Some residents on Ngunguru Ford Rd believe the resealing was wasteful ad unnecessary. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
Some residents on Ngunguru Ford Rd believe the resealing was wasteful ad unnecessary. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
Residents along Ngunguru Ford Rd in Glenbervie have voiced frustration over recent roadworks to a road they considered perfectly fine, labelling them as unnecessary and a waste of ratepayer money.
Part of Ngunguru Ford Rd and Ngunguru Rd was resealed last week, and residents say there was nothing wrong with the road, with some even saying their cars have suffered minor damage as a result of loose stones.
While residents believe it was wasteful, Whangārei District Council said the works were done to avoid future maintenance issues.
Resident Lauren Terell said it was an absolute joke how money was being wasted by council on what she believed was an unproblematic road.
“I cannot believe they waste this much money again. There was not even one pothole on that road, so I just don’t understand why it was done.”
Parts of Ngunguru Rd and Ngunguru Ford Rd were resealed. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
She said she believes the money and resources could have been better spent on roads that needed it more.
“I made a complaint to the council about it and they said they would get back to me. I will ask for a transparent printout of how much has been spent on continuously patching up.
“There are stones in my tyres and I am not sure if that will continue to be an issue … my car is only one year old and I have had to replace tyres, it’s so frustrating.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said she was also planning on making a complaint.
“I have stones in my brakes and almost lost a windscreen because of flying stones. Maybe making a complaint may have better results.”
Aklesha Morrison, who also lives on the road, said he complained because it was frustrating to see money being wasted on resealing a road “that did not need it”.
“It’s a waste of our money, taxpayer money. It’s frustrating because they are not doing what is actually needed.”
He said he believed there were other roads, like Ngunguru Rd, that needed the work and that is where the focus should be.
“This road looks like it could have gone for a few more years, it was perfectly fine.”
Whangārei District Council acting manager for infrastructure projects Greg Moneith confirmed that council had the road resealed, and works were completed.
The works were done over approximately 1.8km of road and were in excess of $100,000.
“The existing sealed surface was 14 years old and due for a resurfacing to avoid costly maintenance issues going forward. The resurfacing programming aims to intervene prior to high levels of expensive maintenance being required.”
