Fruit and other species of trees on roadsides should be protected, Oamaru resident Wayne Hollows told the Waitaki District Council's 2011-12 draft annual plan meeting this week.
Such trees had been "a resource of foragers" for generations.
Many of the trees had grown from discarded cores. Each had a unique genetic make-up and there was a growing awareness they needed protecting.
Cycleway wanted: A new cycleway along Humber St linking the historic precinct with the cycleway to Waitaki Boys' High School could be built now with a $65,000 subsidy from the New Zealand Transport Agency and $35,000 from the council's roading fund, the Oamaru Multisport Club said.
The club, with Mountain Biking North Otago, was asking for walking, cycling and recreational tracks to be developed around Oamaru, saying the Oamaru precinct-Humber St project could be done immediately.
Mountain biking club representative Andrew Milne asked the council to empower the club to develop the tracks. The work could be done by volunteers.
Memorial place: The Ahuriri Community Board asked the council to contribute to setting up a memorial place in Otematata, which does not have a cemetery.
Board member Graham Sullivan said suggestions from past and present residents included a memorial wall at the Otematata Lakes Community Centre, or memorial rocks and trees incorporated into the Otematata wetlands walkway.
Community liaison: Literacy North Otago and the League of Victorian Imagineers suggested the council establish a community liaison role to co-ordinate activities and funding applications and support community groups.
Helen Jansen, representing both groups, envisaged a partnership between the council and community groups. It could source funding for a short-term contract which could evolve into a fully council-funded role.
