Conservationists oppose cycleway route

A new cycleway will encroach into a nationally significant bird habitat, which conservationists say is unnecessary, and could force some species to permanently relocate.

The Rapanui-Shag Rock cycleway’s second stage, connecting Linwood to Ferrymead, was approved for construction on Thursday.

Part of the route will trail the edge of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary alongside Humphreys Dr near Ferrymead.

A joint cycle path and walkway would be built parallel to the road and a damaged seawall would be repaired, resulting in several metres of encroachment into the estuary.

Local conservationists have strongly objected to the plan, which they say is needless and will undoubtedly affect wildlife.

Forest & Bird’s North Canterbury branch described the encroachment as ‘‘significant and unnecessary’’, and likely to force some birds to leave permanently.

Branch chairwoman Colleen Philip said an inland route, through the nearby Charlesworth reserve, made much more sense.

‘‘When you keep reclaiming land in the estuary and sort of take chunks of it, it’s a bit like death by a thousand cuts,’’ she said.

‘‘We do have a lot of cyclists in Forest & Bird, so we’re pro-cycleways. But it just seems there’s lots of advantages in going through a more inland route.

‘‘There would definitely be negative impacts on the wildlife if it goes along the estuary edge. That’s basically a given.’’

A route through Charlesworth reserve was considered but effectively ruled out due to safety concerns. The enclosed, isolated reserve had ‘‘fatal flaws’’ because it would be too difficult to make safe for cycling at night, a report commissioned by the council said.

Bill Simpson of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust, a community group dedicated to preserving the estuary, said the estuary had lost too much land to development.

‘‘We have no problem with the cycle track going along the estuary edge. It will allow a lot more people to enjoy the estuary.

‘‘Our problem is that the current direction for the cycleway appears to include reclamation, and that’s one of our basic lines – we oppose reclamation and we believe the cycleway could be built without the need to encroach.’’

He said it was home to some ‘‘pretty rare and special species’’, and reducing their habitat further would come at an ecological cost.

‘‘Taken together, these reclamations over many years do have a major effect. We’ve already lost a lot of the estuary and for that reason we oppose any further reduction.’’

Councillors acknowledged ‘‘significant ecological issues’’ when approving the route and asked to be updated by staff throughout construction.

The council said it was proposing low-level planting between the cycleway and the estuary’s edge, which would provide a visual barrier between the birds and cyclists. It would also limit visibility for dogs, which can cause birds to abandon their nests.

The route through Charlesworth reserve had been considered and consulted on but was only considered to be a safe daytime route.

‘‘Lighting it alone will not improve safety. Many other factors including vegetation removal, personal safety and alternative paths need to be considered,’’ said acting head of transport Lynette Ellis.

It was also a sensitive ecological area, meaning lighting could affect birds there too, whereas Humphreys Dr was already lit and near traffic.

The estuary is recognised as both nationally and internationally significant for some bird species. Bird counts range between 20,000 and 40,000 at any one time, across about 40 species.

It is well known for its population of godwits, which spend the summer in the estuary before flying back to Alaska, the longest known migration of any species.

Other rare species include the black-billed gull and black-fronted tern, both nationally endangered.