Dolbel Reserve long with Sugar Loaf, a section of Maggie's Way and Sturms Gully are set to remain closed by NCC during the Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown. Photo / File
Dolbel Reserve long with Sugar Loaf, a section of Maggie's Way and Sturms Gully are set to remain closed by NCC during the Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown. Photo / File
Don't expect to be able to go on a walk in Napier's reserves when level 3 kicks in, or in other spots around the region, because most lockdown restrictions will remain in place.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says access to regional parks, rivers and trails will remain the same during alert level 3 as they were under level 4.
No vehicles can access the sites and Hawke's Bay Trails will remain partially closed, while the public are urged to only walk or ride within their bubble.
A HBRC spokeswoman said that although it is frustrating for people not to be able to hit the long trails, it is for the benefit of the community to follow the rules.
"We recognise that people will be wanting to stretch their legs a bit more or go further, but please hang in there," she said.
"We're all in this together, and we've still got a lot of mahi to do to protect our whānau and community."
Napier City Council said parks and sports grounds will remain open for passive recreation, but reserves which are currently closed under level 3 will remain closed.
The reserves affected are Dolbel, Sugar Loaf, Sections of Maggies Way and Sturms Gully.
Hastings District Council confirmed on Friday that access to Te Mata Peak would remain closed.
"While we know how much everyone wishes to return to the park and get back into their routines, we will not be permitted to reopen vehicle access on Te Mata Peak Rd under level 3 (noting also that Tauroa Rd end is still closed due to the forestry project).
"Also, due to the recently announced government rules, the more challenging MTB tracks (Hori and Te Ihu) will be closed. This is also consistent with HDC Park and Reserve management under level 3 and has Civil Defence endorsement.
"We are hoping that it will only be two weeks at this level, and we look forward to sharing the park again with you all soon.
"For those of you who can walk or ride to the park, please be aware that forestry will be resuming on Tuesday, and it is critical that you abide by the track closures. The forestry area is extremely dangerous and the boundaries and signage are there to protect you."
Hastings District Council and Napier City Council said the delivery of essential services such as water and waste remain a priority.
But all playgrounds, council community facilities, chlorine-free water taps, public drinking water fountains, freedom camping sites, i-Site centres and most public toilets will remain closed under level 3.
Hastings District Council confirmed that in regards to council services, it's not a lot different to level 4, but some recycling services will return. Photo / Hastings District Council
Kerbside recycling collection in Hastings will resume Tuesday, April 28, for glass, paper and cardboard only.
Hastings District Council has been working with its contractors to ensure this work can be carried out safely and looks forward to again supporting people's recycling efforts, with collection days remaining the same.
At this time plastic and cans will not be collected as they cannot be recycled due to the manual sorting process required to prepare them for markets which under current conditions cannot be safely performed.
"While our aim, and that of our Waste Minimisation and Management Plan, is to minimise the volume of waste going to landfill, we have to put the safety of people first," Hastings District Council group manager asset management Craig Thew said.
"As soon as the situation changes and this service can be resumed safely we will begin collecting plastic and cans again – but at this stage we are unsure when this will be. We will keep the community informed."
The council is also not recommending households continue to store these materials due to the inability to give a date when we would be able to recycle them again.
All public recycling stations will remain closed during level 3, including rural green bins, and council thanks rural residents for their patience.
HDC's official orange rubbish bag kerbside collection will continue as it has been during level 4, and these official council bags can be dropped off at the Henderson Rd refuse transfer station for free during opening hours.
Work is under way to enable the Henderson Rd transfer station to open to the public.
While all account holders will be able to use the transfer station from Tuesday, it will not be open to the public until changes in payment approaches and contact-tracing systems are in place as well as allowing for physical distancing requirements to be managed.
The new kerbside recycling service that was due to start in May, has been delayed until June due to the Covid level 4 restrictions creating delays, but delivery of the new black recycling crates will resume during level 3.
