Safety changes: New fence, and other changes, to improve safety

You may have noticed a number of recent changes made near the port beach this summer to improve safety. Over the coming months, we are making more changes to support safe access to the beach and Napier Port:

New fence to be installed between beach and main office. Despite permanently closing our boat ramp in November, people continue to use the ramp and our car park. We’ve seen further incidents in the area, including children running and playing near moving vehicles.

To make a clear distinction between the port – a high-risk and busy environment – and the beach, we’re installing a 1.8 metre fence from the old boat ramp down to the rail track and a footpath to improve access.

The community can continue to access to the beach along the seaward side of the fence. However, the port side of the fence will be for port business only.

More signage. So you know where you can relax and where it’s strictly business, we’ll be adding more signs to indicate areas that are for port business only.

Secure access into the port area. We’ll install a gate along the new fence for pedestrians accessing the port that will require swipe card access. If you’re walking, or biking, and visiting a member of our team on port-related business, we’ll arrange access beforehand or you can give our team a call to let you in. We’re also looking at installing barrier arms at the vehicle entrance to the port’s main office.

Other upcoming changes, including a new picnic area
We welcome community use of the beach and support safe access and enjoyment through ongoing re-nourishment and maintenance of the beach as well as providing facilities, such as the shower and an upcoming picnic area. We’ll continue to look at ways we can enhance the safety of the area for this valued community asset.

View changes here.

Thank you for your cooperation with these important safety changes
If you have any questions about these changes please email healthandsafety@napierport.co.nz