Far North council apologises after Taupō Bay beach access stairs removed

The Far North District Council will hold a meeting in Taupō Bay this week to address concerns around the removal of the stairs. Photo / Mike Dinsdale

The Far North District Council has apologised to Taupō Bay residents after removing a set of wooden beach access stairs without informing the community beforehand, admitting the lack of communication “was not good enough”.

Council contractors recently removed the stairs after an assessment found none of the structures complied with building codes or had engineering sign-off, and “posed significant health and safety risk to users the FNDC said”.

The council added that the structures had also encroached on public reserve space.

While the council said the intention was to improve safety and protect public land, it acknowledged it should have communicated with the Taupō Bay community before work was carried out.

“The council failed to advise the Taupō Bay community of what was happening and why. This was not good enough and the council wishes to apologise to community members who are frustrated and upset that the stairs were removed without notice.”

The council said Taupō Bay beach remains accessible via flat access points within 20m of where the stairs were previously located.

In response to community frustration, senior council staff and elected members will attend a public meeting in Taupō Bay on Friday at 10am, to speak directly with residents and hear their concerns.

The council said the situation had highlighted the need to improve the way it communicates with communities before work like this is undertaken.

“The council acknowledges the need to refine our processes and appreciates the importance of gaining community input before work like this is undertaken.”

The meeting is expected to give residents an opportunity to ask questions about why the stairs were removed, what safety concerns were identified, and what options may be available going forward.

The council said it will use the meeting as an opportunity to listen to the community and discuss next steps.

The council released the statement after Far North District councillor Davina Smolders said, in a statement on social media, she had received multiple emails, calls and messages from residents who said the removal of the stairs came as a surprise.

She said locals were confused and angry about what happened to their beach access.

Smolders said communication with the community should have happened before the stairs were removed, not after, and the meeting would be an important opportunity for residents to ask questions and get clarity from council staff.

Taupō Bay is a popular spot for both locals and visitors, particularly during the summer months, and the stairs had been used by beachgoers for several years.