Poll: Should a 4WD drive ban on the Ashley Rakahuri River be extended?
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A 4WD ban on a North Canterbury river during bird nesting season could be extended.
The Waimakariri District Council will consider a proposal from the Department of Conservation (DOC) to close the upper Ashley Rakahuri River to vehicles while birds are nesting.
Mayor Dan Gordon said he has requested staff to prepare a report for next month’s council meeting, after DOC staff addressed the council recently.
‘‘I have requested a report from staff to outline what options are available.’’
The lower Ashley River from the confluence of the Okuku River to the mouth, which is managed by Environment Canterbury, already has a vehicle ban during nesting season.
DOC manages the upper section of the river, from the confluence to the Ashley Gorge.
A DOC spokesperson said the legislation allowed it to close off the upper section completely to all users.
But it would prefer the Waimakariri District Council ‘‘to close the river as a road from next year’’, during the nesting season.
The river is home to several braided river species with many of them endangered, including wrybills, black-bill gulls, banded dotterels, black-fronted terns and pied oystercatchers.
The upper section of the river is also home to ‘‘one of the last strongholds of native biodiversity on the Canterbury plains’’, the spokesperson said.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group has previously expressed concerns, saying people drive around nesting sites with no regard for the welfare of threatened species of birds.
Volunteers were out in force during Crate Day last November, to protect the birds from revelers out in their 4WDs.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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90% Yes
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10% No
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
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