Illegal BMX track may face action

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 4

Illegal BMX track may face action

Legal action may be taken by the Heathcote County Council against the owner of an empty section in Palatine Terrace."St Martins, which is being used as a bicycle moto-cross (BMX) track. Neighbours have written to the council complaining about the noise and dust generated by children using the track. The council has already written to the property owner to say that the track is a breach of town-planning ordinances. '• The council’s works and reserves committee decided last evening to write another letter to advise the owner that if the track was still in use in two weeks time the matter would be put in the hands of the county lawyers. The County Chairman, Mr W. M. Hindmarsh, said that the county needed a BMX track, but a proper site had to be found. The committee's chairman, Cr M. E. Taylor, said that

the case outlined the inadequacy of recreational facilities for children in the county. "These tracks are not very expensive to set up either." she said. The committee agreed that a possible, .site for a "BMX track was in Curries Road. Hillsborough. Cr F. R. Chapman said he would not like to see the owner of the land prosecuted for giving children somewhere to play. Dog dosing Two possible sites for a hydatids dosing strip in Heathcote County are to be referred to the Health Department and the Christchurch Drainage Board for comment. (V The proposed sites are in the HeathcotejValley, near the old site, and a reserve behind the county office. If the latter proves to be satisfactory, the land will

have to be leased from the Christchurch City Council. The county will wait to hear from the two bodies before it makes a decision that can be finalised only after discussion with the Banks Peninsula Hydatids Control Committee.

Cr Taylor said that a dosing strip in the Heathcote Valley would be cheaper because" the old site's drainage was still in place. The county engineer. Mr D. J. May. said that the required site might not have to be as big as first thought, which would keep the cost down.

Mr Hindmarsh said that if only a small site was required the reserve behind the county office would be suitable. "

There are about 850 registered dogs in the county. A letter will be included in the next county bulletin outlining the obligations of dog owners to control their animals.