Dead endfor disgruntled Cames road residents

Kaipara District Councillors have been criticised for their “disinterest” in finding a solution to a dispute that has literally divided residents of Cames Road, Mangawhai.

Before Christmas, Council dug a clay barricade across the road to stop residents using it to connect with Lawrence Road, effectively creating a Cames Road East and a Cames Road West, according to Paul Wightman.

“The only thing missing is barbed wire and a sentry post,” he says.

Mr Wightman took advantage of the public forum before last month’s full council meeting at Hakaru Hall to air his concerns.

He called for Council, staff and planners to admit they had “stuffed up and should stop using standover tactics in an attempt to solve the problem”.

“The response from our local councillors has been disappointing. They don’t seem interested, don’t want to get involved and hope it goes away.”

Residents had earlier met with Council to present an 80-signature petition in favour of re-opening the road. Thirty five wanted the road to remain closed.

“The only response so far has been for the council to spend $10,000 keeping the road closed.”

Kaipara District Mayor Neil Tiller wants the issue resolved as soon as possible. He told the meeting that a working group would be convened to talk with residents within the next two weeks.

“The question of whether the road should be opened and maintained by Council needs to be answered,” he said. “The issue then is, if we re-open it, who pays and what extent of work needs to be done. We have some anxious residents, not only on Cames Road but those who have been using it as a through road.”

Mr Wightman said that re-opening the road to create a through-route along Cames, Lawrence, Garbolini and Cove roads would be a “far better solution” than the bypass of Mangawhai Village contained in the 2005 Mangawhai structure plan.

Derek Mason said Council had been inconsistent in implementing its subdivision roading policy and staff should be held accountable for wasting ratepayers’ money.
After the meeting, Mr Wightman said that he wasn’t convinced another meeting with council would help.

“We’ve been there before with no satisfactory outcome. But there’d better be a solution soon or folk will start to take the law into their own hands.”

Paul Wightman addresses the meeting. Derek Mason, seated, waits his turn.