The overview

• The community may continue with the removal of invasive groundcover species throughout Purau Reserve.
• Gully and hillside restoration planting is to be undertaken by the community, using the proposed plant species below.
• All existing trees are to be maintained by Council arborists only. Maintenance or removal of trees by the community is not permitted.
• New specimen trees are to be planted and maintained by Council arborists. Locations shown below are indicative only. All tree planting will be carried out in line with The Ōtautahi-Christchurch Urban Forest Plan 2023.
• Council Parks Maintenance team to audit and undertake required repairs to paths, stairs & bridges etc.

Locations are indicative only. The detail will be confirmed on site.

Plant selection rationale

During early engagement we heard that the community feel that it's important to plant more trees in Purau Reserve. We also heard that it's important for Purau Reserve to attract birds and insects, have native trees, and provide enough shade. Additionally, there was concern about loosing open spaces and views, and damage to existing paths and other features.

Based on feedback we’re proposing:

Gully planting

The proposed gully plantings are low groundcover ferns and flowering shrub species. We intend to boarder the ephemeral stream and walkway with this planting type, adding colour and seasonality.
Plant species reflect what the community said they wanted through early engagement. They contain a combination of native and exotic species, seasonal colour, fruit trees, deciduous trees, and a lush understory.
While the surrounding hillside areas provide a layered native forest feel, the low planting and specimen trees in the gully and main path will allow for clear sight lines, responding to CPTED (Crime prevented through environmental design) principles.

As it is very dry through the gully, the proposed species will require regular watering by the community during their establishment.

Hillside planting

The hillside planting type is made up of revegetation style native species, to improve local biodiversity and contribute to bank stabilisation.
Plant species selection in this area has been guided by Christchurch City Council ecologists and the Christchurch Otautahi Indigenous Ecosystems plant guide.
A particular feature you may see incorporated into this plan is the "Silver Tussock, tree weta, gentle rolling ecosystem" plant types which are characteristic of the lower Cashmere area.

Specimen / fruit trees

We are aware of the need for specimen / fruit trees to have light so they can grow. Due to this, they must be planted in places where there are openings in canopy. As a result placement will be determined on site. This means that markings on the development plan show indicative locations only.

How are we doing?

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