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45 days ago

Waimakariri council backtracks on proposed dog ban in local estuary

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A rivercare group is frustrated at a council backtrack on a proposed dog ban on the Ashley River estuary.

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group operations manager Grant Davey says provisions in a new Waimakariri District Council bylaw will ‘‘do little’’ to protect threatened native birds in the Ashley Rakahuri River and Saltwater Creek estuary.

The council has taken on board the concerns of hunters and reversed a proposal to ban hunting dogs from the Ashley River estuary during duck shooting season.

A new clause allows Fish and Game hunting license holders to use dogs in a reduced area of the estuary during the gamebird hunting season.

The new Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw was adopted last week and governs what activities are allowed on the district’s beaches.

Another change allows dogs to be on a leash on the seaward facing side of the spit, north of the Waikuku northern car park and south of the Ashley Rakahuri River.

Aircraft will also be allowed to land and take off in the area under a new user agreement to be signed between the council and the Canterbury Recreational Aircraft Club.

All open air fires and fireworks will be banned in the bylaw area.

Davey said he believed the majority of dog owners will not comply with the requirement for dogs to be on a leash.

‘‘We thought by trying to get a dog ban in place and a plane ban, these were things which could be done.

‘‘I know enforcement is not easy and I know the councils don’t have excess funds, but somebody needs to come up with the money.

‘‘I don’t believe the changes are going to be of any use, as the current dog system is routinely flouted.’’

He said Environment Canterbury rangers did a good job in approaching rule breakers, but were not available often enough.

Davey said recreational aircraft regularly flew well below 150 metres, some as low as 20 or 30 metres above the ground and caused disturbance to the birds.

‘‘Recreational vehicle use is not allowed, so how can you land a recreational plane on the beach.’’

He said he had taken numerous photos of birds being disturbed by low-flying planes.

Davey said he was not aware of any issues with hunting dogs.

Fish and Game North Canterbury had earlier expressed frustration at the initial proposal to ban hunting dogs, when the consultation was announced.

Game bird specialist Matt Garrick said the duck shooting season did not overlap with the nesting season.

‘‘We wrote a submission related to the use of dogs for hunting and went to the hearing.’’

He was aware council staff had recommended changes to align the use of hunting dogs with Environment Canterbury’s hunting area maps.

Councillor Al Blackie chaired the hearing committee and said the issue of dogs on the estuary was always going to be ‘‘controversial’’.

‘‘I’ve already heard from people who said they won’t comply with it.
‘‘It is probably an another generational thing. It will probably take 10 years for it to sink in.’’

Blackie said the aircraft clause had attracted little reaction ‘‘as they manage themselves’’.

‘‘The only concern was with the landing and staff are working on a user agreement.’’

The estuary is home to threatened bird species including wrybills, black-bill gulls, banded dotterels, black-fronted terns and pied oystercatchers, some of which are endangered.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're 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 ⬇️

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The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.

What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?

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When should the tree go up? 🎄
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5 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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