Boat ramp redesign to ease squeeze

 

At a recent council meeting, Commissioners have agreed to let the Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society develop additional reserve land in Alamar Crescent for a proposed boat ramp extension. 

In addition to the extension, an area of the esplanade reserve land adjacent to the existing boat ramp will also be developed as a vehicle turning area.

The proposed design will help reduce the level of congestion experienced at the boat ramp through peak season use while still allowing public use of the reserve area.

The council is currently consulting on the possibility of selling land that is surplus to requirements.

“Clearly this boat ramp and related land is a key part of the local infrastructure and is not for sale,” said commissioner Peter Winder. “Indeed, the Draft Annual Plan provides additional reserve contributions funding of $100,000 to help sort out the public areas from North Avenue, Alamar Crescent and Mangawhai Heads and some reconfiguration of the camp ground.”

The public will be invited to participate in design work for these improvements once the Annual Plan is finalised.

For a number of years the Mangawhai community has expressed concerns over the congestion that occurs in the area during peak seasonal use. It is considered that the proposal whilst not resolving this issue, will help reduce it.

In December 2011 Council had agreed, in principle, to a proposal by the Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club to modify the Alamar Crescent boat ramp, however approval expired in early 2012. Later that same year the management and project leadership to undertake the development was transferred from the Boating and Fishing Club to the Harbour Restoration Society.

EXTENSION: Congestion is a big issue around the Mangawhai boat ramp in peak times.
 

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