The proposed Masterplan changes to Chamberlain will halve the habitat of significant numbers of birds that breed, roost and rest in the trees of Chamberlain. In our very first submission to AELB, we identified many bird species at Chamberlain Park. These include: Native species: Tui, Pukeko, Matuku-moana (Blue heron), Piwakawaka (Fantail), Kotare (Kingfisher), Putangitangi (Paradise duck) and Karoro (Black-backed gull). Introduced species include : Mallard duck, Spur-winged plover, Welcome swallow, Eastern rosella and Magpie. Recently Pheasant and Black swan have been seen on the course. The Masterplan will require felling of large trees and replacing them with artificial turf for the sports fields and the driving range. The huge volumes of concrete needed to create these fields, car parks and roadways, and possibly an aquatic centre will cause further stormwater and pollution problems. During high rainfall the combined sewage-stormwater drain often overflows, discharging heavy metals and raw human excrement directly into Waititiko Creek. No wonder there were dead ducks floating in the creek after the last floods! Our vision for Chamberlain incorporates an active tree planting plan to encourage the birdlife, a predator and pest reduction scheme to protect the wildlife and a major upgrade of the stormwater and run-off that pollutes Waititiko Creek and Rawalpindi reserve. Birds and golfers have co-existed at Chamberlain for the last 78 years, why destroy this symbiosis? With appropriate planning, golfers can also share this wonderful city green space with walkers and bikers as they do at Hagley Park in ChCh? It’s not rocket science. Let’s increase the birdsong in our city not decrease it through ill thought through plans! Let’s clean up the pollution while we are at it! The cost will be nowhere near the 30 million dollars that is currently proposed for the Masterplan chop!