A miscount over the number of pine trees in the Papamoa Hills Park means the park is going to remain closed to the public for at least another two months.

Fulton Hogan has advised Bay of Plenty Regional Council that the timeframe for completion of their logging operation has been extended due to harvest quantities exceeding the pre harvest calculations, says Kaituna Catchments Manager Pim de Monchy.

'The main access track will be re-instated and a re-opening date set as soon as we regain access to the car park and main track area, which is on land leased from Fulton Hogan.

'That means that the Poplar Lane access re-opening date is now likely to be sometime in April.

'This delay is disappointing but it means the logging operation can still be completed during summer when there's least risk of sediment run-off into waterways. It also avoids the need for additional closures in future.”

Updates will be posted at www.boprc.govt.nz/papamoahills when further information is available.

The main access track and surrounding areas of Papamoa Hills Regional Park has been closed to the public since October 5, 2016.

The original expectation was that the park would be re-opening about now.