Hahei Residents & Ratepayers Association (HRRA) has made a submission to DOC to keep the Hahei Beach and Gems tone Bay tracks open through their Chair, John Jonassen. There is a great deal of local support for this including the Mercury Bay Business Association.
The Hahei Beach Track has enormous historical, cultural and educational significance to the Hahei Community. Some of the HRRA members have been walking this track since the 1970s in order to access Cathedral Cove and also Gemstone and Stingray Bays.
As recently as ten days ago, a number of members walked the track. It is important to note that since its closure, large numbers of people visitors and locals alike have continued to use the track. These members found that apart from one major slip near the bottom of the track, the track itself was in remarkably good condition. The infrastructure (steps and bridges) was carefully examined and also found to be in good condition – no damage or deterioration since all recent storm events (including Gabrielle). The HRRA acknowledges the longer- term land geotechnical risk along some of the cliff section of this track.
They are committed to dialogue with DOC that listen to her point of view as to why DOC would should keep these tracks open. The wider community is mindful that this area was a gift to the people of New Zealand by the Harsant family. DOC does have a responsibility to consult with the local people before any high-handed decisions are made regarding usage, charging and closures. DOC is aware that consultation and the good will of local people paramount to ongoing usage, access and availability of the track. This community is asking for wider support.
Proposals
This submission is proposed as a way forward for discussion with DOC.
1. That the track remains open and under DOC management with a bypass included to avoid the major slip. We have identified two possible ‘simple’ bypass routes.
2. That DOC retain the existing infrastructure until the alternative track route bypassing the cliff section of the track (possibly modified to better align with major slip bypass route), as originally proposed by DOC, is constructed.
3. Should DOC decide to continue with a ‘closure’, then that closure should be limited until funds become available to undertake the cliff bypass route and that DOC notify on-line and on site that the track is no longer maintained by DOC and that persons enter at their own risk.
4. That DOC agree to HRRA and the Hahei Reserves Group taking over the basic maintenance of the track including weed and pest control and that these groups fund and build the slip bypass steps. A simple MOA or MOU would be acceptable setting out the parties responsibilities etc. (After all ,this level of agreement s enough for Iran and the USA)
5. HRRA agree that access to Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay is difficult and proposes that DOC also notify that these tracks are no longer maintained by DOC and that visitors enter at their own risk.
6. That the proposal to remove asphalt on the main track is not proceeded with. We believe that the cost of removal will be significant and the expected improvements of storm water management will not be realized; that the track will be less ‘stable’ to walk on and that the access for emergency services harder to extract any patient.
7. We contend by removing DOC’s responsibility for maintenance and by retaining the asphalt on the main track, considerable savings would be made which could be utilised for other works.”
“We note the weight of the response objecting to the proposed closures, in particular th e community’s ‘Don’t close our Cathedral Cove tracks’ Petition (currently 1270+ signatures) and the Mercury Bay Business Association’s submission.” HRRA Chair
◾️Email: chair@haheiratepayers.co.nz. Ph: 021 610 021
Correction re last week’s article re’ Hahei speaks out on DOC access charging and keeping tracks open
The four areas being considered by central government for Access Charging for international visitors were listed as: Milford Sound, Tongaririo Crossing, Mount Taranaki, and Cathedral Cove
One correction needed – NOT Mount Taranaki but Aoraki, Mount Cook.
Editor
