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[ Up ] [ Ohinemuri River Historic Walkway - Discussion Document ] [ Butler on Ohinemuri River Walkway ]
Ohinemuri River Walkway Development Proposal
by Trevor Butler, Frame Group
These notes follow a visit to parts of the proposed walkway
from Waihi town to the Victoria Battery site on 31st August
accompanied by Eric Lens and Ruth Ordish. Technical recommendations have been
made for the structures required on the walkway as well as more general comments
on the walkway proposal and issues relating to its development.
Walkway Concept
 | The proposed walkway has several of the elements that characterise a
successful community walkway project. These are:
 | Close proximity to a community. (Within walking distance of Waihi
township) |
| Strong heritage link to the community |
| Several visible heritage features along the route |
| A significant destination (The Victoria Battery site) |
| An alternative return journey option (Waikino railway) |
| Provides alternative short walk/picnic opportunities |
| Suitable in length for providing worthwhile/challenging exercise |
| Suitable for bicycles |
| Good scenery |
|
| I believe the walkway is likely to attract a number of groups including:
| Local residents who will use the walkway for recreational walking. |
| Local residents who use the walkway for more active biking/running. |
| Regional visitors who use the site as a one day outing in association
with the railway link from Waikino. |
| Coastal holiday visitors seek an alternative activity to the beach. |
| Out of town visitors from Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton who visit
the area for a weekend and walk the walkway as part of enjoyment of
other attractions in the area. |
| Passing tourists (NZ and international) who walk part or all of the
walkway whilst passing through the area. |
|
| There is potential for spin-off benefits to several local businesses
| The railway operator and café operator |
| Local service businesses (café’s etc) |
| Local accommodation and restaurants |
| Other local servicing businesses |
| Potential shuttle service and other walkway related businesses |
| Increased interest on walking and cycling in the local community
resulting in better community health. |
|
| The recent proposal by Transit NZ to encourage SH27 to be used as the main
Ak-Tauranga route will decrease through traffic on this section of SH2 and
make the area more attractive for recreation. Waihi will need to capitalise
on this to offset any adverse economic effects from the loss of passing
traffic. This should be seen as an opportunity. |
Development Programme
| I believe it is best to establish the walkway in stages along the proposed
route, constructing each stage to the proposed final standard. This has the
advantage of demonstrating to people the intended final standard and of
providing a quality experience from the outset. |
| An initial stage would be the construction of the Ohinemuri river bridge and
development of the walkway from the Waihi town to the area below the dam
(potential picnic spot). This would provide an immediate walking opportunity
for residents as well as access to the dam and start of the tramline and water
race (interpretation opportunities). It would serve as a promotion of the
future stages of the walkway. Other successful walkway developments (New
Plymouth coastal walkway) have typically developed from a shorter length of
good quality walkway which has been extended in stages. |
Structures
| The bridge structures necessary for the walkway should be constructed to the
width and standard that will ultimately be necessary for the future demand on
the walkway. This is preferable to constructing lesser structures with the
intention of upgrading later. |
| The following design parameters are recommended:
| Deck width 1.4m (enables safe use by cycles & pedestrians as well
as ATV and excavator maintenance vehicle access) |
| Type A barriers on bridges near Waihi end of walkway (battens at 100mm
spacing or netting) |
| Type B barriers on bridges along main walkway (horizontal rails with
maximum 300mm gap) |
|
| The following schedule outlines the required structures: |
|
Structure |
Recommendations |
|
Main Ohinemuri River Crossing (Upstream of Dam) |
Approx 55m span x 1.4m wide suspension bridge located on tramline
alignment. Timber pole towers approx 6m high embedded in augured holes.
Timber deck. Netting handrails. (Similar design to Waitawheta Filter House
bridge). Concrete deadman anchors. Liaison with Env Waikato will be
necessary to agree flood clearance levels. Preferred deck level is at that
of original tramline. Estimated cost: $67,000 |
|
Dam TL abutment viewing area |
Visitor protection from falling needed at obvious viewing point on dam
abutment. Solution is to lower soil level behind abutment so that existing
concrete provides protective barrier for viewing area. Provide boxed step
access. |
|
Water race bridge |
8.0m long x 1.4m wide single span timber bridge. Glulam timber beams
and timber (type A) barrier. Timber piles. Locate as high as possible to
achieve 1:8 max grade on approach from picnic area and 1:8 grade climb to
terrace. Estimated cost: $9,000 |
|
McKinney Rd End Bridge |
7.0m long x 1.4m wide single span glulam bridge on timber piles. Set
below terrace level and form approaches at 1:8 max grade. Alternative is
750 diam culvert on Ohinemuri river flood plain. Estimated cost: $7,500 |
|
Tramline # 1 Bridge (McGoughan) |
8.0m long x 1.4m wide glulam timber bridge over existing stone
abutments. Timber piles located in front of abutments to avoid disturbance
of the stonework. Type B barriers each side. Small retaining wall each
end. $8,500 |
|
Water Race bridge |
7.0m long x 1.4m wide glulam timber bridge spanning the tramline
cutting. Concrete pad foundations each side. Barriers sheathed with timber
to mimic the water race bridge. |
|
Tramline # 2 Bridge (Sing) |
Three span (2.5m, 7.0m, 2.5m) 12m long x 1.4m wide glulam timber bridge
positioned at tramway level. Timber pole piers and piles. Est cost:
$14,000 |
|
Tramline # 3 Bridge (Cummings) |
5.0m long x1.4m wide timber bridge set at tramline level. Pile
foundations. Est cost $4,800 |
|
Tramline # 4 Bridge |
Site not visited. Assumed 8m long x 1.4m wide glulam timber bridge with
piled foundations. Est cost: $8,500 |
| Some of the bridges will be located within the 100yr flood level of the
Ohinemuri river. There will be a minor risk of damage to these structures
during a severe storm event. It is not unusual for pedestrian bridges to be
located within 100yr flood zones, however this may require some negotiation
with Env. Waikato and the Hauraki DC. |
| The bridge decks would be designed to carry stock hoof loads (dairy cows
etc). This would not require any special strengthening, however if provision
for horses was required, extra deck strength would be necessary. |
| There is potential to standardise the bridge design to reduce design costs
and to facilitate pre-fabrication. |
Walkway Construction
| To facilitate the widest range of visitor capability, a formed benched
walkway with a 1.0m to 1.4m wide metalled surface is recommended, with a side
drain. This would enable all year round use by walkers in street shoes without
muddy sections detracting from the experience. |
| Where stock have access to the walkway, some hoof damage may occur but
provided the surface is compacted, this is likely to be minimal. |
| Fencing off and retirement of the marginal strip is the best option, but is
not essential, even though a formed metalled walkway may be provided. |
Funding
| There may be merit in setting the sights higher. It is not uncommon for
communities to be able to raise significant sums for such projects. (A group
in Taranaki has raised over $500k for the restoration of a 1927 road
suspension bridge). |
| If the standard is set high, the potential benefits to the community will be
more visible. |
| DoC may be able to be encouraged to fund fencing of the marginal strip or
purchase of sections of the marginal strip that are necessary to protect
important heritage features. |
| Funding is likely to be easier to achieve on a progressive basis if the
first section is developed and is demonstrated to be good quality and offer
good facilities. |
| Your budget should include allowance for development of the ancillary assets
that will mark the success of the project (eg good interpretive signage,
seating, picnic facilities etc.). |
I hope my visit and these notes are of benefit to you. I wish
you every success and congratulate your group on the enthusiasm and foresight.
Regards,
Trevor Butler
Consultant, Frame Group Ltd
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