Puhoi gets passed by

DELWYN DICKEY

PUHOI has been designated a no-growth area in its draft structure plan, partly to protect its Bohemian heritage and rural feel. That decision may inadvertently cost the small community its access to the new Puhoi to Wellsford motorway extension.

At a meeting last Wednesday, more than 60 Puhoi locals gave a frosty reception to NZ Transport Agency representatives when they advised they were only looking at access points to the new motorway at Warkworth and Wellsford.

This would leave the communities of Puhoi, Waiwera, and Mahurangi West without access to the main highway.

"This access is considered essential if communities like Puhoi, Waiwera and Mahurangi are not to be totally cut off and marginalised," says Puhoi businessman Larry Mitchell.

"We will become another Pokeno," Art of Cheese cafe owner Donna Li says.

But it's comments by transport representatives that access for Puhoi is unlikely because the village is not designated a growth node by the Rodney District Council that has upset locals most.

Growth predictions are among criteria considered by the transport agency when locating motorway ramps. If councils agree to review these policies then the agency says it will also consider reviewing its access proposals.

Rodney mayor Penny Webster says although it is correct that Puhoi has been designated a non-growth node to protect the village's character, the council vigorously supported the community's desire for motorway access.

She admits that information given to the transport agency may have suggested the council wasn't supporting access, but says this is not council policy, and she is moving rapidly to set the record straight.

"Let me state emphatically to the agency and to Puhoi residents – we are delighted that the road is at last being planned, but that planning has to include access at Puhoi, Warkworth and Wellsford.

"As a result of earlier miscommunication, council staff are urgently preparing a written submission to the NZ Transport Agency that will present a compelling case for Puhoi access."

Under the agency's motorway proposals, locals and visitors would have to exit the motorway 12km south at Orewa or at Warkworth about 16km north.

Small businesses in the area may struggle to find truck carriers willing to service the village, say locals. Trucks will need to enter or leave the motorway at Silverdale because they will be unable to travel through Orewa's motorway access at Grand Drive where there are heavy traffic restrictions.

But not all favour motorway access at Puhoi, with some Mahurangi West residents seeing a future lack of access as a way to safeguard the beauty of the coastal area and stop the spread of urban sprawl.

"Mahurangi's essence is a harbourscape of outstanding natural beauty, a million miles from the metropolis," says resident Cimino Cole.

Mrs Webster is determined to get the issue resolved: "I am sure we can work with the agency on this and find a common sense solution."

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