A successful battle against marina development plans for Napier's Ahuriri Estuary nearly 40 years ago is continuing to bear fruit with the society formed to protect the environment having a pivotal role in protecting the area around the State Highway 2-Watchman Rd intersection project near Hawke's Bay Airport.
After years of having their arguments brushed-off and being a thorn in the side of councils and developers, concerned citizens formed the Ahuriri Estuary Protection Society in 1981 and with founding chairperson Isabel Morgan and secretary Sue Macdonald still in their respective chairs 36 years later, the society has played a central role in protecting the habitat of the estuary and the Westshore Wildlife Reserve.
Both say that had it not been the steps taken in the 1960s to 1980s, against the plans for "rich-man's" boat berthage in the inland waterway, the area would have been destroyed by building projects and other developments over the years.
NZ Transport Agency system manager Wayne Oldfield said ensuring the ongoing health of the estuary and the Westshore reserve is one of the key goals for the construction team working on the roundabout project at the intersection of the highway, Meeanee Quay and Watchman Rd, which extends across the reserve and creates a new entrance to the airport.
The project, due for completion next year, was designed to do away with what had become one of the country's most dangerous highway intersections.