Kauri dieback cleaning stations ignored in parks

Remnant bush on private land may become lifeboats for kauri, if relying on the public to keep the trees safe at reserves and parks in the north is anything to go by.

The disease is present in the Albany Scenic Reserve and Okura Bush and may have spread elsewhere on the North Shore. Further north, it is present in Department of Conservation land at Waipu and Logue’s Bush at Tomarata along with some rural private property, but trees in northern regional parks have so far remained free of the disease.

But if the poor response of people using one of the stations at Shakespear Open Sanctuary is typical, trees may not stay disease free for long.

Though the path led straight through the station with clear signs about the need to clean and disinfect shoes, in a brief half hour period recently, just a quarter of adults cleaned their shoes.

The news came as no surprise to volunteer coordinator for Alice Eaves scenic reserve Laurie Rands. The popular reserve in Orewa is home to hundreds of kauri and so far has remained free of the disease.

While stations use is increasing Rands is frustrated most people still don’t use them. Runners don’t stop even when Rand offers to help clean their shoes. ‘‘They say they don’t have time,’’ she said.

Then there are the dogs rummaging under the trees – let off their leads by their owners, and the cyclists even though no bikes are allowed.

But the problems with the stations don’t end there. Disinfectant bottles have disappeared, disinfectant tipped out onto the ground and bottles thrown into bush, she said.

After new brushes put out were stolen, Rands now makes sure they are well-scuffed beforehand.

Some stations are much more sophisticated and they are currently looking at standardising them, Auckland Council’s Biosecurity Manager Rachel also

‘‘They say they don't have time’’

Laurie Rands

Kelleher said.

Should the disease turn up in bush areas of northern regional parks those bush areas – but not the park – will be closed.

There may be others options including re-routing, upgrading tracks, and under the Biosecurity Act issuing a controlled area notice - as happened with recent myrtle rust outbreak - restricting activities in an area.

A five year summer survey of the Auckland region for the disease is under way.

DELWYN DICKEY Most people entering Shakespear Open Sanctuary, at the Waterfall Gully entrance, weren’t as diligent as this visitor and didn’t clean their footwear.