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Members of the Matakana community say the open drains on Matakana Valley Road are a serious safety hazard.
As the retail zone in Matakana spreads, plans to fill the open drains on Matakana Valley Road and create parking spaces are gaining traction.
Matakana Community Group (MCG) chair Dr Simon Barclay says the group has been campaigning for years to get work done on the drains, but negotiations with Auckland Transport (AT) appear to be making ground at last.
“We’ve made it a priority for the group over the next year,” Dr Barclay says.
Designs are underway which will hopefully allow work to begin, he says.
“AT has agreed to investigate the project if we are able to supply designs for the work. Hutchinson Consulting
Engineers is producing preliminary plans for the drains pro bono and the road layout designs have been completed.
Detailed design of the drainage system is now being undertaken.”
The proposal will create parallel and angled parking along a section of Matakana Valley Road, creating about 50 parking spaces.
The developer of the new retail building opening at 38 Matakana Valley Road, Craig Clark, says Matakana isn’t the small rural town it used to be and infrastructure needs to keep up with development.
“With two new retail developments being completed in this part of town, Council should make a contribution to Matakana,” Mr Clark says.
Warwick Mortimer, who is also developing a retail building on the street, says he has raised the issue with Council numerous times.
“It’s a major safety concern for us,” Mr Mortimer says. “It’s an eyesore and a danger. There have been numerous occasions of people falling into the drains and cars getting stuck.”
Meanwhile, plans to create a large parking lot on land beside Matakana School are taking shape. Designs completed by Warkworth Surveyors show the space would have about 90 parks, which could be used by the school during the week and as a public parking lot during weekends and school holidays. The land would also create a safe pick-up/drop-off zone for parents driving children to school.
Dr Barclay says Council has been supportive of the project and the plans will go to Council for approval early next year.
“In a best-case scenario, the work will start early next year,” Mr Barclay says.
The Matakana Variety Concert last month raised $14,000 towards the project. Full costs and funding are still being finalised.
