Where’s the Chainsaw?

The pace of Henry and Harriet may be slowing but it’s still quicker than our Council and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) move at! Just how long does it take to clear a fallen tree? That’s what Scoop Dogs Henry and Harriet have been pondering. The tree had been leaning for ages and finally collapsed two weeks ago and lies stricken over the walkway next to the Thorndon Motorway between Hill Street and Hawkestone Street.

Somebody official has put some danger ribbon either side to stop people bumping into it as it is right next to a set of steps that are poorly lit at night. It means you can’t use the walkway unless you ignore the signs and clamber over the trunks and branches which isn’t so easy for four-legged Henry and Harriet.

After clambering around the tree two weeks ago we went off to the Wairarapa to plant some trees of our own. We came back to find the danger ribbon still fluttering and the trunk and branches still obstructing the pathway.

My guess is that a chainsaw gang could clear it up in a morning. So why the delay? Maybe WCC and NZTA are arguing who is responsible or perhaps they have employed some consultants to ‘work through the options’ or maybe WREDA is wining and dining some international logging companies?

We noted NZTA has had no problem clearing the rosemary, rambling roses and sycamore saplings (http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=105477) and spraying glyphosate to kill the hebe bushes along the walkway nearby so surely they could remove one fallen tree?

On Monday school holidays end and term begins again. School children and parents will find their walkway to St Mary’s and Sacred Heart schools blocked off.

So come on WCC or NZTA get is sorted! There are loads of Wellington based tree contractors out there who’d surely clear the path in a jiffy.

Neil Douglas is a Wellington based economist and Wairarapa nut farmer

© Scoop Media