Public invited to give feedback on planting at Half Mile reserve
The Central Otago District Council (CODC) is keen to talk to people about the type of planting that could be done at the Half Mile Recreation Reserve, ready for when the restoration project moves into the planting phase in about a year’s time.
CODC Community Experience Group Manager David Scoones is looking forward to getting more feedback from the community.
“We’ve had some excellent feedback already from the community from things like tree ratios, to different varieties of trees, through to someone who recalls visiting the reserve in the 1950s as a child to view the night lights, so a huge thank you everyone who has either popped in to see the team or sent through a message with their ideas, and we’d love to hear more.
“We have a plan in place to get planting from mid-2024 on this beautiful site, to show off its natural landscape and historic features, and to protect and create more habitat for special creatures like the lizards and native birds. There are some key aspects of the landscape plan that people will be able to provide feedback on, and get involved in.”
The landscape plan currently shows areas for shelter trees both along the boundary and throughout the reserve.
“While there were some initial ideas about the types of species, we would like to hear your feedback. For example, Kowhai and Hoheria are some of the varieties of shade trees that have been suggested and we’re keen to hear what people think of these varieties or any other ideas they might have that would also provide a similar amenity to the reserve,” he said.
The Half Mile reserve will be officially closed from 1-25 June, with felling of wilding conifers expected to start 6 June.
“We realise and acknowledge that although we will be ensuring that the felling crew will leave the site tidy, it’s not going to look pretty for a while, and this is where we need to keep an eye to the overall vision for this reserve and be realistic about Rome not being built in a day.
“We have a good understanding from our Parks and Recreation team as well as other local specialists of what will grow at the Half Mile, bearing in mind that although we can assist with irrigation, this is a semi-arid landscape, so realistically, we will be suggesting some drought-resistant options.”
The Council has reached out to various community groups it has previously engaged with over the past two years, for a personal drop-in with key staff members.
“We’re looking at holding more drop-in sessions, where people can come in and talk to us about what they’d like to see from the plant palette that we we’ll provide some visuals for. We’re also looking at ways people
can engage online through the Let’s Talk Half Mile project page, so they can list their plant preference. That way we can get a good consensus of opinion.
“We’d also like to reassure the public that a lot of thought and planning has gone into the felling operation, and site safety. Naturally, some people might feel strongly about the operation, or experience a sense of loss.
Some people might have a connection to this site that dates back to before there were trees, to people who have recently moved to the area, through to some who might be keen to get on with it and get involved in some of the initiatives we’ve suggested in the landscape plan, such as the Trees for Babies and the Citizens Trees site.”
People might also be concerned about their children or members of the public wandering onto the reserve out of habit or curiosity, he said.
“The reserve will be closed in June for public safety. The felling operator will also have signs up and working through the site in sections throughout the operation. There will be spotters present and Council staff and contractors will be keeping a close eye on the reserve by making regular patrols day and night. This isn’t intended as a heavy-handed approach; it’s more about public safety, and to have conversations.”
All works will be undertaken to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act, he said.
“With the wilding conifers being felled there is further thought and ideas coming from the community about how the reserve can be used into the longer term and we look forward to sharing these once we’ve compiled them all.”
To see the updated Half Mile Recreation Reserve Development Plans go to: Half Mile Wilding Conifer Removal and Restoration | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz)
