Waitakere Ranges: Auckland Council files charges against person accused of entering closed track

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

Auckland Council's Information Communication and Technology team is helping West Auckland rangers in the battle to stop the spread of kauri dieback by developing new, cheap, effective monitoring technology.

An Aucklander is heading to court for allegedly entering a Waitākere Ranges track that is closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback.

Auckland Council announced on Tuesday that it had filed three charges for breaches of the Public Safety and Nuisance Bylaw in the Wāitakere District Court.

It said the charges related to one person entering a closed track three times over the last five months.

Auckland Council is trying to prevent kauri dieback disease spreading further in the Waitākere Ranges.

The person will first appear on January 6, with each charge carrying a maximum fine of $20,000.

**READ MORE:

Tracks that are open require people keeping their shoes clean.

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About 50 trespass notices have been issued in the last six months for breaching the closure of tracks.

* More Auckland tracks and parks closed due to threat of kauri dieback disease

* Slow progress on upgrading tracks as fight against kauri dieback continues**

Mayor Phil Goff said the prosecution reflected the seriousness of the issue and sent a clear message to anyone breaching the closed track areas.

'While most Aucklanders understand the need for temporary track closures to help stop the spread of dieback, those individuals who flout the rules with no regard for the damage they cause need to be held to account,' Goff said.

'The survival of our most iconic native tree is at risk and the decisions to close the tracks are based on hard evidence about what is necessary to slow and reverse the spread of kauri dieback disease.'

Auckland Council decided to close high-risk tracks in the Waitākere Ranges to the public in May 2018 to protect forested areas and prevent the disease from spreading further.

Since compliance efforts were increased six months ago, 49 trespass notices have been issued, the council said.

Its manager of regulatory compliance Steve Pearce said the majority of people visiting the ranges adhered to the rules.

'We have compliance officers working around the region to increase the level of education about the disease and compliant behaviour.

'Most Aucklanders have heard the message; they keep off closed tracks and use the cleaning stations so it's disappointing a few continue to believe the rules are not for them.'

Auckland Council said there will be an increased presence of compliance officers over the summer period in both the Waitākere and Hunua ranges.