Bridge action back at beach

A 20-day protest on a Far North beach against a developer's proposed pedestrian overbridge may be seriously tested this week when contractors try again to start work.

The footbridge would link a $50 million condominium development with the beach foreshore.

Contractors want to make a start on the bridge today after being held up since October 26 by objectors who have moved in numbers to occupy parts of Cable Bay beach required for access by a digger and pile-sinking equipment.

It is understood that contractors McBreen Jenkins and subcontractors GHK Piling plan to move their 25-tonne digger on to the beach this morning.

This is likely to be strongly opposed by objectors and hapu-based "beachwatchers" encamped in tents and a housebus just metres away on a beachside reserve.

The Far North District Council granted a non-notified consent for the project in January 2003, and did not consult the local community or iwi.

Objectors say the bridge will be a visual eyesore and are upset that a cultural impact report was not prepared.

Protesters' spokeswoman Annie Tothill said if the contractor tried again to get the digger on to the beach "he'll be met by a number of local people determined to dissuade him".