A footpath project started in Rawene last week should be finished by July. The work involves adding two sections of footpath to fill in gaps in an existing path along Parnell St. The first section is at the intersection of Nimmo East St and Parnell St and the second section runs from Rāwene Primary School to Honey St. The project, costing around $800,000, began with the Nimmo St section which should take about two weeks to finish, depending on weather conditions. Once complete, work will begin on the primary school to Honey St section. The Nimmo East St section is 47m long and the work includes planter boxes, shrubs and bollards. The second section to Honey St is 326m long and includes new timber retaining walls, a new kerb and channel, underground drainage and a new 147m handrail and fencing along the edge of the retaining walls.
Kina barrens meeting
Minister for Oceans and Fisheries Shane Jones is holding a public talk next month on how kina barrens in the Far North can be dealt with. Kina barrens - an area depleted of all life except for kina - are becoming a major issue in the Far North, as well as the rest of the country. Jones will host the discussion at Awanui Hotel, from 11am on May 10. Fisheries New Zealand is seeking feedback on two proposed measures to help address kina barrens and rebalance local ecosystems. The proposals include a new special permit for targeted culling, harvesting or translocation of kina and long-spined sea urchins, and options to increase recreational daily bag limits for kina in the Auckland East Fisheries Management Area, which includes Northland’s east coast. To submit on the proposals go to https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/ and find the relevant ones.
