New trees project for Duvauchelle

Press, 1 June 1985, Page 9

New trees project for Duvauchelle

A variety of trees will be planted in the Duvauchelle Reserve this winter as part of a new agro-forestry project. The Akaroa County Council approved yesterday the plan for a forestry proposal which will also allow space for grazing. Trees, including Douglas fir, regnan and Pinus radiata, macrocarpa, blackwoods and black walnuts will be planted at, relatively wide spacing in a 10.5 ha area within the reserve. Once the trees are sufficiently established — from three to six years — animals will be allowed to graze on the pasture between them. The trees will take up to 45 years to mature and will be used for furniture making, timber, and conservation. < The County Engineer, Mr K. A. Paulin, said that the trees had to be planted this financial year or else the council would miss a 45 per cent subsidy from the Forest Service. - ■ r

The project is expected to cost $12,000, and will employ one full-time council worker and one subsidised worker. The council also considered a proposal by Mount Herbert County that a joint forestry plantation board be set up to cover Banks Peninsula. The council. decided that it would get its present proposal established before considering further forestry proposals. Cr Robyn Grigg said that it would be important to form a uniform forestry code for Banks Peninsula. Domain hall The proposal for a new community hall and'squash courts in the Duvauchelle showgrounds was given tentative approval yesterday. The council raised no objection to the siting of the proposed complex subject to usual ■ town-planning approval and the agreement of all affected parties. The Duvauchelle Domain

Hall was destroyed by fire last November. The County Clerk, Mr Lyn Graham, said the Duvauchelle Domain Board had considered three other sites before selecting the showgrounds. The proposed complex would be sited over a steep bank, with the hall at the top and squash courts Underneath. It would not encroach on pony club land, he said. Mr Graham said that tentative approval was necessary so that the board could discuss the proposal with various affected groups and the public. There had been some talk of establishing squash courts in Akaroa, he said. If this happened the board would amend its plans and build a community hall only. It would be at least 12 months before the board could act on the proposals, he said. Cost estimates ranged from $250,000 to