Kid You Not: We’re upgrading the Goat Track!

From Tuesday 12 March, the access to Ōpunakē Beach (off Bowen Crescent) known as the ‘Goat Track’ will be closed so the pathway can be upgraded.

Council’s community development advisor Fran Levings says the current track has missing or rotten steps, is narrow and slippery, and steep in areas due to erosion.

"Locally, this trail is known as the 'Goat Track,' although not everyone knows of it,” she says. “This upgrade presents a good opportunity to provide clear directions to and from the trail, by extending the path at the top and bottom to improve connectivity between the township and the beach."

$46,000 was ringfenced for this project as part of Ōpunakē Beach Masterplan.

Over the next four weeks (weather dependant), local contractors will be:

• constructing a new path with boxed steps and centred railing, creating a kerb and channel for better water flow.
• Adding a new landing and rail near the end of Beach Road (at the turn around).
• Clearing the drain and installing a new culvert.
• Creating a better entrance for the track, separate from the road at the top and from the bottom.

“We look forward to when the Goat Track upgrade has been completed and we can offer better and safer access to our Beach," says Fran.