Tree removal at Christchurch Golf Course

[Jan]

I saw a stuff article just now that details the destruction of hundreds of 50year-old pines and macrocarpa at this oldest established golf course [home of Sir Bob Charles] in Shirley, Chch. Apparently all golf courses worldwide that are 'links' courses, on sand near the sea, [like St Andrews in Scotland, the home of golf], are re-designing their land back to grass, sand, wind, and no trees. I guess they can do what they like on privately-owned golf courses, but Chch is planning to become a National Park City or something similar, so it needs more trees not less; but my main concern is WHY IS THIS BEING DONE IN NESTING SEASON and can they be prosecuted under the Wildlife Act for destroying the nests of native species? Fantails, Bellbirds, Grey Warblers, Silvereyes, Paradise Ducks and possibly Falcon all probably nest on this golf course, in these trees.

[andrewcrossland]

I share your frustration Jan but the Wildlife Act is frequently being invoked these days to protect reptiles, and also more frequently now for wetland and coastal birds so hopefully forest and woodland bird protection will follow?
It is pretty ironic that this is happening at Shirley Golfcourse given that it is no doubt one of very few golf courses in NZ that actually has its very own bird field guide?!!

Written by Peter Law in 2007, a former student of R.B. Sibson in the famous King’s College Bird Club. And the plates were by Derek Onley

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[Jan]

Thanks for that Andrew, I never knew of the birdguide. Mark Belton has been grumbling about the trees being removed, maybe someone who knows how to contact him, might send the book's details to him? I'll see if I can find the stuff article and try to post it.

[Jan]

You can find a Stuff article about it by doing a search on Stuff. It's under 'sport', no less.

[Hypno]

not really related to but someone here maybe able to advise. I have a very large council berm, if i plant a tree on it it am i breaching any laws or is the CCC likely to come cut them down and send me a bill?

[Jan]

Mark Belton wants to be sent the relevant bits of the Willdlife Act so he can see exactly what it says. All I can find is that in Part One it says all native animals, subject to all the clauses after that, which lets a whole lot of species out of protection. This is not good enough, the Act needs updating?

[Jan]

In an article in Friday's Press newspaper, all but 1 of the members of the Golf Club's Course committee have resigned, partly over this controversial tree removal which has really annoyed the neighbours. You can find the article under The Press - sport - golf.