship signs around the netball courts.

It costs $34,000 a year for Council to maintain the netball courts alone - and this comes out of ratepayer funding. "It’s good to see the netball courts being used regularly and we thank the Mercury Bay Netball Club for being early supporters of the facility since it opened - and to see that it is now growing in use with other codes," says Mercury Bay Community Board Chair Paul Kelly.

Heritage Assistance Fund for Mercury Bay

The Mercury Bay Museum is one of the beneficiaries of the Board's Heritage Assistance Fund. The Board's approved $5000 to the Museum to help with the reproduction of the “Saltspray and Sawdust” book, which is a history of the Mercury Bay. Another $5050 has been approved to help the Mercury Bay Forest and Bird Society with restoration works at Taputapuatea Spit.

ENDS

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