Mangawhai As A Sewage Pit

Residents of the beach resort of Mangawhai Heads are complaining about the lack of public toilets.

A resident of North Street, near the estuary, told Beth Stone of Outdoor Recreation NZ, of the lack of facilities for people using the boat ramp. The nearest facilities to the ramp are a good 800 metres away, part of the motor camp. People coming in from a days boating, or down from the Christian camp (over 1 km away), to launch kayaks and boats, are very often not in any position to ‘run to the loo’. They instead avail themselves of the hedges, trees and rocks in the vicinity.

This unsavoury practice puts them in bad odour with residents, who have a right to expect freedom from excrement in and around the area. The Kaipara District Council are not interested in building facilities or even in hiring portable toilets during the height of the season. The small town of Mangawhai has a permanent population of around 2200, which swells to 18,000 to 20,000 at holiday times.

The attitude of the Council in this has a direct impact on the health of residents and visitors alike. How long before a case of Hepatitis is linked back to the dirty conditions of this popular family spot? Will the council then stand up and take responsibility for their lack of action?

Outdoor Recreation NZ, who promote health through outdoor activities and recreations, are horrified to learn of this debacle. We challenge Kaipara District Council members and local politicians to provide a solution before the summer of 2006/2007.

Ends.

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