The Far North District Council will spend $5 million on "heavy metalling" unsealed roads this year, and another $3 million on resealing and generally maintaining its roading network.
In the past three months contractors had completed routine maintenance at Haruru Falls, and on seven other roads in that area.
Rehabilitation work had been completed on Ngapipito Rd, the seawall at Kohukohu was repaired and unsealed roads were strengthened at Waima Valley, Knudsen and Waiotemarama Gorge roads, while routine metalling and maintenance was carried out in Te Hiku.
Northern Gateway closure
Northlanders travelling to and from Auckland overnight early next week will have to take a detour with the Northern Gateway Toll Road (State Highway One between the Silverdale interchange and Puhoi) closed in both directions for important maintenance work.
The closure will affect the Johnstone Hill Tunnels and toll road in both directions on the nights of September 10 and September 11. The maintenance work, which is weather dependent, will be between 10pm and 5am, when there are lower traffic volumes to minimise disruption to road users.
Robbery suspect snared
The fifth and final suspect in an armed robbery at Waipapa BP has been caught. The 14-year-old was found in Kaitaia on Tuesday and was to appear in the Kaitaia Youth Court charged with aggravated robbery and escaping custody.
The robbery occurred about 7pm on August 27 when four boys aged 14-16 entered the service station and pointed a weapon at staff, who locked themselves in a back room. A fifth stayed in the stolen getaway car.
They made off with the cash drawer, cigarettes and chocolate but were seen by a regular customer, who followed until police arrived. Two were arrested still in the car while two more were tracked by a police dog and caught soon afterwards.
Gun safe targeted
A gun safe with five firearms and ammunition has been wrenched off a wall at a rural Northland property.
The theft was between August 28 and September 4 at a Waiotira property. Police warned firearms owners to ensure gun safes were put in appropriate places, and that ammunition and gun bolts were stored separately. Gun owners were also urged to record serial numbers and take photographs of the firearms in case they were stolen.
