Kumi Rd residents want action
Residents of Kumi Rd, off State Highway 10 just outside Awanui, have joined those calling on the Far North District Council for a higher standard of road maintenance than they have seen over recent years.
Most if not all the 26 houses on Kumi Rd were represented at a meeting there, spokesman Will Tye saying the problems included dust in dry weather and mud when it was wet. The 4km road carried the usual rural traffic, including milk tankers, school buses, trucks and residential vehicles.
Mr Tye told the council representatives, including mayor John Carter, councillors Mate Radich and Felicity Foy and staff, that those living on the road paid rates, like everyone else, and expected to see more in return than they were currently getting.
Mr Carter said later that there was a combination of issues involved, including the roadway’s camber.
“We will look at what we can be done in the short-term and longer-term,” he said.
“We are listening, and there are some things we can certainly do, but the residents won’t be seeing seal any time soon.”
The good news was that the Government was beginning to understand that health was an important issue in terms of rural roading.
Mr Radich said five other roads in the district were actively looking for improved maintenance, but a sixth, Bell’s Rd, off Wireless Rd, just north of Kaitaia, was likely to have one kilometre sealed, and had been taken off the list.