Gone to the possums

Allison Walters says possums in Stratford's Memorial Garden are feeding on the buds of a Vulcan magnolia that was planted in 1990 in her mother's honour.
Allison said the magnolia was planted next to the Centennial Rooms in Fenton Street, as a tribute to the late Molly Stephens, for her outstanding work in the Stratford community.
But in the past six years the magnolia has struggled to bloom, and its growth has also been stunted. Possums eat the buds every spring.
"I have lived here all my life and we used to have beautiful parks, but possums are killing the trees and the native birds' food."
She said the native birds don't visit the parks any more because the possums have destroyed their food chain.
Allison compared the magnolias planted the same time on their former farm at Douglas, where the farmers managed possum control.
The new owner of the Douglas farm controlled the possums for six months, then the TRC followed up.
And for six years Allison has approached the Stratford District Council (SDC), but was told that possum control in the parks was the responsibility of the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC).
But Allison was advised by the TRC that the council was responsible.
However, yesterday Stratford District Council property asset manager Vicki Jagersma, two years in her position, said the matter had only come to her attention this week.
It appeared another staff member had dealt with the problem of possum control, but no action was ever taken.
Possum control is Vicki's responsibility and she is now in talks with the TRC to put something in place.
Vicki said she had noticed possum excrement on the bridges in the park
"I am putting together a proposal for public parks, but it depends on the budget."