New walkway a pathway of opportunity

The new multi-use walkway could open up fresh buisiness opportunties. PHOTO: FILE

The new 4.2km multi-use walkway Huarahi o te Whai translates as "Pathway of Opportunity'' and could be just that for small businesses hoping to literally get on track, according to the Whangarei District Council.
As the walkway and new bridge Kotuitui Whitanga have been officially opened, so too have business opportunities for enterprises such as pop up restaurants, cafes and bicycle-hire companies.
Paul Dell, group manager district living at Whangarei District Council, said council would accept proposals from parties interested in setting up on the council land along the Hatea Loop (Huarahi o te Whai, or Pathway of Opportunity).
"Over time we can develop and adapt and, yes, we would talk to anyone interested in setting something up."
He said the carpark beside Te Matau a Pohe's control room was an ideal spot for a cafe environment.
Pop ups in containers would be possible, but subject to planning regulations. Coffee vans were less complicated. "Bicycle hire could be located at the Town Basin too, for example," he said.
The $1.7 million bridge was a 100 per cent local project, said Mr Dell. "When the project was put out for tender, we were pleased that the preferred proposals came from a local consortium."
He said the council considered a number of issues when weighing up the tenders, not just cost.
"These companies ticked all the boxes - they had all of the attributes needed."
The bridge was designed by local architects and designers HB Architecture and consulting engineers Richardson Stevens, and lead construction was carried out by Steve Bowling Infrastructure Group, which includes GHK Piling, Northland Property Maintenance, Steve Bowling Contracting and Stainless Steel projects. The project also included Busck Prestressed Concrete, SSP Engineering, LC Hydraulics and McKay Electrical, with Seakins Engineering and Griffiths and Associates.
Steel remnants from Te Matau a Pohe were used to create bespoke site furniture and features along the walkway, a hat-tip to the history of industrial development in the district.
It wasn't a case of using up leftover steel, Mr Dell said. "It was intentional. We got materials at a good price and had always planned on using it for the walkway. "It's symbolic reference to the industrial part of our district, which we are embracing."
Mr Dell said the businesses along the waterfront had co-operated with the council in putting up fences and blocking off access to their properties.
There were no plans to build walls along the Okara side of the walkway, where fences have been erected to keep the public out of the business premises, as the walls would only invite tagging.
The bridge is made of driven steel tube piles and has precast concrete piers, steel beams and masts, precast concrete deck panels and stainless steel screens and handrails and it will be controlled from Te Matau a Pohe's control room.