Kaumatua blessed Currys Bush Reserve site ahead of physical works to upgrade tracks in the battle against kauri dieback disease.
Te Uri o Hau, Auckland Council elected members and staff, Citycare Property, Stellar Projects and the Wellsford Community attended a blessing conducted by Reno Skipper on 20 November.
Funded by Auckland Council’s Natural Environment Targeted Rate (NETR), the work will take three months with the loop track expected to re-open in mid-February.
Rodney Ward Councillor Greg Sayers says a portion of NETR funding is used to support the management of kauri dieback across the Auckland region.
“Tracks in local areas across the Auckland region have been closed for mitigation works to reduce the spread of the disease or closed altogether, to protect high-value kauri ecosystems like the mature kahikatea forest in Currys Bush.
“It’s exciting to see that this work about to start and our investment to protect healthy kauri.
“We appreciate people’s patience as this important work is carried out and want them to know that the reserve will re-open as soon as possible."
Upgrading the tracks to kauri standard and diverting people away from kauri roots reduces the risk of soil being transported around the reserve. The work will involve:
- new raised boardwalk/s wheelchair accessible
- resurfacing tracks to kauri dry track standards and installing new culverts
- repositioning part of the track
- installing a steel perimeter fence to provide a safe environment for kauri
- widening an entrance so it’s wheelchair accessible
- installing two hygiene stations, one with wheelchair access.
Councillor Sayers thanks the project team for their efforts engaging with local stakeholders, in particular Te Uri o Hau and Caroline Milner, for her efforts in drawing the community together, around the work that will be done in the reserve.
Go to the council website to find out more about what's being done to tackle kauri dieback disease and track information.
