a passion for the Port Hills Newsletter, Summer 2015 From the Secretary Happy New Year to all Society members and supporters. As you will see from this newsletter, things have been as busy as ever for the Society over the second half of 2014. As well as all the routine business that crosses my desk, this year, we will be looking at ways to raise the profile of the Society, to increase membership and to keep members better informed of our activities, and carrying out a review of the website. Membership numbers dropped slightly last year, but are still reasonably healthy, particularly taking account of the tramping clubs, walking groups and other organisations that are members. You can do your bit to help by renewing your subscription if it is due this year, and talking to family, friends and colleagues about the Society and its work. Over-40s Tramping Club Omahu update Ohinetahi update Gibraltar Rock was first on a list of the five top picnic spots in the 5 December issue of the Christchurch Press. I am sure that anyone Work also goes on at Ohinetahi, and the reserve continues to who knows Omahu Bush and Gibraltar Rock will agree. improve thanks to Mother Nature helped on her way by our small team of volunteers. By way of example, when the majority of the The small group of volunteers led by Paul Tebbutt continues reserve was officially opened by Hon. Ruth Dyson MP in April (see to work on the reserve making sure the tracks are in order and the last newsletter), the speakers had to compete with the noise of continuing the long process of clearing gorse. It is now accepted at least eight bellbirds. There is also an interesting development that gorse is useful as a nursery crop to allow native plants to here as a new course, “Field Ecology Methods” is being introduced germinate, which then over time outgrow the gorse. However at Lincoln University, and students will be carrying out field work there are many areas on the reserve where we really need to get and collecting data at the reserve. Over time this should provide rid of it. There are also a couple of interesting developments on valuable information about the flora and fauna. We haven’t had the animal pest control front. Landcare Research is trialling a new the opportunity to have a detailed risk assessment done of the rat trap design. After determining that we have enough rats there part of the reserve that is still closed, and as a first step we are to warrant a trial, they have installed 200 traps! It will certainly be hoping to deal with our infamous ‘dangerous boulder’, but given interesting to see the results. You may have seen an article in a the cost there is still a bit of ‘head-scratching’ going on. At least recent edition of the NZ Listener about the possum and mustelid word is obviously getting round as in November Anne Kennedy traps produced by a company called Goodnature which have was pleased to see the first walking group through the reserve had extensive field trials leading to a number of modifications for a long time. and which are used by the Department of Conservation, and locally by the Port Hills Rangers. When the trap is triggered by an animal taking bait, a gas canister releases a lethal bolt which kills instantly. Whilst they are quite expensive, the advantage is that they can dispatch 12 possums or 18 stoats or rats before the canister needs changing, so can cut down significantly on the time spent checking and managing traps. They are not the answer to pest control prayers, but are a valuable addition to the armoury. Courtesy of the grant awarded to us by Selwyn District Council we have bought 10 traps. See page 8 for latest news. Finally, orchids! Paul Tebbutt now notices native orchids wherever he goes on the Port Hills and spends a lot of time running between our volunteers making sure none are destroyed! (Please see the separate article.) Pterostylis banksii PO Box 17-719, Christchurch www.summitroadsociety.org.nz [email protected] 2 Eastenders The Eastenders continued to meet regularly during the second half of last year, working at Rapanui Bush, Jollies Bush and Scott’s Reserve, on the Captain Thomas Track, and have helped with the construction of a new section of track near the Tors. Numbers are still good, with a couple of new members joining recently. Summit Road opening We were delighted that the final section of the Summit Road from the Mt Cavendish saddle through to the Bridle Path was reopened for pedestrians and cyclists just before Christmas. Our friends from the Port Hills Rangers see this as a big milestone and the culmination of a massive effort by the City Council and specialist contractors to bring back all the recreational opportunities available before the earthquakes. As indicated in