Frustration over broken road and broken promises

Residents at the end of Wade River Road say years of unresolved road issues are leaving them out of pocket and increasingly concerned about safety.

Those living near the Weiti Boating Club say motorists and rubbish trucks regularly ignore a designated turnaround area at the end of Fairhaven Walk, instead using private driveways to turn around. The result has been repeated damage, with some driveways reduced to loose gravel.

Residents, who asked not to be named, say the problem has persisted for nearly a decade.

One resident says he has been dealing with Auckland Council since 2016 asking to have the turnaround maintained and his damaged driveway repaired. He says he was recently told work would begin in February, but when an engineer arrived, he was informed the turnaround was not listed in council records and was not council’s responsibility.

However, emails seen by Hibiscus Matters show Council’s road asset maintenance renewal team had scheduled repairs for December/January, later delayed to February due to wet weather.

The resident says the situation has been frustrating.

“It feels like every time we get close to a solution, the promises aren’t followed through and we have to start again with someone new,” he said.

Concerns in the area extend beyond road damage. Residents say the isolated location, combined with a lack of lighting, has contributed to anti-social behaviour.

A community group has formed to address issues including suspected drug dealing and dangerous driving along the narrow road.

Council previously installed bollards to block access to an old road beside the boat club, but residents say these are regularly removed.

They also point to visible slumping in parts of Wade River Road, which they say adds to concerns about long-term access.

“If the road collapses, we could lose access entirely,” one resident said. “We are dealing with multiple issues and just want Council to follow through on what has been promised. Lots of children and families walk and bike on this road and we are terrified someone will be killed by dangerous drivers.”

Albany Ward councillor John Watson has been working with residents to resolve the issue and believes a contributing issue is the layers of bureaucracy within Council.

“Undertakings are being given but not being followed up on,” Watson said. “They need to do what they have promised.”