Waihi Leader 18 May 2010

"Path to Ease Walkway Access Problems"

A 20 metre pathway will be formed across Hauraki District Council land at the southern end of Rosemont Road to clearly show the rightful public access there to Coffeys Walk, which runs on a legal "road" along the Ohinemuri riverbank to Wellington St.

The walk is part of the Waihi Walkways network which has its easternmost access in Barry St – but in Rosemont Road, walkers have been deterred or harassed by the owners of an adjacent property who object to the walkway, Waihi ward councillors said at their meeting last week.

Measures to impede access have allegedly ranged from verbal challenges to blocking the way with a sprinkler or parked car; and a number of people have sought police intervention.

Recently, a horse left to graze on the riverside land was impounded by the council. Its owners paid the relevant fine next day and recovered the animal; but council staff said that if similar offences recurred, the same action would be taken again.

After two years of failed attempts at conciliation, councillors voted that a metal access path be formed to mark the boundary between public and private land.

In addition, "Walkway" signs will be erected and the yellow no-parking lines already painted along the sides of the street will be extended around the end, subject to approval by roading engineers.

Waihi ward committee chairman Sel Baker advocated constructing a concrete footpath at an estimated cost of $1950.

However, other councillors agreed that a metal path with timber edging was more in keeping with the walkway, as well as being a quarter of the price.

Erecting a boundary fence across a property frontage wasn’t legally practical for the council although the property owners could exercise that right, said community services manager Gary Paterson.

Waihi District Walkways Inc. PO Box 241 Waihi New Zealand

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