8 June 2009
Media news briefs

Keri Downs Community Planting Day

A community planting day will be held at Keri Downs on Saturday 27 June.

The event, organised by Papakura District Council as part of its WaiCare initiative, is supported by Auckland Regional Council’s Environmental Initiatives Fund. The EIF provides the plants for such events, while other supporters are the Department of Corrections through Papakura Probation Centre, the Matariki Festival and Kotare Cubs.

This year’s planting will extend an existing riparian planting area put in place in 2007. The aim is to restore the current urban stream to enhance the quality of the aquatic and terrestrial habitat.

A healthy community of native plants will provide shade for the stream and in time these plants can help to lower the in-stream water temperature. New Zealand native fish can not survive water temperatures higher than 22° Celsius.

The plants will also function to stabilise the stream banks which will reduce erosion and sedimentation and increase water clarity, helping to encourage native life into the stream.

Native plants for the event include: flax, karamu, manuka, cabbage trees, toetoe, and 2 carex species. There are 1100 plants in total

Participants need to bring their own spade, gumboots or old trainers, sun protection and wet weather gear and register for the event with Laura Torre, Wai Care Coordinator at LTorre@papakura.govt.nz or 295-2349.

Organisers will provide a sausage sizzle and drinks for all volunteers. Information about the plants used in the event will be available at an education display.

HINGAIA ROAD WORKS
Work has begun on the second phase of road upgrade work at Hingaia. The project, expected to take 13 weeks to complete, will widen and improve an 800 metre stretch of road west of the new intersection that gives access to the Karaka Harbourside and Karaka Lakes developments.

Council reminds parents:
FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR CHILDREN, PARK SAFELY ON SPORTS DAYS

With the winter sports season now under way, Papakura District Council is reminding parents to park safely when dropping children off at weekend sport.

In Walters Road, the Council has upgraded off-street parking options for people attending sport on the land west of the road. This includes soccer fields currently in use.

With construction work beginning on residential developments in the area, informal parking on the side of Walters Road would place parents, children and motorists at risk, so “no parking” restrictions on that area are now being enforced at weekends as well as during the week.

HIGHLIGHTING WAYS TO STAY SAFE AROUND DOGS
- Strong focus on public safety
- Owner responsibility essential

Dog control is carried out in Papakura District by Animal Control Services Limited (ACSL), which provides services to Papakura District Council under contract.

Steps people can take to keep themselves and their families safe around dogs include:
1. Supervise children when they are around dogs.
2. Never approach a dog you don’t know
3. Teach children not to approach dogs they don’t know
4. Never take chances with dogs
5. Report all dog bites
6. Report all wandering dogs

Steps dog owners can take to keep their pets and other people safe include:
1. Keep dogs on your property
2. Keep dogs under control at all times
3. Regularly exercise your dog
4. Stay in touch with your dog – walk it on a leash
5. Ensure your dog is not a nuisance to neighbours through excessive barking
6. Register your dog
7. Become a licensed dog owner and qualify for a reduced registration fee

Additional information about responsible and safe dog ownership is available on the Council web site, www.papakura.govt.nz and also on the ACSL web site, www.animal-control.co.nz and in hard copy from Papakura District Council, 35 Coles Crescent, Papakura.

Papakura dog owners who hold dog owner licences are also being reminded they must register their dogs each year before penalty deadline or face being downgraded to regular owner status, which means they must pay the full registration fee applicable.

Dog registration fees are available at the Council offices or on the Council web site.

TREE PLANTING RECOGNISES CONTRIBUTION OF KATAVIC FAMILY

A tree planting was held recently on the Katavic Reserve, near the Papakura Town Centre, to acknowledge the contribution of the Katavic Family to Papakura District.

The reserve was formerly the Council’s works depot, but was not used for this purpose from 2000.

The land forms a link between urban Papakura and the waters of the Manukau Harbour and has historic significance to Māori and Pakeha.

A pohutukawa tree was planted near the Coles Crescent entrance to the Reserve by members of the Katavic family.

ENDS

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