It’s May, so it is all about trees! Pruning has just been done in Franklin Road and Browning Street. Leaves are being collected and council arborists are planting trees in our parks and berms, replacing those that have been lost and more.
In addition, many community environmental groups are out planting seedlings in our parks and reserves and working to restore our urban streams. This can be a deeply satisfying way to spend a morning, get to know like-minded people in the community, and make a positive impact. If this interests you, have a look on the council volunteer or the Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao website for opportunities to get involved.
The environmental programmes the board has funded over the year have been oversubscribed. This includes the upcycling workshops at the Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre and the Schools Treasuring Waiōrea programme based in Te Wai Ōrea / Western Springs Lakeside Park.
The “Construction Waste Revolution” programme has been so successful at diverting building materials from landfill (40 tonnes in the last year, up from 23 tonnes the year before) that it is being taken up regionally. As construction waste makes up the majority of materials sent to the dump, this is a big win.
The Waitematā Local Board was the first board to adopt a climate plan and continues to be proactive in changing how we do things. The latest success has been “sponge gardening” in Western Park that is reducing flooding downstream. Sponge gardening involves piling tree waste and mulch on the ground to break down naturally. This means more nutrition for plants and trees, and it also helps soils absorb water. We are looking to build on this work in the future.
We will decide on the projects we will fund next financial year (through our annual plan agreement and work programme) in June. Thank you for all your input. We heard from you that there is strong support for libraries, grants and environmental restoration programmes and our annual plan will reflect your views.
Alexandra Bonham
Waitematā Local Board chair