Tumene Drive walkways to remain open
21 March 2014
Public access to two walkways off Tumene Drive in the Rotorua suburb of Owhata is expected to remain as a result of a decision taken yesterday [20 February 2014] at a meeting of Rotorua District Council's Strategy, Policy & Finance Committee.
The committee is recommending to the council that previous decisions aimed at closing access to the walkways, be rescinded.
Both walkways provide access into Mokoia Intermediate School - one off Kirk Lane and the other off Westminster Drive. However recently there have been public requests to re-open them, following concern about pedestrians trampling over private property to get around gates installed last year.
The committee decision would see the gate at the entrance to the Westminster Drive accessway remaining in place but its opening and closing controlled by Mokoia Intermediate School to allow access around school hours.
Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson said he had been approached by a number of local residents and had been happy to listen to their concerns about the walkways.
"Clearly there's been something of a shift in opinion among many residents in favour of these accessways remaining open. The council has listened to those views and I'm comfortable that we're taking a pragmatic approach and doing the right thing for that community.
The committee's recommendations will now go the next meeting of the full council for final ratification.