Work to restore estuary health by returning freshwater flows from the Kaituna River into Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi Maketū Estuary is now ahead of schedule.
After reopening for the summer fishing season, Ford Rd access restrictions will return from February 8 to allow river re-diversion construction progress to continue.
"The
first sod was turned on June 12 last year. We expected the project to take two years to complete but we're already nearly halfway through," said Bay of Plenty Regional Council coastal catchments manager Pim de Monchy.
"We're grateful for the co-operation and support we've received from local residents, tangata whenua, river users, fishers and Western Bay of Plenty District Council to date.
It will mean we can complete the work and get public access, and the health and mauri (life force) of the estuary restored as quickly as possible," Mr de Monchy said.
