Principles:
- We support the ability of the public to access the Inlet for the following reasons:
- it is a community asset
- the enjoyment of the Inlet by people will increase their appreciation of the environment.
- We recognise that the Inlet is not a pristine environment but we believe that the negative impacts of people’s enjoyment of the Inlet should be minimised.
- Every effort must be made to ensure that people enjoying the Inlet can do so in safety.
Existing walkways:
There are currently four areas where it is possible to walk safely:
- Camborne walkway
- Road footpath from Paremata Bridge to Browns Bay
- Wildlife Reserve at Pauatahanui
- Motukaraka Point
It is also possible to use the Whitby walkway system and road footpaths to walk from Browns Bay to Pauatahanui Village.
We support the maintenance and upgrading, where necessary, of these walkways and footpaths.
We also recognise that at low-mid tide it is possible to walk around the Inlet. Care should be taken however to avoid damage to fragile areas such as stream mouths.
Walkway encircling Inlet:
We support in principle the provision of a safe walkway along the bulk of State Highway 58 from Browns Bay to Pauatahanui Village and alongside Grays Rd on the condition that it has a minimal ecological impact and minimal impact on the natural character of the shoreline.
In particular, we have extreme reservations about any engineering solutions which may have to be applied. It would need to be demonstrated that such solutions had minimal ecological and natural character impact. However, we are open to the possibility that a creative solution may be found which does not have such impacts.
Particular issues with walkway:
- The area of greatest concern is State Highway 58. This is the route along which there is most demand because of the proximity of residential development, and also the most problematic part of a potential walkway because of the narrowness of the road and lack of space on either side. It is also the most unsafe part of the Inlet to walk or bike along.
- We have considered whether the network of Whitby walkways could become an alternative route between Browns Bay and Pauatahanui Village, but are aware that in practical terms this might not work. This is for two reasons:
- People walking a walkway around the Inlet, will want to walk alongside the Inlet.
- An inland route would add several kilometres to the route.
- A walkway around the Inlet is bound to attract cyclists and so they must be catered for as well and potential conflicts between walkers and cyclists anticipated and managed. Cyclists are unlikely to be able to use the walkway through the Wildlife Reserve.
- A walkway around the Inlet is likely to attract more traffic to roads around the Inlet. Local people are likely to drive to their preferred entry point and a walkway would also become a regional recreational attraction. We are concerned about this likely increase in traffic in fragile places. We suggest that should a walkway go ahead thought be given to controlled entry points or ‘hubs’ with provision for safe carparking and interpretation signage.
- It is possible to walk fairly comfortably and safely along a good proportion of Grays Road. This part of the route could be made more attractive in future by traffic calming along Grays Road.
- Should a walkway go ahead we would want to see appropriate environmental education signage to ensure that increased access to the Inlet also results in increased appreciation and knowledge of this fragile environment.
- A walkway around the Inlet does not need to happen all in one go, but it should be planned for and designed at one time to ensure consistency of approach and to take into account other infrastructure projects eg: Transit’s upgrading of seawalls.
Christine Jacobson
Chairperson, Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet
PO Box 57034, Mana, Porirua
March 2003
