Coastal track reopening delayed by timber supplies

A shortage of maritime-grade timber piles has delayed the start of repairs to a wooden boardwalk and bridge that forms part of a popular coastal walking track between Ōpua and Paihia.

The council closed the structure for safety reasons just before Christmas after an engineer’s report confirmed that rot and marine worms had seriously weakened existing support piles. The boardwalk and bridge span a tidal inlet and grove of mangroves near the entrance to the Paihia Top 10 Holiday Park off State Highway 10.

Andy Finch, General Manager – Infrastructure and Asset Management says the council had planned to reopen the structure by the end of September, but contractors had not anticipated a 16 to 18-week delay in obtaining H6 treated timber.

“Long lead times are affecting all maritime-grade timbers, which is being cut and treated to order. For us, the biggest impact is the delay in obtaining H6 piles. We cannot begin work until these are delivered. We are told that will now be in first week of November.”

News of the delay will be disappointing for Paihia and Ōpua residents. The coastal track is the only pedestrian link between the communities and is very popular among walkers. It also forms part of the national Te Araroa Trail that links Cape Reinga to Bluff.

“I know this will be extremely frustrating for residents and I want to apologise for the delay. It is also very frustrating for staff, who want to get on and get the trail reopened as soon as possible.”

He says that all designs, planning and contracts for the work have been finalised and that once materials arrive, the boardwalk and bridge should reopen within six weeks.

Upgrades to the rest of the Ōpua-Paihia coastal trail will be undertaken over the next two years.