A number of large trees and vegetation will be removed from Mount Drury in the coming weeks due to council concerns about public safety and drug use.
Tauranga City Council will undertake a vegetation enhancement and weed control project along the Pacific Avenue boundary of the reserve from next week.
The Pacific Avenue area of Mount Drury to be worked on by Tauranga City Council arborists. Photo: Tracy Hardy.
A map of the vegetation area to be cleaned up.
Along with removing agapanthus and vegetation around the public toilets, four large trees – two pine trees and two redwood trees – will be removed as well as trees and shrubs adjacent to Pacific Ave and the summit.
Tauranga City Council parks coordinator of arboriculture, Joshua Trafford, says the project is a result of concerns about public safety, the use of drugs and homeless people using the reserve in the upcoming summer months.
'In the summer time there is some homeless activity through there and there is a lot of material from sleeping bags, mattresses and drug paraphernalia,” says Joshua.
'By increasing the visibility from top to bottom we are looking to reduce that.”
Council's aim is to make the reserve feel safer, discourage undesirable activities, promote views of the reserve's natural features and remove weeds from the reserve.
'It is not super drastic stuff. It's just opening it up and tidying it up making more of a pleasant area for people to visit.”
The works will be undertaken during working hours from 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday – and at times may involve the use of noisy machinery such as chainsaws and chippers. The tender and quotation process for the work closes tomorrow.
The project is expected to run until the first week of December.
In addition to the vegetation enhancement works, council intend to make additional improvements to Mount Drury Reserve in 2014.
Two key projects are the resurfacing and extension of the wooden steps to the summit of Mount Drury from Maunganui Road and the extension of the footpath along the reserve side of Pacific Ave linking Maunganui Road to Marine Parade.
4 comments
Too bad if you are a resident with real concerns!
Posted on 31-10-2013 12:51 | By Murray.Guy
Too bad if a tree represents a real and ever present risk to your property and occupants, is constantly impacting on your home and or your ability to maintain it, is destroying footpaths and infrastructure - because the Mayor and staff will tell you the offending trees are critical to 'well-being and greening' of our city. Perhaps affected residents should include assertions that the homeless are receiving shade and shelter, that illegal drug use may have taken place in the privacy that the trees afford, that the trees are in a reserve!
Overit
Posted on 31-10-2013 13:00 | By overit
Here we go again. Paranoia about trees, reminiscent of Coronation Parks big chop. Send the homeless people packing-leave the trees alone.
Consultation
Posted on 31-10-2013 14:22 | By Jitter
Has there been any consultation with the ratepaters about this ? There should be as Crosby has said that the new council is going to be open in all matters. Probably doesn't need to consult anyone on this as there are no "Maori" involved !!!!!
@Jitter
Posted on 01-11-2013 10:03 | By Sambo Returns
do not be to sure!!!! as not all the homeless are "honkies".
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