The sound of chainsaws and heavy machinery is filling Invercargill’s Queens Park as arborist teams carry on with storm clean-up work in the award-winning public gardens.

Parts of Queens Park had been closed since a wind storm in October caused widespread damage, with two sections reopening late last year following extensive remediation work.

Invercargill City Council Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said there was a lot of work yet to be done to make the closed areas safe.

“The storm has come and gone but the clean-up continues,” she said. “We love to see people returning to enjoy Queens Park, but parts of it are still off-limits.”

Closed sections included half of the golf course, the northern end of Coronation Ave and the George St track near Southland Boys’ High School.

Barriers and warning tape were in place indicating restricted and unsafe areas, and it would be several weeks before Council could consider reopening these sections, Rain said.

Arborist teams continue to clean up storm damage in Queens Park. Photo: ICC

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“These are active worksites where heavy machinery is in use, and leaning trees and hanging branches are a real hazard. “It’s important that people respect the barriers in place. The safety of our visitors is paramount – we don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

Other parks and walkways in Invercargill remained closed following the storm, including some of the mountain bike trails at Sandy Point, parts of Otepuni Gardens and the Roger Sutton Boardwalk at the estuary.

Rain said people would need to alter their regular routes in these areas to avoid the closed sections and be mindful of their surroundings, especially near trees.

“The tree cover has dramatically changed in places. More high winds or bad weather hitting these trees could cause fresh damage and new hazards.”

Despite the closures, a majority of the parks in Invercargill that had been affected by the storm were now open, she said.

“I encourage everyone to get out and make the most of the wonderful public spaces that are open and ask for patience as we get over the final hurdles to clean up the closed areas.”

Further details about park and walkway closures in Invercargill, including a map of the closed sections of Queens Park, could be found on Council’s website.