Forest roads closed by staff cuts

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 2

Forest roads closed by staff cuts

Staff cuts at the Ashley State forest have meant roads through the forest have had to be closed to the public, and walkways at Mount Grey can now be reached only by a longer network of public roads. In a letter to “The Press,” Mrs Paula Groufsky said she had been “thoroughly disillusioned” on a recent visit to the forest to find that since the take-over by the Forestry Corporation access to the walkways .was no longer allowed via the forest “When forestry workers, P.E.P. workers, and environmentalists have put so much energy, and money into developing these natural wonderlands so that one and all could enjoy the scenic wonders it seems inappropriate that private enterprise can destroy the availability so easily,” she said. ' The walkways now come under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Department The district manager of the Forestry Corporation in Canterbury, Mr Roger

Washbourn, said the roads had been closed because staffing levels could no longer ensure the protection of the forest if they remained open to the public. "Each of the four North Canterbury forests used to have 10 to 15 workers, but this has been cut to four. They have the same workload but there are fewer of them to keep an eye on things,” said Mr Washbourn. ' access , in Hanmer State forest, had not been affected as most of the walkways were round the Conservation Department’s information centre. . > Mr Washbourn said the -production. part ot . Jh<? Ashley forest had been closed to everyone except workers, because protection could >not be ensured by four people,). It; meant getting to the Mount Grey picnic area and to the walkways was not as direct as it used to be, said Mr Washbourn. The direct route probably took about 25 minutes; the longer route: of public roads would take up to 50 minutes.