MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 9 May 2005

Council fines man for cutting tracks in Port Hills

A man has been fined $400 by the Christchurch City Council for cutting unauthorised tracks through Sugar Loaf Scenic Reserve.

The money will be used to pay for repairs to the Reserve, which will include replanting native bush and blanking out parts of the tracks

“Park rangers were shocked at the extent of the man’s work. One track was 140 metres long and the other, which was nearby, was about 550 metres long,” Christchurch City Council Regional Parks team leader, Kay Holder said.

“To make the tracks, the man cut through numerous flax, kanuka and other native plants, which are protected under the Reserves Act. One of our concerns was that the tracks were poorly built and people would be at risk in steep and exposed areas of the reserve. It could have been disastrous if people had started using them,” she said.

“The reserve has a good network of existing tracks that allow people to safely enjoy the scenic reserve. Even with the best intentions, it is not OK for people to go cutting up parts of the Port Hills. The Council’s park rangers work hard at looking after this area and regularly offer the opportunity for volunteers to assist in planting, track construction and maintenance ."

The public was also able to comment recently on the provision of tracks and recreation facilities on the Port Hills, through the Port Hills Recreation Strategy.

ENDS

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