‘Be patient,’ says council

Press, 5 December 1979, Page 6

‘Be patient,’ says council

Critics of the Horseshoe Lake restoration project should be patient members 'of the Christchurch City Council were told yesterday. Trees were removed and! wildlife disturbed when the lake channel was widened to I make room for Dudley Creek) flood-relief work. Members of the parks and recreation committee were told by local residents that the main concern was for the wildlife preserve. Although the swampy area was relat-i ively inaccessible before con-! struction work, even trail bikes could reach the lake! now through Liggins, Parish and Reaby streets. i

Residents wanted barriers) at the ends of the three streets, something the council has already planned. They also asked for proper culverts to the lake, and the planting of native trees and shrubs. “While the area has been) devastated, I am confident it will be restored,” said the) Director of Parks and Re-[ serves (Mr N. W. Drain). The channel widening had! required a considerable number of trees to be removed, he said, but some of those had to be removed because hey were obstructing the waterway. Keeping it clear was a statutory requirement.

Because restoration and development of the reserve was a long-term exercise, it should be seen in perspective.

“Much of the vegetation will recover,” said Mr Drain. In the future, the Christchurch Drainage Board needed dragline access along the channel so that it could be dredged. There was still considerable work to be done. “Give it a little time, and see the result,” said Mr Drain. When a management plan for the reserve is drawn up, the views of Horseshoe Lake i residents will be sought.