A beachgoer walking down where the removed steps used to be. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
A beachgoer walking down where the removed steps used to be. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
After apologising for removing beach access steps at Taupō Bay, the Far North District Council is now exploring how residents can work alongside staff to develop a safe, long-term solution.
Residents expressed frustration after council contractors recently removed the stairs. It followed an assessment that none of the structurescomplied with building codes or had engineering sign-off, and “posed significant health and safety risk to users” the FNDC said.
This week, Far North Mayor Moko Tepania and council staff met with Taupō Bay residents.
Tepania acknowledged they should have communicated with the community, but said the steps had to be removed, regardless.
The meeting was attended by Tepania, deputy mayor Chicky Rudkin, councillors and council staff. Residents raised concerns about safety, environmental issues and the lack of clear communication about why the steps were removed.
Tepania said: “It’s really important that we front up and apologise to the community in person.
“This is a community full of very passionate citizens and they’re going to work with us to find some solutions to make sure there’s safe beach access here in Taupō Bay.”
In the meantime, Tepania said the council would look at interim safety measures.
“We’re going to have to pull some staff over here to actually go through that and make sure that the current accessways that people are using are safe.
“We might have to put up some signage as an interim measure or something like that … So definitely going to have to take that on and make sure that we sort stuff out as quick as we can.”
Resident Tony Davies said the steps had been in place for at least 20 years and were heavily used, particularly during holiday periods.
“You’ve got elderly people who can’t get on to the beach now, mothers with babies who can’t get on to the beach.”
Resident Tony Davies said the beach would be busier with more visitors over the holiday. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
He said they were particularly concerned as the beach would be busier for the upcoming holidays.
“It’s Easter this weekend and the bay will be chock-a-block and then it’s also school holidays. So every day you’re going to see two busloads of people with their kids.”
Another resident, Mark Powell, said the alternative access pointed out by council was not practical for many people.
“Unless you’re going to jump off the bank, you’re not getting down there.”
Resident Mark Powell said there was nothing wrong with the steps and they had been used for at least 20 years. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
He said the steps had been used for decades without serious incident and they should have never been removed.
He said he was hopeful there would be a resolution.
