Spray operations prompt temporary Te Awa closures

The new Grassroots Trust Velodrome to Hooker Rd section of Te Awa River Ride will be temporarily closed on occasion while a neighbouring business undertakes horticultural spraying.

Genesis Nurseries Limited, who have fruit tree nurseries on neighbouring properties undertake routine horticultural spraying beside the shared path.

The spray programme is undertaken on an ‘as needed’ basis, when identitified through careful monitoring of the tree crops, said Genesis Nurseries Limited Chief Executive Officer, Derek Edwards.

“Spraying takes place to control pests and maintain plant health. It’s part of a wider programme that includes plant husbandry, fertiliser and nutrient management and has a focus on ensuring plants can grow true to natural form and free from any disease or pest.”

Edwards advised the spraying is expected to take place approximately half a dozen times between March and September 2022 when the crop reaches maturity, with the first scheduled to take place next week.

“Genesis Nurseries has a very clear focus on ensuring the safety of the Te Awa River Ride users and will need to close the track to public access from time to time while spraying takes place in order to do so.”

“Spraying is also under local authority guidelines and compliance regulations are strictly adhered to that ensure the safety of the public and areas adjacent to the spraying, of which Te Awa River Ride is in proximity.”

Spraying will take place on a 50m stretch approximately 1km north of the Velodrome and a 500m section of track immediately prior to the Hooker Road entrance, heading north.

Waipā District Council’s Strategic Partnerships Manager Gary Knighton said the closures would only affect a short portion of the new Waipā section of Te Awa River Ride, for a short period of time.

“Such is the nature of having working farms and businesses beside Te Awa River Ride, however while this is a slight inconvenience, it won’t be for long and users will be able to continue as normal once the spray operations are complete,” said Knighton.

Public notices of the upcoming spray operation dates will be posted with 48 hours notice on the Waipā District Council and Te Awa River Ride websites, and the Waikato and Waipā District Council and Te Awa River Ride Facebook pages. Spraying is limited to take place between 8am and 4pm from Monday to Friday, with no spraying on weekends or public holidays.

Signs will also be erected on Te Awa River Ride notifying the start and finish of the temporary closure section and spray operators will open and close the signs to notify users of the shared path’s status.

Waipā District Council is also scheduling a temporary closure for 16-18 March on a small section of Te Awa River Ride between Gaslight Theatre and the Grassroots Trust Velodrome to remove exotic pine and gum trees as apart of ecological compliance for the upcoming C3 development stormwater works. The closure will be notified at waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/alerts and facebook.com/WaipaDistrictCouncil.