27 Aug 2024

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Increasing use of red-zoned land in Christchurch’s Port Hills by the public has Christchurch City Council rangers fearing the worst.

Multiple areas across the Port Hills are red-zoned due to the risk of death and injury to the public.

However, Council rangers are seeing increasing unpermitted use of restricted areas by residents, including young people and community groups .

Council has fenced off areas and placed warning signs regarding the danger risk, but fences and signs are typically stolen or damaged within days.

Restricted areas in the Port Hills Red Zone are considered at high risk of danger from boulders dislodging due to changing weather conditions or land movement 

Red Zone Manager Dave Little says the rock wall in Sumner is one example of an area that is being accessed, despite the risk to the public.

“We have noticed people riding horses, and kids have been building bike tracks and jumps in recent weeks. We understand the appeal of these spaces, but it is just not safe, and no-one should be in there without training or approval.

“Other areas in the Port Hills Red Zone are being accessed by the community for planting but these areas are restricted for a reason – they are dangerous.”

The public is at risk of death or injury from boulders dislodging due to changing weather conditions or land movement in a quake.

An example of this risk occurred in March this year, when a boulder came loose and smashed through several barriers on Mulgans Track in Clifton. 

Mr Little says Council staff want to see increased community awareness of the risk of death and injury in the Port Hills Red Zone.

“Our rangers are out working in the community, and they certainly don’t want to see people hurt in these spaces. We need the community to stay out of Port Hills red-zoned land for everyone’s sake and peace of mind.”

Over the next two years, Council will reassess the risks to establish whether community plantings can be held in appropriate areas, but this process is site specific and will take time.