Comings and Goings brought increased pressure on Christchurch would certainly not be the Committee members in general, and place it is without the backdrop of the , the Society’s Carol Haars the President in particular. It was hills. We are very lucky to have local bodies Secretary/Administrator resigned in therefore agreed that a new position that also recognise this, but we cannot January after seven years in the of part-time ‘Executive Secretary’ be afford to be complacent. With increased position. During this time, Carol has created, and this was advertised in the pressure for development and recreation, been involved in the growth of the press in January. John Goodrich was the work of voluntary organisations such Society’s work, and we would like to appointed, and took up the role in as the Summit Road Society is essential. take this opportunity to thank her for February. John, until the beginning of With my role as Secretary, I hope that I all her hard work and commitment, the year, worked at Lincoln University, can do my bit in helping the Society to and to wish her well for the future. where he was Academic Services continue with its work of reserve Manager. Originally from Sheffield, Graham Densem, who for the last management, track maintenance and three years has been our Environmental and living on the edge of the Peak advocacy” District National Park, John has a firm Adviser and Activities Coordinator, John lives with his wife Liz in Sumner, awareness of the importance of did not seek to renew his contract at and hopes that his new job will allow landscapes such as the Port Hills, and the end of last year. It is Graham’s him time to catch up with some long the pressures on them. initiative and enthusiasm that has seen overdue projects on their house, and the production of recent Newsletters, “I am really thrilled to have been given to do a little more rock climbing, and the initiation of our monthly this opportunity to work for the Summit surfing and bird-watching than he has outings programme. Graham will Road Society. Its achievements in the been able to do in the recent past. He continue to be involved with the conservation of the Port Hills since it was can be contacted on 326 7330, Society, particularly for consultation founded over 50 years ago, are fantastic. or by email at: on resource management issues. Here in Christchurch we have a [email protected] During last year, the Executive tremendous asset, which is so important Committee took stock of the Society’s to the city and the region for its natural work, recognising that the growth has history and recreational value. Annual General Meeting Board & Committee 2003 There was a very good attendance Behind every voluntary organisation is Christchurch City Council (Paul de Spa at the Annual General Meeting a hard working committee. There are from the Spreydon/Heathcote 19th March, where Bob Parker, three main committees in the Society: Community Board and John Freeman Mayor of Banks Peninsula District from the Hagley/Ferrymead Council spoke about his passion The Board Community Board), Banks Peninsula for and commitment to the Port The Board is responsible for the overall District Council (Doug Couch), Selwyn Hills and Banks Peninsula. He governance of the Society, policy and District Council (Bill Woods), and the confirmed his belief that strategy. This comprises of: Department of Conservation (Tony amalgamation with the Maurice McGregor Woods). Christchurch City Council is in President the best interests of his council Vice-President Mike White The Activities and Promotions Committee and the Banks Peninsula This Committee, as its name suggests Treasurer Paul Loughton ratepayers. Of particular interest is responsible for any publicity relating to our members, were the reasons Board Members Barry Gerard to the Society, and the organisation of why a special rural zone to include Anne Kennedy events such as our Outings programme. outstanding landscapes had not Janey Thomas Its members are: Bob Cawley, Graham been created in the proposed John Watson Dunbar, Jim Grennell, John Jameson, District Plan. However, the Mayor Gordon Kirk, Maurice McGregor, Honorary Life Members David Pringle and Janey Thomas reassured us that provisions would John Jameson be made to give protection to the Gordon Kirk Resource Management Group upper slopes of the Port Hills in We are also fortunate to have Gordon Kirk, Joy Burt, Maurice the Lyttelton Harbour basin. representation on the Board from: McGregor and Graham Densem PO Box 17-719, Christchurch www.summitroadsociety.org.nz [email protected] 2 Resource Management Activities not 3000 metres as decided by the Court. The Society has elected not to be involved with the High Court action as it As you will have seen from the press, the Environment involves density of housing within the area