Update on Blue Spring Re-opening
South Waikato District Council announced today that a partial re-opening of the Blue Spring / Te Waihou Walkway will take place by the end of November at the Leslie Road end.
Nick Murphy, Council’s Executive Manager Delivery stated, “This marks the first phase of our efforts to restore full access to this cherished natural site. Further construction work is ongoing on the Whites’ Road end of the Walkway where Council is strengthening the existing boardwalk. We anticipate that these efforts will be fully completed by February next year, allowing for the entire Walkway to re-open.”
“We are disappointed that Te Waihou Walkway won’t be fully opened as we had earlier hoped, however during the construction period, it was discovered that not all tasks could be completed concurrently. To maximise efficiencies and reduce costs associated with stopping and starting work, we have decided to complete the remaining tasks while the equipment is still on site.”
Work will be completed in a three-stage approach, with stage one being the re-opening of the Leslie Road entrance to the Blue Spring. Stage two would be the partial re-opening of the Whites Road entrance to the track, and stage three being the full re-opening of the track from both ends by February next year.
Murphy also stated that, through the Long Term Plan, the Council had budgeted to spend $2.1 million for track renewal at Te Waihou over the first three years. “Council intends carrying out all the necessary work now and once completed, we would have caught up on the outstanding maintenance of many years. Barring unforeseen events, it shouldn’t need shutting for the foreseeable future.”
“We could open the track fully now, but it wouldn’t be right knowing that within the next year or two we would have to close again and get another contractor on site and pay site establishment. There is also a risk of the structure failing while visitors are using the track. These remedial works will proactively ensure the safety of visitors. And by doing the job properly now will bring long-term benefits to us all and guarantee the safety of visitors into the future,” he concluded.
The carpark on Whites Road is unaffected. Whites Road is a state highway, and the carpark is a designated rest area, managed by Waka Kotahi as the road controlling authority. The rest area will remain open, allowing people to stop and use the rest area as intended.
ENDS Words: 420
