Belmont battered by storm, fire

Belmont Regional Park was hit hard last week with storm damage closing tracks in the Korokoro valley and a fire at the Dry Creek woolshed building.

Greater Wellington principal ranger Matt Ballantine described the week as a double whammy. Bridges were washed out and pine trees blown over by the storm last Tuesday and Wednesday, and it could take up to three months to get the tracks repaired.

The disused Dry Creek woolshed building, at the Haywards intersection with SH2, caught fire on Friday night, and was severely damaged. Police are treating it as arson and investigating.

Greater Wellington is currently weighing up options about what to do with the building.

The damage caused by the February storms has left the area more exposed to extreme southerly weather. Waterlogged soil is also thought to have contributed to the damage this time.

Mr Ballantine said most of the tree damage was to pines planted 80 years ago and blown over like matchsticks, but the parks native vegetation was relatively unscathed. Removing the rest of the pines is now being considered for public safety.

Road-end access to Belmont Regional Park at Dry Creek and Oakleigh Street entrances is still available. The Korokoro Dam to Cornish St and the Baked Beans Bend track to Belmont Trig are more severely damaged due to many windfall pines blocking the tracks. These tracks are closed until further notice. Park users are advised to stay out of closed areas, closed tracks are clearly marked by signs and safety fencing.

Some damage also occurred to the Rimutaka Rail Trail and in Kaitoke Regional Park.