Track in Clevedon Scenic Reserve closed over kauri dieback fears

Monday, 24 September 2018

The Clevedon Scenic Reserve's western track is closed until further notice.

A track in Clevedon Scenic Reserve has been closed as a protective measure against kauri dieback disease.

The site's western track has been shut due to the risk of kauri trees contracting the disease by people walking across exposed roots.

Auckland Council's biosecurity manager Phil Brown said the disease had not been found in the area and the closure was a 'precaution'.

'Our main objective across the region is to protect high-value, healthy kauri.

**READ MORE:

A new updated track will be created at the reserve.

* Reserves on Auckland's North Shore to close**

* Tāne Mahuta could soon be infected

* Call to close all Auckland kauri forests

'This reserve is also located closely to the Hunua Ranges Regional Park, which contains some of the largest stands of currently disease-free kauri in the country, further influencing our decision to close,' Brown said.

Kauri dieback is an incurable disease that infects native kauri and causes root rot, weeping lesions on the bark, yellowing leaves, defoliation and eventually, death.

An Auckland council spokeswoman said it was currently 'unsure' how long the track would be closed but Franklin Local Board was designing a new track to protect the kauri.

Franklin Local Board chairwoman, Angela Fulljames, said the closure of the track wasn't a 'favoured option' but was the best chance at keeping the kauri disease-free.

'Our community has been supportive and respectful of the track closures in the Hunua Ranges Regional Park put in place earlier this year, and we ask that they continue to find alternatives while this track is not available for use.'

The kauri are located at the bottom of the western loop, so the track leading out is closed, but visitors to the reserve can still enjoy acess to the lookout as the other tracks remain open.

Many tracks and reserves around the north island have been closed as a result of kauri dieback this year.

Auckland Council closed most of the Waitākere Ranges in May to prevent the spread of the disease in the West Auckland forest.