Quick response to speeders promised for Ahipara

There was no sign of life on Thursday afternoon, but at times Takahe Street is too dangerous for kids to walk to school.

Mayor John Carter promised a quick response to traffic concerns at Ahipara at a community meeting last week.

About 50 residents strongly supported the installation of judder bars to slow traffic, but were initially told that that would require a business case and inclusion in a future Far North District Council long-term plan. Cr Felicity Foy also said finding the money would be complicated.

Council engineer Marius Gabriels said the only solutions at this stage would be paint and signs. Chicanes, roundabouts and judder bars would require a case study and applications for funding.

Mr Carter did not agree, although he agreed that judder bars were unlikely to slow some motorcyclists.

He said the council would investigate erection of a speed sign similar to the one on SH1 at Ohaeawai, which could be done quickly and at modest cost, and would begin the judder bar process immediately.

It would also look at reducing the speed limit in some areas, and could make a good case for money from the government's tourism infrastructure fund for footpaths.

The Far North District and Northland Regional councils are trying to encourage motorists and motorcyclists to be sensible at Ahipara, but it isn't working.

Mr Carter later told the Northland Age that the four judder bars built at Waipapakauri Ramp earlier in the year had cost around $5000 each, which was taken from the council's general maintenance fund, the entire process, from the instructing of staff to completion, taking three or four weeks.

Judder bars had been constructed elsewhere, including Mangonui, Kerikeri and Waipapa, without a lengthy planning process, he added.

He also undertook to set up a working party comprising Te Hiku Community Board, council, council engineering staff and community representatives, as an immediate priority.

Some of those present on Wednesday evening might have been a little sceptical - Maureen Te Paa said she had been attending similar meetings for almost 20 years, without result - but all agreed that traffic issues needed urgent attention.

Most blamed holiday-makers for dangerous driving within the settlement, although one reckoned 80 per cent of offenders were locals.

It seemed to be generally accepted that the police did not have the resources to solve the problem, although acting Sergeant Dion Masters said Ahipara would have a very obvious police presence over Labour weekend, aimed at slowing traffic and educating drivers.

Specific concerns included the eastern end of Takahe Street, where the camp ground, motel and golf course all generated significant traffic, which, given the absence of footpaths, posed real dangers for pedestrians, including children living in the street.

"It's crazy," one woman said, adding that her children were driven to school because of that little stretch. The danger was greatest on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when golfers were travelling.

Craig Harrison asked why Rangiputa, which had about 20 residents, had a "beautiful" footpath that was almost unused, when Ahipara, with a far greater population, and a much greater source of rates, couldn't have one.

The only answer, from the floor, referred to the squeaky wheel principle.

Meanwhile there was very little sympathy for lengthy planning processes. Trevor Beatson said said he could not accept that a long-term plan had to be part of building judder bars.

"I'm sure that if pressure is applied something will happen in a week," he said, Reg Frost adding that one did not need to be a genius to build a footpath.

Mr Carter reiterated his promise to take action, however, and assured the meeting that Ahipara would not be forgotten.

"We will be back before Christmas to tell you what we can do now, what we can do in six months and two years," he said.

Beach driving out of control

Traffic, particularly motorcycles, on the beach at Ahipara was out of control, resident Patau Tepania told last week's Te Hiku Community Board-called meeting at Ahipara.

"We always hear about policies and processes, but they aren't working for us," Mr Tepania said. "We need to make it clear that we as a community will not tolerate excessive speed or misbehaviour on the beach, the roads or in the community."

He believed signs should be erected from Whangarei north, advising visitors that they would be expected to behave in and around Ahipara.

"If one of my grandkids steps out and gets killed I will never forgive you," he told the district council and community board members present. "I don't think anyone else would either."

There were other issues too, however from Cape Reinga to Whangape, including the damage people were doing to the environment generally, and the lack of respect some showed for features that were of huge importance to iwi.

Community board member Bronwyn Hunt suggested that that concern could be addressed by erecting information boards explaining sites' historical importance and the need for their protection.