allowed for Court did not approve the major housing development urban expansion in the Environment Court decision, not a proposed for Montgomery Spur. This is definitely a boost change in the area proposed for housing. The proceedings for the Society’s Resource Management Group, which, with will not therefore be critical to the Society’s main interest, financial support from many members, put a lot of time which was to maintain the urban edge as low as possible and effort into the case. Our evidence was specifically on the Spur. referred to in Judge Jackson’s deliberations where he stated that the Port Hills identify Christchurch city in the same Despite the favourable decision on Montgomery Spur, and the message that this sends about the importance of the way that Table Mountain does in Cape Town, and Arthur’s landscape, urbanisation continues to ‘creep’ up the Port Seat in Edinburgh, and the harbours define Wellington and Hills. The Society will continue to be involved in issues Auckland. where we consider proposed development is inappropriate, However, we have now received Notice of Appeal to the but this decision has altered the climate somewhat in favour High Court for the rezoning of the lower slopes to enable of natural values, the promoting of which is the Society’s subdivisions with an average size of 750 square metres and prime aim. We recently gave evidence in support of Valerie Campbell’s application to the Environment Court for the Christchurch City Council to impose design constraints on houses being built on Mount Pleasant above the 320 metre contour line. As a result of our objections to a house to be built on Dyers Pass Road above the hairpin bend on the Governors Bay side, mediation has resulted in a covenant in favour of the Society not to subdivide the property, nor to erect additional builidngs without our consent. We have confirmed our objections to the extension of housing on Kennedy’s Bush Road. In the process of preparing the Montgomery Spur submission: Summit Road Society (Inc) Graham Densem, Brian Molloy and Chris Fowler being PO Box 17-719, Christchurch Website: www.summitroadsociety.org.nz shown the Development plan for Montgomery Spur by one Email: [email protected] of the land owners, Harvey Armstrong. President Maurice McGregor 332 0597 Vice-President Mike White 329 9018 Secretary John Goodrich 326 7330 Planning Exercise Treasurer Paul Loughton 322 7082 In 1997, a meeting was held at Living Springs for members to review the Society’s work and achievements, and to discuss Board Members Barry Gerard 326 5105 Anne Kennedy 377 0364 its future direction. Since then, committee members, work John Watson 332 5169 party conveners and other representatives have met each year Janey Thomas 332 5853 to confirm our goals and objectives, and to agree the steps necessary to meet these. This has proved to be an excellent Work Parties opportunity for us to discuss the Society’s work, keep abreast Eastenders John Willocks 384 3252 of new developments, and to plan our work for the coming Kiwigang Anne Henderson 352 8058 year. Ohinetahi Gordon Kirk 332 7134 The 2003 planning session took place on 5 May, and the Development Plan is currently being finalised. If you would Weekenders Jim Grennell 358 4438 like a copy, or have any comments on the Society’s work, We are a voluntary society working to enhance, preserve and protect the natural environment, beauty and open character of the Port Hills of please contact the Secretary. Banks Peninsula for people to enjoy. We need and welcome contributions to our work through memberships, donations and corporate sponsorships, participation in work parties (non- members welcome - but why not join us as well!), and bequests. 3 The next Resource Peninsula Council’s Variation 2 sets moisture allows. Not to mention the out to encourage such developments. fire-risk meantime. If over-grazed, the Management challenges Councils like hearing all the grasslands will become thinned, ‘sympathetic’ and ‘blend in’ words allowing erosion of the unstable loess Banks Peninsula District Plan, that, while well meant, are usually far soils. Many members were present to Variation 2 The November 2002 Newsletter removed from what actually hear the definitive statement by outlined the reasons for our having eventuates. The Montgomery Spur Professor O’Connor on this topic at lodged a submission to the proposed decision may have shifted the balance the 2002 AGM. for larger urban expansions, but the Variation of the Banks Peninsula Plan. There is no single public view of what Society also is going to have to hold There has been no further activity to vegetation cover should prevail on the line against the many small date, but we understand the hearings different parts of the Hills, or of any applications in the foreseeable future, will be held late this year.