Step on over to Shelly Bay Road in Beachlands!
One hundred metres of concrete path on Shelly Bay Road is now ready for Beachlands residents to stroll, pace, power walk, strut, march, jog, scooter or bike – just in time for summer.
The newly constructed 1.8-metre-wide path now provides a safer and more weatherproof connection, between 2 Shelly Bay Road and 22 Karaka Road, to Beachlands Road and Karaka Road for parents and children to get to nearby schools.
Franklin Local Board Chair, Alan Cole is happy with how the programme is tracking, despite the slow start.
“We are very pleased with this progress, and may it continue as we maintain our focus on improving Franklin’s connectivity,” says Chair Cole.
“The vision for the Franklin Local Board Targeted Rate Paths Programme is to improve every-day access between communities, schools and transport hubs, support safer journeys and foster an active community and lifestyle for Franklin residents.”
Once the targeted rate programme was approved and the rate was set by Auckland Council’s Governing Body in 2024, funds needed to be collected over the period of 2024/2025 before the programme could move into delivery phase.
At a total construction cost of $89,000, Shelly Bay Road path is the second cab off the rank in the space of a few months, as part of the Franklin Paths Programme.
Franklin Local Board Wairoa representative, Alix Bonnington believes these connections will make a huge difference.
“Having footpaths are a basic amenity for suburban areas such as Beachlands, and these connections will provide options for families to improve their daily commute,” says board member Bonnington.
This new path is the second cab off the rank in the space of a few months as part of the Franklin Paths Programme. The first project, Liberty Cresent path in Liberty Park was completed in October 2025 and will now have additional works to install a crossing to connect Te Puru and Liberty parks for pram and mobility users. The crossing is expected to be completed before Christmas.
With a total of 38 projects prioritised for the programme, it aims to enhance connectivity, promote active travel and support community well-being and climate action through construction and maintenance of new paths and trails in the Franklin area.
The programme focuses on both urban and rural areas, connecting existing paths and the wider public transport network.
Led by the Franklin Local Board, the programme is funded by the Franklin Targeted Rates Paths Programme, which would not exist without active participation of local communities and key stakeholders, and support by Auckland Council and Auckland Transport.
