Scenic improvement?

Forest and Bird, Issue 267, 1 February 1993, Page 4

Scenic improvement?

THE OVER-ZEALOUS clearance of native vegetation alongside scenic highways has long been a contentious issue in New Zealand, but a recent Forest and Bird field trip to South Westland came across an example that would take some beating for its sheer stupidity. Contractors working for Transit New Zealand (formerly the National Roads Board) were discovered clearing lakeside vegetation, including flax bushes, from the margin of Lake Ianthe beside the State Highway — apparently "to improve the view". For most people travelling this Heritage Highway the flax and other native plants added to the scenic attractions of the lake while providing cover for the lake’s wildlife, including the rare crested grebe. Fortunately, the contractors agreed to Forest and Bird’s request to stop work while a

DoC officer could be called to intervene and put an official end to this scenic vandalism alongside the Lake Ianthe Scenic Reserve. Transit NZ is very red-faced and says that the contractor was at fault in not obeying the guidelines of the contract documents. Transit’s operations engineer, Peter Connors, says

he is "conscious of the importance of the scenic features of our roads and picnic areas and takes that responsibility seriously". He adds that Forest and Bird’s concerns "have been thoroughly investigated so that we continue to improve our performance"’. Transit NZ’s commitment to conservation was put to the

test last month when Forest and Bird and residents of remote Bruce Bay further down the Coast called for an immediate halt to plans to fell 20 soaring kahikatea trees from the famous Semple Avenue alongside the Haast highway. The trees form a canopy over the well-travelled world heritage road. "It’s one of the most photographed parts of the road," says local resident Thomas Condon. "I hope the proposal is stopped before we have to go and tie ourselves to the trees." Because of the controversy, Transit have stopped the work and would "re-look"’ at the situation later in the year. Consultation with Forest and Bird and the locals has been promised before any decisions are made. Such consultation should be standard practice whenever potentially controversial roadside clearance is contemplated by Transit NZ.