5 April 2018
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Lake Okataina boat ramp follow up
Enquiry
The reporter asked the following questions as a follow up to an earlier story about issues at the Lake Okataina boat ramp:
- I was told that in the last few years a man slipped on boards at the end of the ramp and badly dislocated his knee. I was told that the slippery boards have been an ongoing problem so have the following questions.
- When did this incident happen?
- Did the Council do anything in response/follow up?
- If so what did it cost?
- Are the particularly slippery wooden boards an isolated problem at this boat ramp?
Response
Response from Sport and Recreation Manager Rob Pitkethley -
The shallow gradient of Lake Okataina means that when the lake levels are low a substantial amount of the lake bed is exposed. This includes the wooden boards at the end of the ramp.
At the current lake level the boards are about 35m into the lake from where people are launching their boats.
We received notification a knee injury on this ramp in August 2010 and work was subsequently carried out to put new netting on the end of the ramp to remedy the issue.
In February 2017 the lake level was approximately 2.5m lower than what it is currently and we did have reports of damaged boards and general slipperiness. The boards were replaced and a non-slip aluminium mesh was applied at a total work cost of $5000.
During summer when the lake levels are generally lower and the weather is warmer algae growth is more common which means ramp surfaces can become slippery. Each Friday during that period checks are carried out and if need be a bobcat and a street sweeper are used to clear sand and scrape algae away.
Most ramps are concrete which doesn't get particularly slippery and all ramps with wooden boards have a non-slip netting.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Okere Falls - State Highway 33 safety improvements
Enquiry
The reporter asked for more information relating to a post shared by Mayor Chadwick in regards to a suggestion from the member of the public for a underpass at Okere Falls.
Subsequent questions to NZTA
- Just wondering when Steve Chadwick refers to safety options such as an underpass, is that on top of what is already proposed in NZTA's plans?
- If so, how will they be chosen, when they will be complete etc.
- Also wondering what the project is costing according to the latest estimates?
Subsequent questions to RLC
What else is planned at Okere Falls and how does that fit in with what NZTA is planning?
Response
The reporter was referred to NZ Transport Agency in the first instance to get comment on the proposed upgrade of State Highway 33.
NZTA supplied the following information:
- The Okere Falls work is part of the SH33 Safe Roads project from Te Ngae to Paengaroa.
- Lots more info - link 1, link 2 and link 3 (including media releases/project updates etc)
- Some of your previous coverage here (I think there's a few more if you search through archive)
Subsequent response from NZTA:
- Estimated project cost is $30 million (refer to website)
- Stage one of the work (which includes Okere Falls) is underway and is expected to be complete by end of May 2018 weather permitting.
- 2018 - Seek final approval to start stage two construction and start work (late 2018).
- 2019 - Seek final approval to start stage three construction and start work (late 2019).
- 2021 - All going to plan, all three stages will be completed mid-2021.
- Here's the map from the website of the stages
Further clarification from RLC:
Rotorua Lakes Council isn't doing any work on this road, it is a state highway so is NZ Transport Agency's responsibility.
The mayor's social media post noted a meeting with a member of the public who wanted to pass on his idea. It's not unusual for staff and/or elected members to meet with people like this and if appropriate take action or refer it on to the appropriate agency which in this case would be NZ Transport Agency.
