29 August 2011

Harakeke Waterway Planting Day Success

The local community planted 2800 plants alongside the new Harakeke Waterway last Saturday (27 August) between Maraenui and Marewa in Napier.

About 100 people from the local community turned up, including a large number of keen school children who had already done some planting with their schools during the week.

“It is a great response from the people who turned up and volunteered to plant. They can be proud of their hard work which has contributed a huge amount to the transformation of this area, and we couldn’t have done it so efficiently without them,” said Patrick Whitesell, Regional Council’s environmental engineer.

The new Harakeke Waterway is a transformation from the old, straight sided drainage ditch known as Plantation Drain.

It has been reshaped into a more natural waterway and now pathways and recreation areas will be further developed for the local neighbourhoods to enjoy. The planting day had been postponed due to bad weather in June and July which held up the earthworks.

It is expected that Napier City Council will complete their part of this successful joint project, by installing bridges, a paved pathway and more trees by December.

ENDS

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