Bay Harbour: October 07, 2020

Wednesday October 7 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
BAY HARBOUR
PAGE 11
News
Planting trees helps transform hill
THE OWNER of a 4ha slice of
paradise overlooking the city has
been working to transform the
area into a valuable recreational
asset for the community.
In the past three years, Christoph
Schacherer has worked with
friends, neighbours, volunteers,
and the wider community to
plant more than 2000 native
trees, shrubs and flaxes.
Plant species such as tōtara,
mānuka, kānuka, and toetoe,
now span 1.2ha of his hill block
in Huntsbury Gully.
Schacherer has owned the
property for around 25 years and
three years ago received $10,000
of Immediate Steps biodiversity
funding.
“We’ve held planting days each
year and there’s always a really
good turnout,” he said.
“We’ve had families, friends
and neighbours all come along
with a packed lunch to sit and
enjoy the view of the city below
while they take a break.”
The area that has been planted
connects the Waterfall track that
runs through Huia Gilpin Reserve,
with Mt Vernon Park, on
the opposite side of the valley.
Schacherer’s neighbour, John
Howard, has been supportive
throughout the project and regularly
helps maintain the plantings,
which may provide habitat
for native bird species including
tūī and kererū, and habitat for
native lizards, once established.
The site previously had significant
gorse cover but weed
control work was carried out
before the planting, and ongoing
maintenance will help the plants
become established, providing
habitat for native bird species.
Much of the area was cleared
by hand and mulch was placed
around the base of each plant to
keep weeds and grass away, giving
the plants freedom to grow.
“Once the plantings have
PARADISE: New plantings
overlook the waterfall
gully, with Mt Vernon Park
opposite. ​
established the gorse will require
a lot less maintenance and the
hillside will become more stable,
which will help reduce erosion in
the area,” said Schacherer.
The lifestyle property is located
on land that is difficult to build
on or develop, making it the
ideal place for a native biodiversity
corridor to be developed.
The city council exchanged
a significant portion of land
around this area many years ago
for more suitable land further
down the valley that could be
built on.
“I wanted to keep the block
and develop it not with buildings,
but with nature. I hope to
covenant it in the future, protecting
it forever,” he said.
“I want to bring back the
connection between people and
nature and I want people to use
the track, have picnics, and bring
their kids along to enjoy the
environment.”
HEAT PUMP
SALE NOW ON!
Amazin’ Spring Specials!!
90%
SubSidy
Warmer KiWi HomeS
Programme
*Eligibility criteria apply
• We will offer you the best quality brands and
option of heat pump for your home/business
• Providing Heat Pump solutions for over 18 years to Cantabrians
• We personally guarantee all our products & installs for 5 years
(providing annual maintenance has been completed)
Phone us today for your free consultation & quote
41A SHAKESPEARE RD, WALTHAM
PHONE 03 366 0525
www.enviromaster.co.nz
“A local team for local people”
‘as is, where is’
auction gala
Friday 20th November from 12pm
Have you got an ‘as is, where is’ property you need to sell?
Call Shaun today to get more into on our upcoming ‘As Is, Where Is’ Gala
Shaun Davey | 027 953 8860
GRENADIER
GRENADIER
REAL ESTATE LTD MREINZ IS A LICENSED AGENT UNDER THE REAL ESTATE AGENTS ACT 2008