‘Goat track’ to be improved

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 9

‘Goat track’ to be improved

Paparua’s Kirk Road will lose its “goat track.” The Paparua Rural District Council agreed yesterday to spend up to $2OOO on what Cr J. S. Kyle called a “goat track." The old footpath along Kirk Road and the grass on and around it will be sprayed and a fine layer of chip laid. This was to determine if there was a need for a footpath, said the chairman, Mr W. J. Baker. If there is not, the council would just let the path go back to grass. Cr J. M. Calvert objected

on tne ground that there was no demand for a footpath by residents who, she said, used alternative transport such as buses. Concern last month by both the Templeton Hospital Board and the Public Service Association prompted the council to investigate the feasibility of a pedestrian link between the township and the hospital. Gorse A resolution of the council last month was rescinded. The council has now de-

cided to allow the Christchurch Airport Authority to leave gorse and broom growing among shelter-belt trees. It is believed that spraying would damage the pine trees before they had the opportunity to become established. Cr Kyle said the council should look upon the decision as an experiment and should also look at the trees’ growth in two to three years, when the gorse and broom would be sprayed again. The shelter-belt trees are on Catchment Board leasehold land in fenced belts.

Thistle A pamphlet identifying nodding thistle, its danger and methods of eradication, will be. distributed to all Paparua’s rural ratepayers. The colourful pamphlet cost just under ?500 to produce. It was also decided to send copies to other local authorities in a bid to recoup costs. An application for a 50 per cent subsidy under the Special Project Scheme has been submitted to the Noxious Plants Council.