Closed tracks in Waitākere Ranges Regional Park to reopen over next five years

Thursday, 6 June 2019

Park rangers and contractors are working to reopen the Kitekite track in the wake of the kauri dieback track closures (video first published December 2018).

More than 35 tracks through kauri forests in the Waitākere Ranges are to be upgraded and reopened over the next five years.

The forested areas of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park have been closed since last year because of the extensive spread of kauri dieback disease.

But Auckland Council has confirmed track reopening would go ahead from 2019 to 2024 following public consultation earlier this year.

It comes just one week after more Auckland tracks and parks were closed due to the kauri dieback threat.

Closed tracks in the Waitākere Ranges are set to reopen over the next five years thanks to funding from the $311 million natural environment targeted rate.

* West Aucklanders face $20,000 fine for walking dogs in bush closed over kauri dieback

* Proposal put forward to open more tracks in Auckland regional park plagued with kauri dieback**

Clark Bush Track is not currently included in Auckland Council's upgrades of tracks in the Waitākere Ranges.

'We are pleased to confirm the work programme through to 2024 and look forward to continuing to upgrade tracks to kauri-safe standard,' regional parks manager Rachel Kelleher said.

'Our focus has always been providing the best possible balance between kauri protection and recreation and we believe this will be delivered.'

The council held public consultation in March to gauge feedback on prioritising 29 tracks identified for reopening and upgrade.

The consultation was in response to significant public demand for recreational opportunity in the Waitākere Ranges and community expectations further tracks would reopen.

The presence of kauri dieback disease saw tracks in the Waitākere Ranges closed in 2018.

At the time, the proposal was criticised by conservation group The Tree Council, who believed the proposed time frame was too small to 'get it right'.

Dr Mels Barton, the group's secretary, said at the time the council should follow the proper processes and think about the bigger picture first.

The park was closed when a rāhui was established by Te Kawerau ā Maki in response to the kauri dieback, which is 100 per cent fatal to kauri trees.

In April, Stuff reported residents who lived near one closed West Auckland bush track had been threatened with a $20,000 fine if they entered it.

Kelleher said on Thursday, however, the plan gave clarity to park users, Waitākere residents and staff.

She said the final work programme had been determined by public feedback, input from Te Kawerau ā Maki and discussions with the Waitākere Ranges Local Board.

Changes had been made in the wake of public consultation, Kelleher said, which included eight additional tracks being included in the upgrade and three proposed new tracks which would provide links and loops to expand what was on offer.

Penny Hulse, Environment and Community Committee chairwoman and Waitākere ward councillor, welcomed the news and said the upgrade work would be 'substantially funded' through the natural environment targeted rate, a $311 million investment which had been made in 2018 to address the spread of kauri dieback and tackle pests.

'It will ensure that these beautiful tracks, and precious kauri trees, in a special part of our region can be enjoyed by generations to come.'

A full list of the tracks to be reopened can be found here.