Youth’s ‘antisocial driving’ causes damage at reserve
A youth has been referred to Youth Services by the police after damaging an area of a Department of Conservation (DOC) reserve in a vehicle during the Easter break.
A police spokesperson said they received multiple reports from members of the public regarding antisocial driving in the Piano Flat area around 5.30pm on Sunday.
Police arrived and stopped a vehicle that was identified by the public.
Police won’t say how old the youth is, or whether they were driving a four-wheeldrive ute or a motorbike, but did say no charges had been laid.
Tyre marks at the site indicate a ute had been driven in the area.
A police spokesperson said they would like to acknowledge the public for reporting their concerns to them, and continue to urge the public to contact police when they see activities like this happening.
DOC operations manager Murihiku John
McCarroll said the department had not been formally notified of any damage.
“We will be in touch with local police to understand the extent. Any damage to public conservation land is disappointing’’.
There is a DOC campground at Piano Flat and the road gives access to the Old Man Range. It is popular with four-wheel drivers and motorbike riders, as well as anglers and hunters.
The damage during the weekend is not the first time vehicles have caused damage on DOC land in Southland. In 2021, DOC closed off access at Mavora Lakes after tracks were damaged by 4WD vehicles, and similar issues were reported at the lakes in 2016.
Also in 2016, a group of 4WD vehicle owners drove through Piano Flat and were caught in a snowstorm on Waikaia Bush Rd, where they were rescued after 24 hours.