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The pedestrian bridge that goes over Nukumea Stream from Kensington Park into Eaves’ Bush Reserve re-opened in August.
Auckland Council closed the bridge in November 2019, saying that structural issues rendered it unsafe for the public to use.
The work of demolishing the old bridge and completely replacing it was delayed by Covid-19 budget constraints until last April. The job was completed in early August and, since then, the bridge has been available for the public to use.
The cost of the bridge replacement and all the associated work, including minor track upgrade and plantings, was $125,270.
The bush reserve itself was closed in June 2019 for track upgrades to protect kauri trees from dieback. Since then two of the tracks have reopened – the main one that runs along the edge of Nukumea Stream (from Old North Road to Kensington Park) and the one that tracks off to the right of that, and runs up to the Hillcrest Road entrance.
Two tracks remain closed.
When will Okura bush walks be back?
Another place to enjoy a bush walk, Okura Bush, remains closed. The Department of Conservation (DOC) closed the scenic reserve almost three-and-a-half years ago, in May 2018, to help stop the spread of kauri dieback. At the same time, a rahui was placed over the bush by mana whenua. DOC senior ranger, Hemirau Waretini, says during the closure, DOC has been upgrading tracks to mitigate the spread of kauri dieback as well as repairing two slips and installing a third kauri dieback hygiene station. Traps and poison were used to control possums and rats. Although DOC manages the bush, they work with volunteer organisation Friends of Okura Bush on things such as weed and predator control and tracks. DOC has no idea yet when Okura Bush may reopen to the public.
