Key Takeaways
- The Hurunui District Council has backed a proposed $1.4m road extension to secure access to the Amberley Beach Golf Course.
- The decision was made to extend Griersons Ave, which will provide long-term access to the golf course, threatened by coastal erosion.
- The new road will also provide access to Waimaiaia 899 Reserve, the mouth of the Waipara River, and the northern beach.
- The estimated cost of the project, including land purchases and construction, is expected to be less than $1.4m.
- The council has obtained a resource consent from Environment Canterbury, which includes provision for two culverts over wetlands.
Introduction to the Proposal
The Hurunui District Council has recently backed a proposed $1.4m road extension to secure access to the Amberley Beach Golf Course. The proposal, which was originally presented to the council three years ago by the Amberley Beach Golf Club, was approved by a 5-4 vote, with two councillors abstaining. The decision means the council can proceed with negotiating land purchases and preparing a tender to extend Griersons Ave, which will provide long-term access to the golf course. The golf course has been threatened by coastal erosion, making the extension of Griersons Ave a necessary step to ensure the course’s continued accessibility.
The Need for the Road Extension
The Amberley Beach Golf Course is a significant recreational facility in the area, with around 300 members, mostly in their late 50s. The golf club has been working closely with the council to find a solution to the access issue, and the proposed road extension is seen as the best option. The new road will not only provide access to the golf course but also to Waimaiaia 899 Reserve, the mouth of the Waipara River, and the northern beach. The council has already obtained a resource consent from Environment Canterbury, which includes provision for two culverts over wetlands. The reserve status of Department of Conservation land will need to be considered, but the council chief executive, Hamish Dobbie, said this could be sped up by obtaining a licence to occupy.
The Debate and Decision
The proposal was not without controversy, with some councillors expressing concerns about the cost and the potential impact on the environment. Councillor Vince Daly argued that the proposal went against the council’s Amberley Beach Coastal Adaptation Plan, which had recently purchased land for the possible future relocation of the Amberley Beach village. Tom Davies expressed concerns that the road could become "a road to nowhere" if the golf club had a shorter lifespan than the road. However, other councillors, such as Robbie Bruerton and Dave Hislop, argued that it was time the council made a decision, given that they had been looking at the proposal for three years. The golf club members, Paul Wylie and Bruce Yates, also presented to the meeting, calling on the council to get on and start work by the end of February.
The Next Steps
The council’s decision to back the proposed road extension means that they can now proceed with the next steps, including negotiating land purchases and preparing a tender for the construction of the new road. The estimated cost of the project, including land purchases and construction, is expected to be less than $1.4m. The council chief executive, Hamish Dobbie, said that the tender was unlikely to go out before Christmas, meaning that construction of the road would not begin in February. The project is expected to be loan funded, with the council unlikely to receive any new funding from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Despite the challenges ahead, the council’s decision is seen as a positive step towards securing the long-term accessibility of the Amberley Beach Golf Course.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Hurunui District Council’s decision to back the proposed $1.4m road extension to secure access to the Amberley Beach Golf Course is a significant step towards ensuring the long-term accessibility of the course. The new road will not only provide access to the golf course but also to other recreational areas in the region. While there are still challenges ahead, including negotiating land purchases and constructing the new road, the council’s decision is a positive step towards supporting the local community and preserving the region’s recreational facilities. The project is expected to be completed within the estimated budget of $1.4m, and the council is committed to working with the golf club and other stakeholders to ensure the successful completion of the project.