Noxious plants

Press, 8 July 1986, Page 20

Noxious plants

Sir,—Much of the Port Hills area within the boundaries of Christchurch City is gradually becoming overrun with gorse and broom. Little effort has been made by most occupiers to do anything about controlling the spread of these two noxious plants on their properties. The council’s own Parks and Recreation Department is one of the worst offenders, growing hemlock as well as gorse and broom in the Barnett Park walkway area. Gorse and broom are growing along property boundaries within the 10m strip which the council’s noxious plants programme states much be kept clear. Occupiers will continue to ignore warnings to control noxious plants, knowing full well that noxious plants officers never get the support they need to take legal action against offenders. Indeed, until the council gets its own department to set an example, there is not much chance of getting other occupiers to take any action. — Yours, etc., A. J. EBERT. May 28, 1986.

[Mr J. H. Gray, Town Clerk, replies: “Over the years we have been clearing infestations of hemlock, gorse and broom at Barnett Park, both by hand and by means of chemical control. However, because of the topography and size of the park, the task is a major one and up until now it has not been possible to maintain total control of these noxious plants. The areas referred to have been noted for attention and will be dealt with as soon as practicable. The council has an ongoing policy of planting native flora in the park, particularly along the western side of the valley, and while this should eventually suppress many of the noxious plants, control in the meantime is difficult because of the risk of spray damage to the native plantings.”]