Mauao track closures delayed

Track work on Mauao has been delayed. Photo/file

The closure of two Mauao tracks in the second week of November has been delayed.

The Waikorire and Oruahine tracks were to be resurfaced between November 7-11 ahead of the busy summer season but the work has been postponed.

The tracks to the summit would instead be closed at a later date, Tauranga City Council said, which would be advised early next week.

The work was still planned to be completed before Christmas.

The closure would be in effect from the stone steps at the Mount Maunganui Beach entrance up to the summit.

During the works the base track would remain open and unaffected, and the public would still be able to access the Mauao summit from the Pilot Bay entrance, via the 4WD track.

After an assessment of the resurfacing options, Tauranga City Council identified that a heavy lift helicopter is the most cost-effective way to supply resurfacing materials to the track, and has cut down the closure period considerably.

The Oruahine track would be closed for visitor safety during the helicopter phase of the work as it will fly over that area.

It was likely the helicopter work would take 2-3 days, after which the Oruahine track would be reopened.

The closures would be signposted at each of the park entrances and temporary fencing would be in place ahead of restricted areas.

Security staff would be on site at key locations to ensure people were directed to open tracks.