A social media post about a fence being erected caused a flurry of negative comments, questions and feedback from Alexandra residents at the weekend.

The work on the fence in Molyneux Park is set to begin on Monday [March 10] and when completed will prevent cars from taking a shortcut through The Pines between Poole Rd and Dunstan Rd (at the back of the netball courts).

More than 50 comments were made on the original Central Otago District Council Facebook post, with some residents calling the fence a “waste of money”, “unnecessary’’ and more “red tape’’.

Other residents suggested making it a sealed through road as it was frequently used to access Alexandra Pool as opposed to driving a longer route.

On Monday evening (March 3) the post was updated and the Council communications team responded to The Central App’s questions 

A CODC spokesperson said the purpose of the fence is to prevent vehicle access from Dunstan Road across the Otago Central Rail Trail into Molyneux Park.

“The track will be open to bicycles, walkers, and people with dogs and there will be access points on Dunstan Rd.

“This work has been in the Long-term Plan for the past three years, and was an undertaking of the 2021 Molyneux Park Reserve Management Plan (section: Other 3.7.5) while also fulfilling the Central Otago District Council’s commitment with the Department of Conservation to fence the northern side of the Otago Central Rail Trail from the Molyneux Park Tennis Courts to the new residential subdivision.”

The fence would cost $20,000 and will be a wooden post-and-rail fence as specified in the reserve management plan, the spokesperson said.

The fence will be installed by a local contractor.”

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