Pegasus Post: October 31, 2017

PEGASUS POST Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Tuesday October 31 2017 3
News
Red zone’s rabbit island
• By Sophie Cornish
RABBITS LIVING on a
roundabout in the red zone have
motorists hopping mad.
About 20 black rabbits
have been spotted at the busy
junction of Anzac Drive, New
Brighton and Travis Rds.
They have attracted an
audience, with motorists
driving slowly to look at them
and others parking up and
crossing the road to get to the
roundabout.
Motorists say the junction
has now become dangerous
and have posted their concerns
on the People’s Independent
Republic of New Brighton
Facebook page.
One resident saw a woman
take three children across to
the roundabout, while another
mentioned several motorists
driving as slow as 30km/h to get
a glimpse of the rabbits.
Transport for Christchurch
posted a video on its facebook
page of the rabbits with a safety
message.
“While it might seem like a
good idea to take your children
to see the roundabout rabbits,
the safest way to do this is to
point them out as you drive
past,” the message said.
RED ZONE BUNNIES: One of up to 20 rabbits spotted on the Anzac Drive roundabouts. Safety
concerns have been raised as people cross the busy intersection to see the rabbits.
“It is not a good idea to take
them across the road onto the
roundabout. We all know how
unpredictable young children
can be when over-excited, this
could also endanger the rabbits
and scare them into running
on to the road. This is a state
highway and heavily used by
large trucks.”
An Environment Canterbury
spokeswoman said it has
received a number of calls about
the issue.
“While it is not our responsibility
but the landowners, it
is a situation we can help get
resolved,” she said.
“With this in mind, we have
contacted the New Zealand
Transport Agency, which we
understand is looking into
control options to reduce the
risk.”
Local
News
Now
In Brief
Fire rages, homes at risk
RED ZONE CONSULTATION
Public consultation on the 10
different land uses for red zone
land closes on Monday. The
Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor
Regeneration Area stretches
from Barbadoes St to Bexley and
New Brighton and Regenerate
Christchurch have provided a
combination of different land
uses including housing, ecological
restoration and visitor attractions.
FLYING FOX TO BE REMOVED
The controversial Muka Park
flying fox is set to be removed
by contractors this week. Due
to its lack of compliance with
city’s night-time noise limits, the
Coastal-Burwood Community
Board voted to remove the
50m flying fox. The outcome is
described as a ‘no-win’ situation
as many residents opposed the
removal. The removal will cost
$20,000.
NEW BRIGHTON FIREWORKS
The annual New Brighton Guy
Fawkes event will take place this
Sunday. Due to work on the pier
and the new seaside playground,
there will be limited space for
public viewing this year. Both
South New Brighton and North
Beach Surf Lifesaving Clubs will be
open to relieve pressure in central
New Brighton. The event will take
place between 9 and 10pm.
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