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Visitors to Tawharanui will be able to enjoy a smoother entry and exit to the regional park this summer, thanks to the installation of a new two-lane entrance in the open sanctuary’s predator-proof fence.
The old single lane gate, which only allowed one vehicle in or out of the park at a time, has been retired after 12 years’ service, and an estimated 2 million openings and closings, and replaced with two separate gates.
Auckland Council’s senior ranger for open sanctuaries, Matt Maitland, says the original single lane gate had been in use since 2004.
“In that time, it’s performed really well, but the superstructure and mechanics were getting quite old,” he says. “We wanted to make sure we replaced it before it broke, so we can keep the wildlife in and the pests out.”
The new entrance, which cost around $270,000, also includes an automatic back up diesel generator in case of power cuts and remote-access CCTV.
The two-lane system is the same as at Council’s other open sanctuary, Shakespear Park, and allows for better traffic flow and management during busy periods. It will also help when visitor numbers increase with expected population growth.
