METRONEWS
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Lyttelton quake memorial orchard proposed

Arwen Sommer
Lyttelton View
The land for the proposed community orchard   Arwen Sommer

The land belonging to a man killed in the 2011 Canterbury earthquake may be turned into a memorial orchard.

Lyttelton couple David and Betty Purdue have proposed turning land that was owned by a man, who died in the quake, into a memorial.

Owen Wright died in the 2011 February earthquake after being struck by boulders on the Major Hornbrook track 10 minutes from his home.

Ian Foldesi was another Lyttelton resident who died in the earthquake, when he was caught in a rockfall on Stan Helms track.  

The plan for the memorial orchard is to plant more fruit trees in addition to the ones already there. 

Betty Purdue said the fruit trees were Wright's "pride and joy" and that walkers often went on to the property to pick fruit. 

The land is located on Somes Rd and Norton Cl.

Although Betty Purdue proposed the idea she wanted to hand over the project to a local community group. 

The property is currently under the control of Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and is red-zoned. 

Jeremy Barr, who is the LINZ Group Manager for Land and Property in Christchurch, said it may be possible to have a temporary community garden but a proposal had to be put to LINZ.