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Controlled Area Notice for Waitakere close to reality

Author
Rosie Gordon,
Publish Date
Mon, 22 Jan 2018, 3:46PM
One of the trees in the ranges suffering from kauri dieback. (Photo / NZ Herald)
One of the trees in the ranges suffering from kauri dieback. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Controlled Area Notice for Waitakere close to reality

Author
Rosie Gordon,
Publish Date
Mon, 22 Jan 2018, 3:46PM

Auckland Council has been talking with the Conservation Minister to discuss a possible Controlled Area Notice in the Waitakere Ranges.

It would mean anyone using tracks in defiance of the ban - aimed at stopping the spread of kauri dieback - could be fined.

The Government indicated shortly before Christmas that they are looking into such a notice. 

Councillor Penny Hulse said there's no timeline for when such a notice could be introduced, with the details yet to be ironed out.

"The last few months this is something that we've been working with DOC on, [but] this is something the government can do but not the council. We're certainly keen on the idea."

The proposal comes a month after the local iwi put a rahui in place over the ranges. It is an unofficial ban that cannot be enforced, but the Te Kawerau a Maki iwi hopes that people respect their wishes. 

Hulse said a lot of people aren't respecting a rahui on the area and Council is getting the blame.

"People feel that the messages are mixed, but we said right prior to Christmas we are really open minded and searching for whatever solutions might work."

Hulse told Mike Hosking in December that a complete ban over the ranges would be expensive and impractical.

 

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