the last newsletter the status of this section of the road will be reviewed in 2016. Summit Road Society (Inc) PO Box 17-719, Christchurch Website: www.summitroadsociety.org.nz Email: [email protected] President Bill Woods 03 318 4825 Vice-President Jeremy Agar 328 9956 Secretary John Goodrich 326 3035 Treasurer Paul Loughton 322 7082 Board Members Hamish Grant 928 2456 Anne Kennedy 337 0364 Paul Tebbutt 384 3086 Honorary Life Member John Jameson 354 5925 Representatives Selwyn District Council Grant Miller 03 329 6123 Hagley/Ferrymead Islay McLeod 389 0954 Lyttelton/Mt Herbert Paula Smith 03 329 4445 THOMASGRAPHIK Spreydon/Heathcote Melanie Coker 669 0336 Port Hills Rangers Paul Devlin 332 5627 Eastenders work party Paul Tebbutt 384 3086 DESIGN: Ohinetahi work party Anne Kennedy 337 0364 Omahu Bush work party Paul Tebbutt 384 3086 We are a voluntary society working to enhance, preserve and protect the natural environment, beauty and open character of the Port Hills of Banks Peninsula for people to enjoy. JOHN GOODRICH We need and welcome contributions to our work through memberships, donations and corporate sponsorships, participation in work parties PHOTO: ROSS YOUNGER (non-members welcome - but why not join us as well!), and bequests. Before (2013), another section of closed road. For good reason! EDITOR: 3 Christchurch Adventure Park, Cashmere Valley The park has been the subject of a number of recent reports in The proposals attracted a lot of interest and there were over 600 the local media. In summary, the proposal by Select Evolution submissions. Of these, only 32 were in opposition, and were Holdings (NZ) Ltd is for around 100km of mountain-bike track mainly concerning specific issues such as traffic generation. catering for beginners to experts, with a 1.8km chair-lift to take The Society made a submission and appeared at the hearing. riders to the top of the site. There will also be a learning skills We were in favour of the proposal, but wanted to be satisfied area with a jump park and pump track, seven zip-lines (flying that measures would be taken to minimise the visual impact foxes) up 750m long, and a ‘mountain-coaster’ rail luge. As a of structures on the site, appropriate landscaping, mitigation commercial venture, there will be a charge to use the chair-lift, and reinstatement planting will take place, ecologically sensitive zip-lines and mountain-coaster, but the proposal is to allow free areas are protected, and that conditions would be imposed access from existing walkways and bike tracks in the area such to ensure that the site will be managed appropriately. In the as Worsley’s Track and Victoria Park. At the bottom of the site event, it became apparent at the hearing that our concerns were will be offices, restaurant and some lodge-style accommodation. largely similar to many identified by the City Council and had The site has an interesting history. Since the early 1980s, been addressed by the applicants in a mutually agreed long list commercial forestry was developed. In 2002 the owners put of conditions. the land on the market, and the Port Hills Park Trust Board considered options for developing a forest park there resulting in a development plan in 2008 comprising a mix of forestry operations with walking/cycling tracks and other activities. However after lengthy negotiations, no agreement was reached. Select Evolution, which has experience of running this sort of the facility, then became involved. The company has now reached an agreement for a lease of the site, with the owners retaining the rights to continue to operate their forestry business. Select Evolution hope to have the park open later this year. The resource consent application was publicly notified, a hearing took place on 24–26 November and consent has now been granted. A comprehensive set of conditions had already been agreed between the Council and the applicant covering a whole range of issues, including hours of operation, noise, hazard management, earthworks, waterways, stormwater, landscape planting and habitat protection—36 pages in total. The boundary (in red) of the new Christchurch Adventure Park. Over the past 30 years, Cashmere Valley has undergone a visual transformation from tawny tussocked hills to the deep green of a commercial plantation forest. It is about to undergo another change; for the recreational benefit of many. A copy of the approved consent can be seen on the City Council website: www.ccc.govt.nz/CCC.Web.Projectinfo/cityleisure/projectstoimprovechristchurch/projectinformation/ projectsearch/projectview.aspx?projectid=4716 4 Native orchids on the Port Hills The following is an article by Gordon Sylvester from the New whereas the green form looked drab beside its companion.