A new track is under construction through the Magnolia gully at McLaren Falls Park.

The work is being undertaken at weekends and is being done by people serving community services sentences.

A magnolia tree.

Owing to the weekend-work-only nature of the construction, the Tauranga City Council is advising that it will take several weeks to complete.

It is hoped the construction will be complete in time for the full bloom of the Magnolias, as they are starting to bloom.

This information from Tauranga City Council weekly bulletin for the week beginning Monday, July 18, published below.

City Waters

Southern Pipeline:

• By the end of July the contractors should have most of the pipeline in the ground ready for pressure testing. The various sections will still need to be connected. The rest of this year's contract will focus on work at Memorial Park where the pipeline is being connected to the existing pump station.

Drainage

• Three reported sewer blockages were attended to this week. These were all local property incidents in Hynds Road, Maunganui Road and Harvey Street with no overflow to waterways.
• Wastewater main replacement work in Vale Road from Landscape Road towards Grange Road continues.

Stormwater Pollution:

• Information signs have started to be installed at various high profile stormwater reserves around the city. There are six sets of four signs to be installed at Matua Saltmarsh, Papamoa and Gordon Carmichael Reserve.
• Several pollution incidents were reported to council this week. Three involving sediment run-off, one diesel spill and one involving washing out of wheelie bins to stormwater. These were all fairly minor.

Parks and Leisure

• Construction of the new car park at the visitor centre should start this week.
• Ignoring the rain, we completed three days (six classes) of Learning Through Discovery bush classes this week.

City Projects

TECT Arena at Baypark

• The TECT Arena at Baypark will be officially opened on 25 August. An opening ceremony will be held on that day for sports users, funders and project participants.
• The first major use of the Arena will be for the AIMs Games, 28 August - 2 September. With something for everyone, the opening month of events celebrates and showcases the diversity of the Arena. The community will be invited to join in a public open day on Saturday 3rd September from 12pm to 3pm.

Transportation

• Devonport Road: Southern Pipeline pipe laying and reinstatement work is occurring on Devonport Road between 17th and 18th Avenues. Lane restrictions may be in place from time to time.
• Domain Road/Tara Road intersection: Construction activity for the Tauranga Eastern Link continues in this area. A permanent 50km/hr speed restriction is in place. Motorists are advised to take care when driving through the area.
• Fraser Street: Southern Pipeline pipe laying is progressing past Fraser Cove, heading towards Merivale. Most of the work is occurring off the road so disruption to traffic should be minimal.
• Hamilton Street: Work to construct new a footpath on Hamilton Street between Durham Street and Willow Street is due to start on 25 July. The new footpath will be built on the same side of the road as the Kingsview Apartments. Disruption to traffic is expected to be minimal.
• Howell Place: Road works are continuing. Motorists are reminded to access Howell Place via the new link from 16th Avenue.
• Parton Road: Construction activity for the Tauranga Eastern Link continues. A temporary 30km/hr speed restriction is in place Monday - Saturday from 6am to 6pm. A manual stop/go control will be used when large trucks need to cross Parton Road. Expect minor delays and please take care when driving in the area.
• SH 2A: Work to reconstruct the section of highway from under the Route K over bridge to the Takitimu Drive over bridge near 15th Avenue continues. Expect delays at peak times.
• Tara Road: Work to build a new roundabout is underway at the intersection of Tara Road and Parton Road. Please take care and expect delays.

Venues & Events

Baycourt Community & Arts Centre

• Monday 18 July – Sunday 24 July - 'Tauranga Performing Arts Competition”. Showcasing performances across eight art forms; Ballet, Tap, Dancing, Modern Dance, Speech and Drama, Singing, Piano, Instrumental and Highland National Dancing. Admission is a gold coin donation of $2 per adult & $1 per child per session (3 sessions per day) payable at the door.