Foxton River Loop Progress [Save Our River Trust]

River Trust Making Good Progress

Foxton community group SORT (Save Our River Trust) has been making steady progress on its plans to restoring the Manawatu River Loop at Foxton.

Their aim is to have the river once again an active and vital part of their community is gradually being achieved. Much of the progress has been the result of liaison with, and assistance from, Horizons Regional Council and Horowhenua District Council.

Two parts of the project that have made the most progress have been the Piriharakeke Walkway and the newly established nearby wetlands. Both of these are located near to the Transfer Station.

SORT has provided the planning and labour for these projects and materials have come from the two councils. The waharoa (gateway) to the walkway will be officially opened at 10am on Saturday 12 June and the public are all cordially invited to attend. Further development of both these projects is planned and anyone willing to help with the work can turn up to the working bees held each Saturday morning.

Horizons have recently adopted a Foxton Loop Enhancement Plan and a vital part of this will be a hydrology investigation of the feasibility of developing a channel that could open the top of the loop again so that there would be a flow of water from the river into the full circumference of the loop This project has always been at the top of SORT's wish list as it is crucial in the hopes of restoring the river at Foxton.

Robin Hapi the Chairman of SORT said that if the river is to be fully enjoyed by the public it will need to be free of weeds and pollution. With this in mind Horizon's plan contains welcomed polices for:

1. The control of stock access to the loop and the consequent fencing needs,
2. Controlling weeds in the river and willows along it.

As SORT enters into the next stage of its efforts to regain a real river for Foxton, with optimism and encouragement it looks forward to a coordinated plan townscape.

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