Pipiwai dust-up may cost ratepayers

CONCERN: A logging truck kicks up a trail of dust in Wright Rd, Pipiwai. PHOTO/FILE

Whangarei ratepayers may pick up the tab for tarsealing dusty roads used by logging trucks in Pipiwai if the New Zealand Transport Agency knocks back funding requests by a territorial authority.

The Whangarei District Council is waiting with baited breath for its application for $4.5million to seal the unsealed section of McCardle and Wright Rds or about $400,000 for sealing 100-metre strips in front of nine affected homes on the roads. Last year it spent $30,000 applying 100-metre stretches of dust suppressant on affected areas but residents said it had been a waste of time and ratepayers' money.

Council roading manager Jeff Devine said the NZTA would approve its three-year roading programme in April after reviewing applications for funds from councils throughout the country.

"Our application falls outside the normal bounds of their funding rules which means seal extensions have a low priority under the Government's policy statement, but we believe we have a good case for them to make an exception and reconsider under amended criteria".

He said the NZTA's share of funding for council-maintained roads this year was 54 per cent but the council had asked for 100 per cent contribution for the Pipiwai tarsealing.

Mr Devine said if the NZTA refused an application for $4.5million for full sealing, the council's fallback option was to fund about $400,000 for partial sealing.

"This ($400,000 funding request) sits under their normal subsidised programme but it won't alleviate all issues residents are faced with. It will provide some relief," he said.

If no state funding was received, the council would have to look at whether it could put money in its three-year Long Term Plan that comes into effect from July 15. The public would have a chance to make submissions to the plan.

Mr Devine said should the NZTA decide to fund the entire sealing, the amount would be spread over three years at $1.5million annually. The council would then be able to seal 3km every year for three years.

Alex Wright, spokeswoman for the Pipiwai Titoki Advocacy for Community Health and Safety Group, said it was of great concern to affected residents that without Government funding the likelihood of roads being tarsealed was slim.

The roads that needed to be tarsealed were used by up to 30 logging trucks a day during the week, she said. Wright and McCardle Rds, a 10km stretch of metal road with narrow corners, were the main route used.

"It is to be noted that these roads are on the school bus route. Of great concern is the poor visibility impacted through the dust cloud created by the logging trucks."

The group has organised a public meeting at the Tau Henare Marae in Pipiwai Rd from 10am on Tuesday to discuss their concerns with senior council representatives, including Mayor Sheryl Mai, chief executive Mark Simpson, and group manager infrastructure and services Simon Weston.

Just up the road and across the council border, the Far North District Council has announced plans to seal 100m of road with bitumen outside 10 houses in Pipiwai Rd and eight houses in Piccadilly Rd, and 100m outside 22 houses in Diggers Valley Rd sealed with either clay/metal overlay or bitumen.