Public meeting to discuss revised options
Mangonui residents will have a further opportunity to discuss the controversial Mangonui waterfront redevelopment project at a public meeting scheduled for Friday 15 February 2008.
The meeting has been called by the Far North District Council to bring forward options on a way forward after a public meeting earlier this year was strongly critical of design elements and the impact on the historic waterfront area.
Completion of the contract was delayed to enable a review of the design to establish whether alterations could be made to comply with local aspirations.
General Manager for District Facilities Alastair Wells said today the preferred option which would be put to the meeting involved changing the levels on the new parking area by lowering the piles to allow the pavement to fall slightly towards the seaward side instead of the inland side.
"We have also looked at creating a lower level pedestrian boardwalk linked to the new pile structure and at improving or changing some of the amenities to better reflect what the community has indicated it expects," said.
The meeting would be held at the Mangonui Hall at 6.30 p.m.on Friday 15 February.
It would be an opportunity to show the community the revised plans and provide a forum for open discussion on the options available including cost estimates.
"It is important that as many local residents and businesses as possible attend to establish a consensus on the options available," he said.
As a result of feedback from the public meeting, further adjustments would be made before the proposal was placed before the special working party set up earlier this year to consider a way forward. The working party had been scheduled to meet again on 22 February.