A stormwater pond established at Point England Reserve in 2002 as part of a treatment system to improve water quality and help with the management of excess water during storms is set for an upgrade.
Fed by Omaru Creek and upstream from the Tāmaki Estuary, the pond is an important waterway in the Tāmaki area.
Sediment build-up a problem
“The establishment of this pond has been a successful project; however, over the past 17 years, sediment has built up to such an extent that work is now required to bring the pond back to the required levels of efficiency,” says Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair Chris Makoare.
Recent testing indicated that there were elevated E. coli levels in the increasingly stagnant, low-quality water. The ecological habitat and amenity values had also dropped.
Viewing platforms and boardwalks as part of upgrade
“We were pleased to receive the business case from Auckland Council's Healthy Waters team proposing to convert the stormwater pond into a wetland pond and waterway,” explains Makoare.
“The area will become an asset for the community, with viewing platforms, a boardwalk, riparian planting and increased animal, plant and fish life. It will also provide the water-filtration and management system the area needs.”
Improvements to the pond and wetland design incorporate ideas and input from iwi. Construction will begin late 2019 and is expected to take approximately eight months to complete. During this time a portion of Point England Reserve will be fenced off to ensure public safety around the worksite.
