Harbour Protection Society chairman Brian Scantlebury at the front of his property, alongside where a raised walkway could be built. Photo / John Borren
Harbour Protection Society chairman Brian Scantlebury at the front of his property, alongside where a raised walkway could be built. Photo / John Borren
Tauranga harbourfront residents opposed to construction of a walkway from Memorial Park to The Strand are using ecological arguments to help sway public opinion.
A meeting this week between members of the Tauranga Harbour Protection Society and city councillors saw the focus shift from the traditional argument the walkway would become a crime corridor used by criminals and troublemakers to gain access to properties.
Issues associated with building a walkway have reared their head again after the council agreed to spend up to $30,000 looking at consenting issues.
Society chairman Brian Scantlebury said the meeting was to show new councillors there were better options than losing what was left of the denuded shoreline to a walkway. He showed photos taken more than 20 years ago when there was a sandy beach.
Mr Scantlebury told the Bay of Plenty Times after Wednesday's meeting that the foreshore had been allowed to deteriorate for 40 years, with one of the contributors to erosion believed to be changes in water movement caused by port dredging.
The society wanted to restore the beach so it became easier for people to negotiate, build new public accessways to the foreshore and to upgrade existing accesses that had fallen into disrepair. Mr Scantlebury said a lot of people walked the 800 metres from Memorial Park at mid-tide and the society wanted to enhance the experience by proposing to restore the beach by artificial replenishment.
Artist's impression of inner harbour walkway which is proposed to run from Memorial Park to the Matapihi Railway Bridge. Photo/supplied
"We want to improve the environment, not only for ourselves but the public."
He said members opposed the construction of a structure like the walkway over a natural asset. "It would be foolhardy from an environmental and amenity point of view."
The alternative approach being advanced by the society was better public utilisation of the foreshore, Mr Scantlebury said.
Another major legal hurdle for any walkway would be the loss of riparian rights, in which neighbouring landowners had legal access across the foreshore. Boat sheds dotted the waterfront.
Councillor Matt Cowley said said a lot of erosion had taken place and there were issues around public access to the foreshore.
The council needed to get the balance right between public and private interests in an old part of town where many residents held riparian rights.
Cr Cowley pledged a very open and public process.
Memorial Park to Strand Walkway Progress •June 5, 2015: Council allocates $30,000 for investigation •June 8, 2015: Walkway joins list of potential downtown waterfront upgrades •July 1, 2015: Councillors meet with opponents of walkway
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