More than 124 tonnes of uprooted trees, bridge structures and other storm damage were lifted out of Te Auaunga Oakley Creek in a recent debris removal operation.
As a result, 75 cubic metres of mulch – which is almost the equivalent of seven concrete mixer trucks – was chipped from failed trees, much of which was donated to local community group, Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga - Friends of Oakley Creek to use with their plantings.
Albert-Eden Local Board Chair, Kendyl Smith is grateful for all the work that the community group has done and for their guardianship of the local reserve.
“On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank Friends of Oakley Creek for their hard mahi and efforts to look after one of our most precious assets,” says chair Smith.
“You are also a huge asset to our community, and it is our priority to support and celebrate all that you do for our area.”
Friends of Oakley Creek Project Manager, Wendy John was thrilled with the donation and efficient management of resources.
“It was a wonderful outcome from the recovery work to keep as much of the material on site as possible, reducing our impact on the environment and, so, a win-win for everyone,” says John.
“We’re planning to use the mulch for three plantings in the area this planting season.
Our community planting days are always on the first Sunday of the month – the next one is Sunday 3 May and anyone can participate,” she says.
There are two sites where we plan to have 500 natives planted and Point Chevalier Girl Guides also have a site where they will plant another 100 natives.”
Friends of Oakley Creek is a local community group that is solely dedicated to protecting, preserving, enhancing and restoring the ecological health of Te Auaunga Oakley Creek and its environment.
It’s a busy community group that actively undertakes regular planting, plant propagation, weeding, monitoring and predator control, water quality monitoring and clean-ups, while working in close collaboration with schools, community groups, corporate groups, tertiary institutions and individuals.
Established in 2004, the group works to raise the profile of the creek throughout the wider community, and to increase recognition of the value and potential of Te Auaunga and its surrounds.
For more details on how to get amongst the good work, follow Friends of Oakley Creek here or visit www.oakleycreek.org.nz.
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