DOC closes Bream Head Track for improvements
Date: 08 July 2008
On 14 July 2008, the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fulton Hogan will begin Stage II of the track improvement programme at Bream Head. While Stage I continues on the Smugglers Loop Track at the western end of the reserve, Stage II will make improvements to the track from the Peach Cove car park to Peach Cove. This work is expected to be completed by November 1 2008.
During this period, the entire Bream Head ridge track system and the Peach Cove Hut will be officially closed for reasons of public safety. This includes the access points from Ocean Beach, Peach Cove car park (off Ocean Beach Road), the boat-accessible track at Peach Cove, and Mt Lion (accessible from Urquharts Bay). Closure notices will be placed at all access points to advise the public.
DOC Programme Manager Shaughan Anderson says, "The ultimate result will be a track that is safer and meets national standards, but because of the steep terrain and the narrowness of the track corridor we can't keep it open to visitors while the contractors and machinery are working. We apologise for the inconvenience and hope people will bear with us. However while the ridge tracks are a no-go, the public are still free to use the Smugglers Bay loop track subject to the advisory notices at the Urquharts Bay carpark."
The track improvements at Bream Head are largely about managing the effects of wet winters with proper water-tabling and culverts, dealing to steep grades, and future-proofing the track for increasing visitor numbers. The track design was done by specialist track and recreation engineers Frame Group, with Fulton Hogan undertaking the construction.
As well as the comprehensive track design, plans have been prepared to prevent the spread of argentine ants as equipment and materials are moved around the reserve, and impacts on archaeological and cultural sites are being managed in partnership with Ngatiwai, and covered by an Authority from the Historic Places Trust.
The track improvements are funded from the DOC Visitor Assets National Pool, a multi-million dollar fund for capital improvements to DOC tracks, campgrounds and other facilities. Since 2003, local DOC offices have been very successful in bidding for funds to improve a range of amenities in Northland. The national fund has paid for improvements to Ruapekapeka Pa and Cape Brett lighthouse, the Waipoua Forest River Road, new toilets and showers at DOC campgrounds like Uretiti and Mimiwhangata, the new track on Moturua Island, and car parks and visitor facilities at Cape Reinga, among other projects.
Key points
- The Department of Conservation is closing the Bream Head track system from 14 July to 1 November 2008, including access points from Ocean Beach, Peach Cove car park, Peach Cove and Mt Lion.
- The track is closed for safety reasons while contractors from Fulton Hogan undertake track improvements as part of the Bream Head Tracks Upgrade Project. Closure notices will be placed at track access points.
- The track was designed by Frame Group of Auckland, specialists in recreational design, and is being built by Fulton Hogan.
- The track improvements are paid for by a DOC national fund for large recreation projects, and Northland has been very successful in bidding for project funds.
back to top