Invercargill City Council is set to proactively harvest trees in the Sandy Point Domain. The works are guided by the Council’s Tree Plan 2020, which details Council’s long-term strategy in ensuring the sustainability of trees and the safety of the public throughout the city through responsible management.

Council Parks Performance Manager Kate Gough said the harvesting of Pine trees in the Sandy Point area was part of a programmed piece of work that was on a scheduled 30-year cycle.

While the majority of this work would have no impact on the public, a portion of the trees along the Ōreti River needed to be removed due to safety concerns, Gough said.

“Unfortunately, the trees along parts of Sandy Point Road are starting to reach the end of their lives and need to be harvested. We’ve already had some instances where parts of the trees have fallen across the road and we need to consider the safety of the public.”

Gough said while the full harvesting programme of work was expected to take between six to eight weeks, the public walking track that runs parallel to the river and Sandy Point Road, would be closed for only three days, between 1-3 July, weather dependant.

During this time vehicle access along Sandy Point Road would also be limited to one-lane and traffic management would be in place.

“Once the harvesting has finished, we will be replanting this area with natives and will look to re-purpose any leftover material, like using the wood chips to help with weed suppression, as much as we can,” Gough said.

“We’d like to thank the public in advance for their understanding while we complete this necessary work.”

For direct updates on Council works, members of the public are encouraged to download the Antenno app.