Wednesday, 28 July 2010
MORE than a year after it was given the green light, work has started on a $450,000 upgrade of the Whakatane Heads.
Whakatane District Council issued the final go-ahead for the project early last year after extensive consultation with the Wairaka community and hot debate among councillors who were at loggerheads over whether a cost-cutting environment was a good time to spend money on beautification.
Mayor Colin Holmes used his casting vote to ensure the project moved off the drawing board and into reality.
The plan, with an estimated cost of $458,018, includes a raised car park providing views of the river, Whale Island and other significant features; an additional car park for food gatherers and fishermen; a concrete footpath with mosaics and carved bollards, native planting, and a picnic area at the base of the escarpment with tables and shade trees.
The aim is to provide an attractive area that will form a connection between the town and the sea and transform The Heads into a “destination point” where people can enjoy a range of activities.
The council set aside $252,517 from the harbour fund in 2007/08 to get the project started and committed another $205,501 from the 2009/10 budget to see it through.
HEB made the successful tender for the project.