NZ: Ōhope golf club ordered to restore dunes after removing 500 native trees
Jo Steens was devastated when walking along Ōhope Beach last year to see the felling of mature pōhutukawa trees in the dune area. Photo / Troy Baker
Ōhope International Golf Club has been fined $38,500 after club volunteers removed more than 500 native trees and shrubs from a coastal dune area.
A judgment was handed down by the Environment Court this week, with the Whakatāne District Council set to receive 90% of the $38,500 fine.
The council incurred costs of more than $126,000 in its legal case against the club.
The enforcement order includes a detailed restoration management plan for the next 10 years, agreed upon by both parties, requiring the club to replant, restore and maintain the site, with estimated costs of up to $300,000 to be paid for by the club.
District council planning, regulatory and infrastructure general manager David Bewley said the incurred costs associated with the prosecution totalled $126,174 not including staff costs.
“The fine and enforcement order recognise the serious impact of the club’s actions and while we recognise they were not deliberate, this sentence emphasises that such recklessness will not be tolerated.”
Bewley said the court-ordered restoration plan included planting of 250 pōhutukawa and 110 plants of four other specified species, with all plants of a specified size and sourced from the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
Planting would be done by club volunteers trained, co-ordinated and supervised by a council-approved restoration specialist.
Pest and weed control would be carried out by suitably qualified individuals holding current licences.
The club would need to report to the council annually and any variation or failure to comply would be referred back to the court.
