The Kerikeri Inlet Road Boat Ramp Access and Carpark Project aims were to provide public access and parking to an existing boat ramp, jetty and floating pontoon at Windsor Landing (now known as Rangitoto) off Kerikeri Inlet Road approximately eight kilometres from Kerikeri township in New Zealand's Far North region.
Delivered by Far North Roads NZ team, works included the widening of a 90-meter section on Inlet Road, construction of 180 metres of a new sealed access road, reclamation of tidal area, new stormwater infrastructure, landscaping and construction of a car and boat trailer carpark featuring eighteen trailer parks and seven carparks.
The project commenced in October 2020, and after an initial delay with the first COVID lockdown it was completed in May 2021.
History
The site at Windsor Landing was identified 20 years ago as a key access point to the south side of Kerikeri. The site, which had no public access, included a boat ramp and jetty originally built by a private developer in the 1900s, who then later abandoned the land. Far North District Council (FNDC) acquired the land and contracted Ventia to complete the public access upgrade.
The development of this site faced many challenges and delays from impacts of the then emerging Global Financial Crisis, to several complex issues around environmental, archaeological and cultural protection.
"We rate this project as the hardest to bring through planning approvals, which took 16 years to achieve," says Chris Galbraith, General Manager Far North Holdings Ltd.
Aerial view: works included the widening of a 90-meter section on Inlet Road, construction of 180 metres of a new sealed access road, reclamation of tidal area, new stormwater infrastructure, landscaping and construction of a car and boat trailer carpark featuring eighteen trailer parks and seven carparks.
Environmental
Heritage NZ and the Environmental Court applied strict management rules around the works to ensure the cultural significance was protected. Several archaeological sites were identified in proximity which required Ventia to operate within the requirements of the Historic Places Act 1993 when working within and near these sites of historical interest.
"This would be one of the most sensitive sites we have worked on from an archaeological, cultural and environmental perspective" says Chris.
Ventia worked within all consent restrictions and conditions to mitigate archaeological disturbance of the existing site and minimise adverse environmental effects. For example, installation of drainage that could not disturb existing subgrade had to be completed post imported fill stage and levels designed and confirmed to ensure they did not disturb the site, as well as laying geofabrics and/or metal on top of the ground, especially to the new accessway region.
"The site was far from a green field site', says David Collins, Ventia Contract Manager.
"The works included importing fill, rock armouring and drainage all interacting with the site's sensitive subgrade. Completing these tasks while managing environmental controls in the marine zone and mitigating arachnological disturbance was challenging."
At Ventia, we care deeply about our impact on the environment and the legacy we leave for future generations. This care was reflected in our operation of the marine zone, tidal and sediment control.
Stakeholders
The site is culturally significant to whanau groups, Ngāti Rēhia, Te Uri-Taniwha and Ngāti Hineira ahi-kaa whanau.
The collaboration between all stakeholders was seamless and work was well planned and understood by all," says Chris.
We collaborated closely with iwi through the cultural monitoring Kaitiaki (guardianship, for the sky, sea, land and the process and practices of protecting and looking after the environment are referred to as kaitiakitanga). This involved Ventia working with iwi and hapū in the management of freshwater and freshwater ecosystems in the region and engaging the Kaitiaki daily during the project lifecycle.
"Underpinning a good plan is the ability to engage with hapu and to gain confidence among all that site protection is paramount and would not be compromised for expediency or cost. Ventia did an outstanding job in this regard and formed a mutually beneficial relationship with cultural monitors from different hapu. This was a daily activity for Ventia staff, and the quality of this relationship was the cornerstone to the success of the project," says Chris.
At the completion of works Ventia attended the pre-dawn blessing of the site along with members from the local iwi Kaikarakia Hone Mihaka, Kipa Munro and Bernard Makoare and approximately 40 people attended who were mostly local residents.
The Kerikeri Inlet is site of cultural significance to whanau groups, Ngāti Rēhia, Te Uri-Taniwha and Ngāti Hineira ahi-kaa whanau.
Providing community space for a growing population
With the region seeing significant growth in the number of visitors and more people choosing to live in the region, this has placed an increased demand for safer and improved access to the district's boat launching facilities.
The delivering of this project has provided a safe and functional space for the local communities and visitors in years to come.
"Developing public access to the coast is highly valued as more and more people have access to recreational craft, whether this be trailer boats, kayaks, jets skis, paddle boards and alike" says Chris.
Construction of facilities like the new car park has provided a safe and functional space for the local communities and visitors in years to come.
An award-winning project
In the 2022 Civil Contractors Northland Construction Awards, Ventia was awarded two industry awards for our work on the Kerikeri Inlet Road Boat Ramp and Carpark Project.
This included the Excellence in Project $500,000 - $1million category award and the overall New Zealand Environmental Award.
The awards are testament to our strong project management skills and focus on delivering sustainable solutions for our clients and communities.
We also reached the top three finalists for our submission in the Women in Contracting Award category.
David Collins, Contract Manager for our Far North Transport branch was presented the awards at the CCNZ Northland Awards ceremony at the Semenoff Stadium in Whangarei.
Chris Galbraith, General Manager Far North Holdings Limited said that the project was a great example of collaboration:
Far North Holdings Limited have had a fantastic experience delivering this civil works contract with Ventia. The best part of the process was delivering it with a contractor that shared our passion to ultimately have it completed. We were treated as a valued client rather than just a contract. It profiles the role of a quality contractor delivering an outstanding community amenity that will be enjoyed by the public well into the future.
We are extremely proud to have delivered this project and to receive such positive feedback from our client.
The Ventia team receiving the 2022 Civil Contractors Northland Construction Award.