NEWS RELEASE

January 16, 2001

Mayor backs calls for Almorah Road preservation

Mayor Chris Fletcher has added her support to moves to safeguard an ecologically valuable property in Almorah Road, Epsom.

A private developer has applied for a resource consent to build 12 units on the Crown-owned property at 69 Almorah Road, an area of several acres with native bush and one the best examples of Auckland’s rare lava flow forest areas still remaining.

The application as lodged with the council would involve the removal of 34 mature trees, and have an impact on a further 40 to 50 large trees in the area.

The Mayor shares the concern of local residents and conservationists including the Auckland Botanical Society that development could damage the special attributes of the area.

“I back their fight to preserve this site all the way. This is a very special area – the bush, the vegetation, birds and rock forest.”

Because the property is still owned by the Crown, Mrs Fletcher has sought clarification from Auckland MP Judith Tizard on the future of the site.

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“Auckland City Council is evaluating the area for scheduling as a site of national ecological significance, and I would like to investigate all other avenues which may afford greater protection to the area.”

Mrs Fletcher is well familiar with the property through earlier issues while she was Epsom MP.

“The Glade”, Sir William Goodfellow’s former home at 69 Almorah Road had Mrs Fletcher’s support when it was run as a young people’s half-way home by Felix Donnelly; the property was owned at this time by the Crown.

For more information please contact:
Alison Bremner, Mayoral Communications telephone 373 6818 / 025 772029.

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