Auckland Council and Glasgow Contractors have cleared 10.24 tonnes of debris and rubbish from Middleton Stream in Newmarket, diverting 5.5 tonnes, mostly scrap metal and firewood, from landfill.
Much of the debris washed into the stream during the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, including collapsed timber retaining walls, fallen trees, household rubbish and even a discarded kitchen oven.
The project is part of the Community Flood Resilience Initiative in the Making Space for Water programme, funded by Auckland Council and central government under its Accelerating Storm Readiness Fund.
To support the Council’s sustainability goals the project team avoided fuel emissions from heavy diesel-powered machinery by using handheld equipment to break the debris into manageable pieces for easy removal. Waste disposal trucks also used waste transfer stations along return routes between Albany and Newmarket to dispose of the debris to further reduce emissions.
“Diverting five tonnes of material - equivalent to 500 wheelie bins - from landfill is a fantastic example of how sustainable thinking can turn waste into a valuable resource, demonstrating the power of circular economy practices in action," said Leigh Steckler, Team leader Healthy Waters sustainable value team.
Healthy Waters has surveyed over 17,000km of streams across the region to identify slips and blockages and is collaborating with local communities to clear them of debris and undertake riparian planting. As well as helping to prevent future flooding, the programme is strengthening community engagement and resilience. The 380 metres cleared in Middleton Stream pave the way for its restoration, supported by the Waitamatā and Ōrākei Local Boards, which also provide ongoing funding to support animal and plant pest control efforts for the stream.
Logs and debris across Middleton Stream.
Community group From the Deck will plant the stream’s riparian margins with native eco-sourced plants next winter.
From the Deck has been working alongside the Te Ngahere project to restore the Middleton Stream and its riparian areas with a 5-year plan of weed control and planting, and since 2018 has planted 4350 native trees.
Their local network meant they were able to coordinate access to the Middleton Stream from private properties, locating the debris with the help of residents and keeping them informed so the project team could carry out their work.
“We’ve been very lucky to have worked with such a great team, Auckland Council, our local boards, and Healthy Waters,” says Penelope Hansen of From the Deck.
“We couldn’t possibly have achieved this without each of you. We’re astounded by the amount of rubbish you’ve retrieved and impressed by its disposal, with half of the debris recovered getting a new life.
“You’ve cleared away a century of carelessness, and we now have a new beginning.”
