During an extraordinary meeting yesterday, the council voted to delay restricting access to the block after legal advice it could not close off access to an area that was not an active work site.
There was a public uproar when the council announced in March it would close access to the popular off-leash dog-walking area before the trees were harvested.
The council revoked two earlier resolutions relating to the block after legal issues were identified.
It was clarified at the meeting that the council’s duties as a ‘‘person conducting a business or undertaking’’ under the Health and Safety at Work Act applied specifically to active work sites.
Councillors were told that as Sandflat Rd was not an active work site, the council’s obligation was to use best endeavours to mitigate risk to the public — for example through signs and removing known problematic trees — rather than to prevent access altogether, which the council had no legal ability to do.
Appropriate signs will be installed to help people manage the safety risks posed by unsafe trees identified in an earlier forestry assessment.
At the meeting, representatives from the Cromwell Dogs Charitable Trust, which gathered more than 1100 signatures in support of keeping the block open for dog walking, reiterated their case to retain access and the trust’s willingness to help address safety issues.
The council agreed to match funds raised by the trust, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000, for the work.
The trust has raised $4000 towards the work so far.
The future of the Sandflat Rd block — including any decisions on harvesting, replanting or alternative uses — will go back to the council for further direction as part of the 2027-37 long-term plan.
Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley said in a statement yesterday the outcome showed the power of community engagement.
‘‘We don’t always get things right the first time and, once the legal position was clarified, it was important that we listened and acted on that advice.
‘‘This is a great example of what happens when a community gets behind an issue and makes its voice heard. I want to acknowledge and appreciate the trust and everyone in the wider dog-walking community, as well as our own council staff for the significant amount of work, time and effort on this issue.’’
Signs would be installed in the coming weeks and council staff would work with the trust to address safety issues.
In the meantime, people were asked to stay on formed tracks and keep dogs close, particularly around trees flagged as unsafe. — Allied Media
