Conservation area just an hour from Chch

A new conservation area is to be established in the Kate Valley, just an hour out of Christchurch.

Landfill company Transwaste Canterbury Limited, recently unveiled its plan to create the 410 hectare area, to be known as Tiromoana Bush. The area will consist mostly of coastal and lowland forest, with a new 12 hectare wetland, which will be open to the public and protected forever. Transwaste believes it will become a national treasure.

“Tiromoana Bush will be a fabulous resource for all of Canterbury. It offers huge opportunities in terms of biodiversity, conservation, education, recreation and public access,” says Christchurch City Councillor Denis O’Rourke, who chairs the Canterbury Waste Subcommittee.

Tiromoana Bush is being created on some of the private land Transwaste purchased for the regional landfill.

“This is a multi-million dollar native bush restoration and an extraordinarily generous move by Transwaste, which could easily have put the area into production forest or continued farming it and made money,” says Mr O’Rourke.

A public walking track circumnavigating Tiromoana Bush will be established in 2005.

“The three-to-four hour walk will take in spectacular views of Pegasus Bay, coastal cliffs, valley floors, the wetlands and bush areas. It will also provide foot access to parts of the adjacent DoC managed Ella Peak Scenic Reserve which, being so remote, has been virtually inaccessible to the public,” advises Mr O’Rourke.

He expects Christchurch ratepayers will gain much from having Tiromoana Bush — which is around five times larger than Hagley Park — on their doorstep.

“There are very few conservation areas of this size so close to the city. This will be a place where Christchurch people can escape the hustle and bustle, spend a few hours walking around native bush appreciating the wildlife and the views. Afterwards, there are other attractions in the area, such as the wineries, which will cap off a truly rewarding day trip.”

“Our region is gaining an incredible resource, at no expense to any of our ratepayers. All costs will be factored into the fees collected by Transwaste for waste disposal at the landfill. This is a win-win situation for the whole Canterbury community,” says Mr O’Rourke.