We are looking for plenty of helping hands for a community planting day at Wattle Farm Reserve in Manurewa on 1 September.
Hundreds of plants need to be planted along the banks of the stormwater sediment fill area at the park, part of a $3.5 million improvement project at the site.
“Overall we will be putting in about 6000 plants over the next few months,” says project manager Auckland Council Healthy Waters specialist, Pradip Baisyet.
"This planting day is a chance for the community to get involved in a project they’ve seen going on in their backyard for several years."
The event is being led by the Wattle Downs Residents’ Association.
Association vice president Sue Matete was recently joined by Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman and Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton to get the planting underway.
“This is a really impressive project that has been a huge investment by Auckland Council and will have major benefits for locals and the environment from improved water quality to managing sediment and reducing adverse impacts on the Manukau Harbour,” says Cr Newman.
Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton says as well as the environmental benefits of the project, the area is also a hit with recreational users, such as model boat racers.
“What’s really nice is that while this is a major infrastructure project, it has been done in a way that means it’s still very attractive to look at and a place the community can enjoy.”
What: Wattle Farm Planting Day
When: Meet at 9am. Saturday 1 September
Where: Wattle Farm, 39R Wattle Farm Road
About the Wattle Farm stormwater pond improvement project
- The Wattle Farm pond is within the Mahia Catchment which is over 400 hectares
- It was previously a sewer treatment pond and decommissioned after the construction of Mangere sewer treatment plant
- The pond was divided into two ponds, northern used for stormwater treatment and southern for recreational use
- Over the period of time, the stormwater pond was silted up and became a dumping place for people’s rubbish.
Stage 1: 2011-2012
- 3600m3 of contaminated material removed and disposed of offsite
- Forebay constructed for efficient sediment management
- Forebay banks planted with suitable species
- Total construction cost $1.4 million.
Stage 2: 2016-2018
- On-site management of 27,000m3 contaminated sediment
- Construction of 540m of inter-lockable concrete block retaining wall
- Fill area planted with suitable eco-sourced plants
- Total construction cost $3.5 million.
