Native bush to be felled
National Park residents have certainly had their share of worries over the last year with the closure of the Waikune Prison compiex, the subsequent down-turn in population, and now the proposed milling of forest around a newly appointed walk-way. News of the proposed felling of native virgin forest came earlier this year, but work is yet to commence. The Tepapakurua walkway was opened to the public in November of last year and the first group to walk the track was a group of children from National Park Primary School. The track branches off Fischer Track Road and it takes some two hours to tramp in to the Tepapakurua Waterfall, on the way enjoying the sights and sounds of the native bush. County custodian of National Park, Kevin Murcott, is concerned by the felling of the bush around the entrance of the track — about 900 acres are set to get the chop. "The birdlife in the bush is fantastic." he said. "We have blue ducks. kiwis, falcons, yellow-crown parrots and all the usual native birds. We would be sorry to lose them." Mr Murcott commented that a lot of people have walked the track since it was opened nearly 12 months ago, including a lot of the tourists who visit the district over winter, and even more
in the summer months. The block of land is privately owned. "We don't know when the milling will start," said Mr Murcott. "It's inevitable and, because the land is privately owned, there isn't much anyone can do about it." The owners of the 900 acres of land, Mr and Mrs Sivyer of Owhango, were surprised by the reaction of some individuals to the proposed milling. "The first we heard about it was when the Catchment Board rang us up," she said. " Mr Murcott has not contacted us about this business. He did contact a local
newspaper though, and gave them an article." Mrs Sivyer told the Bulletin that they had bought the land from Mcllwaine Timber Company of Marton who retain the milling rights to the land. She said Mcllwaines have a time limit for milling the area. "There are certain clauses in the contract that must be adhered to including only milling timber that is of regulation length."she said. "My husband and I enjoy nature and the beauty of the native bush around the waterfall. We have no intention of destroying that beauty." Mrs Sivyer maintains that the new track is not suitable
for people with less than good health. She commented that the track moves up a steep hill which she was not able to climb. The Sivyers said they are not trying to remove the opportunitv for locals and visitors to experience the unique setting of the native bush. In the long run they have plans to open hunting blocks and walking tracks for tourists. Mrs Sivyer is emphatic that "The milling has nothing to do with the County or anyone else. The land is privately owned and Mr Murcott has absolutely no legal standing whatsoever."
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 26, 25 November 1986, Page 1
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510Native bush to be felled Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 26, 25 November 1986, Page 1
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