R Claydon

Privet, pampas, deadly nightshade and many more undesirable pest species are rapidly taking over Whakatāne hill areas and some street verges.

Valley Road, south of Firths Readymix Concrete, is a good place to see poor control of plant pest species that will rapidly become  a major problem for our “Most Beautiful Town” if proper control measures are not rapidly put in place.

Recent spraying by Whakatāne District Council highlights this. A large deadly nightshade tree was removed, but two junior offspring in clear view were left standing adjacent and are now flowering.

Likewise with pampas. Some very large specimens were well sprayed, but many were only partly sprayed and are regrowing, and many very large adjacent specimens were unsprayed. Plus, there are all the junior plants growing unchecked and not sprayed. Why?

Where is the supervision from the first eradication attempt and what is the council now going to do to control regrowth and complete the task effectively?

This is essential and needs doing now.

If money is a problem, maybe put some floral roundabouts into grass for a few years.

Regarding the recent pine tree removal, much pine slash remains after the sellable logs have gone.

Why not organise a public work weekend, closely supervised and assisted by experienced chainsaw workers.

Remaining material would probably get off site very quickly as firewood, leaving the area clean for revegetation.

This could take the place of planting gorse, which will control pest species but allow regeneration ultimately of natives and a good habitat for the giant weta.

Let’s get this done.

■ Editor note: Whakatāne District Council did not wish to respond to this letter.