Congestion compromises safety

The Northland Regional Council is taking a closer look at the Mangawhai Estuary with the idea of committing additional resources to the area, particularly during summer.

Social media sites have been alive with chatter about the number of people with boats and water toys who don’t appear to have any understanding of basic water safety rules.

Regional harbourmaster Jim Lyle says there were six patrols scheduled over the Christmas and New Year period up until the end of January.

“Poor weather over the past three weeks has meant a number of patrols – not just at Mangawhai – were cancelled,” he says. “Council had a vessel patrolling in Mangawhai on December 24 and 26, and again on December 31.

“We also have two harbour wardens who respond to incidents locally.”

Lyle says the patrols found that many people were not complying with the fiveknot rules, as well as ‘on water’ rules in general.

“The vast majority of people were wearing personal flotation devices, but the number and mix of craft and water users concentrated into a small area is a problem.”

Lyle says at present, patrols are managed over the summer period by the Whangareibased harbourmaster’s team of three, who also cover Whangarei, Tutukaka, Ngunguru, the Whangaruru east coast area and Kai Iwi Lakes. The team also has to deal with incidents like boats dragging and sinking.

“Mangawhai has grown significantly in recent years and with this development has come increased activity and competing interests on the water. We recognise Mangawhai is a congested space and are constantly looking at ways we can maintain a safe environment for all users within the existing budget we operate under.”

Lyle says video evidence that can identity anyone committing an offence will be followed through by Council. Associated personal water craft registration numbers or vehicle /trailer registration numbers are required if possible.

Walk this way for Mangawhai weekend

Bookings are open for the first Mangawhai Walking Weekend since 2021, following the annual event’s covid curtailment last year. New walks over March 18 and 19 include the Daring Venture, a short walk that shares some of the secrets of the 160-year-old schooner at Mangawhai Museum, and the Jurassic Walk, which explores an ancient limestone karst landscape inland from Waipu. Other walks focus on foraging, farming, food, history, native bush, the harbour area and Mangawhai’s distinctive distal sandspit. There are 14 walks altogether, with terrain ranging from easy to difficult, all focusing on the sharing of local knowledge. Organisers promise something for everyone and say bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Full details and bookings can be found at www.mangawhaiwalking.co.nz

On the road to completion – What’s coming up

You may recall in our last update we said the team would be back in the new year to complete the final layer of road surfacing at both ends of the project. First up is the Southern Connection which means there will be extended road closures at the Johnstone Hill Tunnels after Waitangi weekend, as well as the likelihood of additional road layout changes.

Overnight closures are planned in both directions during February and March 2023 to complete the final road surfacing, chip sealing, barrier installation, line marking and signage.

Northbound SH1 closures between Silverdale to Johnstones Hill Tunnels (JHT). Detours will be in place via Hibiscus Coast Highway, from 9pm to 5am.

• Sunday 12 to Thursday 16 February

• Sunday 19 to Thursday 23 February

• Sunday 26 February to Thursday 2 March

• Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 March

While the northbound closure is in place, traffic will detour along Hibiscus Coast Highway (HCH). A stop/go operation will be in place on HCH to manage traffic safely.

Southbound SH1 closure between Pūhoi to the JHT. Detours will be in place via Hibiscus Coast Highway, from 9pm to 5am.

• Wednesday 15 February and Thursday 16 February

• Sunday 19 to Thursday 23 February

• Sunday 26 February to Thursday 2 March

• Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 March

• Sunday 12 to Thursday 16 March

Over Dimension vehicles will be assisted through the site via our traffic management team. Heavy vehicles are advised to take State Highway 16. These works are coordinated alongside closures at Dome Valley for maintenance as both teams are once again working together to ensure that we capitalise on these closures and get as much work done as possible with the least possible disruption.

Additional to these night-time road closures, there may be additional road layout changes needed in the south to complete the final tie-in works around the JHT. We will update you once we have more information.

While all efforts have been made to limit disruption to traffic flows, we encourage you to plan your journey over this time and check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before heading out https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/

We appreciate your patience as we work to complete the new motorway. These construction works connecting with the Northern Gateway and SH1 are part of the final stages before the new motorway can be opened. While this will no doubt impact travel, completion of these works takes us closer to opening the new motorway as soon as possible and we are all looking forward to enjoying a safer, more robust and reliable road with more consistent travel times.

For more information and regular updates, please visit our website info@ nx2group.com or follow our Facebook page @aratuhonopuhoitowarkworth.

Nga mihi

Robert Jones – Project Director

For more information, call the NX2 team on: 24/7 Freephone: 0508 P2WK INFO (0508 7295 4636)

Email: info@nx2group.com

Facebook: Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth Web: nx2group.com