More Waitakere tracks to be reopened - The Fringe

More Waitakere tracks will be gradually reopened to the public as Auckland Council upgrades surfaces to a standard that prevents the spread of Kauri dieback.

Since early May, open tracks must meet the requirements of a controlled area notice or CAN where no soil can be transferred and kauri are not at risk of infection.

Only 29 tracks have met or partially met the standard so far, down from the 44 originally proposed to remain open by the Auckland council, which included the popular Kitekite Falls track.

According to Te Kawerau a Maki spokesperson Edward Ashby, the change from the original figure was due to the poor condition of many tracks when they were reviewed in late April.

“We audited the tracks using a scoring methodology I developed” Ashby said. “A minimum pass was a score of 5/10. Most tracks only reached a 1/10. Council should be aiming for long-term infrastructure upgrades that are scoring 8/10 or higher in my view.”

However, two of the tracks that did not initially pass the audit were reopened after extensive upgrades and maintenance. The upper loop of the Arataki Nature Trail and the Parker Track, both near the Arataki Visitor Centre, have been resurfaced with metal and had all side drains cleared of debris, said Auckland Council Regional Parks Manager, Rachel Kelleher.

“High track surface standards enable visitors to still enjoy access to kauri forest and clean their footwear on the way in and out,” Kelleher said “which is an essential condition of the Controlled Area Notice that sits over the forested areas of the park.”

Breaking the conditions, by either going off track or neglecting to clean footwear on dirt tracks can now result in $50,000 fine or three months in prison.

In addition to the upgraded surfaces at Arataki Nature Trail and Parker Track, improved disinfectant stations have been installed. These consist of a walkthrough with a brush fixed to the floor as well as the larger barrel and pump dispenser. More conspicuous than the rudimentary brush and bottle, the barrels also hold more of the Sterigene solution, reducing the frequency of refilling by regional park staff.

With more of these upgrades, Kelleher expects other tracks to be opened in near future.

“Staff are hoping to have further tracks open around the Arataki Visitor Centre in coming weeks and are also working on a number of others including the tracks that enter the Kitekite Falls.”

New disinfectant station around Arataki Nature Trail