Man pays for damage to Port Hills reserve
A man has paid the Christchurch City Council $402 to repair the damage he caused by cutting unauthorised tracks through the Sugar Loaf Scenic Reserve.
The Council had laid two prosecutions in the District Court against the man in relation to the track cutting, but after meeting him and his legal representatives, it decided to withdraw the prosecutions if he paid for the repairs.
“Park rangers were shocked at the extent of the man’s work. One track was 140m long and the other, which was nearby, was about 550m long,” says Kay Holder, Christchurch City Council Regional Parks Team Leader.
“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 says.
“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.
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