December 2018Kaituna River re-diversion ahead of schedulePublic access to the end of Ford Road is now open for the summer fishing season. Construction work on the Kaituna River re-diversion project is now about one-third of the way through and progressing well ahead of schedule. Approximately 50 people checked out the progress at a public site tour and update meeting on 7 November. Dredging works are nearly complete and the mauri baseline assessment is underway. The new stopbank on the western side of Ford Road has now been built up to phase one height (2.2m above sea level), and cutting of the new 60 metre wide re-diversion channel has begun. The sheet piling and concrete foundation works to support the 12 large box culverts that will allow water flow under Ford Road have been completed. More than half of the culvert sections have now been placed into their final position. Contouring to reconstruct salt marsh habitat at Te Pā Ika (previously called Te Paika), between Papahikahawai and Ford’s Cut is also underway, using material from the widening of Ford's Cut. The contractors are now taking a break over Christmas, and will be back on-site from 7 January. Further road closures will be in place on Ford Road from 8 February – 27 May 2019 on weekdays and Saturdays between 7am and 7pm. Fishers that arrive at the road end before 7am are welcome to stay all day until the road re-opens at 7pm. Ford Road boat ramp remains closed until June 2020. See our November progress video above. Project background details are available at www.boprc.govt.nz/kaitunarediversion. New bar camera for Kaituna CutBoaties can now check out sea conditions at Te Tumu/Kaituna Cut before they leave home by viewing the live feed from our new bar camera at www.boprc.govt.nz/barcam. Bar crossings can be dangerous due to the often shallow water, breaking seas and reduced stability. By checking conditions before they get there, boaties can assess whether it’s a suitable day for going out or consider launching from somewhere else. The camera installation has been made possible through the provision of internet service by Trustpower. Papahikahawai Island status restoredPapahikahawai became an island once more with the removal of the final causeway in late August. Sea water is now able to flush Papahikahawai Lagoon (in the upper Maketū Estuary) from both sides, so that algae build-up can be reduced and fish habitat is improved. This work complements the restoration efforts by Papahikahawai landowners, tangata whenua and community volunteers who have planted 47,000 native shrubs planted across 7.5 hectares of the island so far with the assistance of Regional Council and Ngā Whenua Rāhui. Planting of another 13,000 plants to re-vegetate a further three hectares of the island is planned for winter 2019. Council staff have noticed increased bird activity in the lagoon already and expect to see further improvements over time, especially when freshwater flows are also restored to the area through the Kaituna River re-diversion project in 2020. Summer Spartina spraying in Maketū estuaryRegional Council contractors will be spraying herbicide at various sites around the edge of Te Awa o Ngātoroirangi Maketū Estuary between December and February, to control an invasive coastal grass known as Spartina. Spartina forms dense clumps that can trap sediment. It can displace native plants and take over sandy areas, mudflats and narrow channels. If left unchecked, Spartina could affect tidal flows and make parts of the estuary unsuitable for fish, shellfish, wader birds and other wildlife. This year’s spraying will be ground-based and from a boat. Timing of the spray work is weather and tide dependent. The spray (haloxyfop) to be used is ‘grass specific’ and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use near water. The spray locations are near private land and not in places regularly used by the public, however signage will be put up and residents of adjacent properties notified before spraying occurs. Swimming or the taking of shellfish is not recommended in spray areas for five days after spraying. Call 0800 STOP PESTS (0800 786 773) or email STOP.PESTS@boprc.govt if you’d like to know more. Extra pumps for Lower Kaituna drainage schemeTwo new stationary pumps have been installed in the Lower Kaituna drainage scheme service area. The pumps have been installed to help manage storm water runoff from Te Puke urban areas that has been causing ponding problems after heavy rain events for low lying farms nearby. Makahae Marae makeoverRegional Council is proud to have been able to assist Makahae Marae in their efforts to restore Te Kahika Pa, through our Environmental Enhancement Fund. Marae volunteers have been removing privet, woolly nightshade and other pest plants to improve the health of their whanau, restore views of their awa (Waiari) and pae maunga, and create space for a manuka block for small-scale honey production; a marae/community fruit orchard, and large areas of native trees and plants for weaving, birdlife, rongoa (medicinal) and educational purposes. Check out a video of some of their recent mahi above. More wetlands at Te Pourepo o KaitunaThe second round of sand extraction and further pond creation work at the Lower Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve has now been completed as part of the Te Pourepo o Kaituna wetland creation project. The sand extraction area has been reshaped to create open water habitat and the margins have been planted with wetland species such as harakeke, mānuka, carex secta and kahikatea. Further planting of the new wetland areas is planned for winter 2019. Whakapoukorero weed war continuesOngoing control of the invasive weed species pampas in the Whakapoukorero wetland is planned for the coming months. Planting and water level improvement work to restore the 22 hectare wetland near Maketū is ongoing. Weed control will be the main focus for the restoration programme this year, to help newly planted areas become established. This $114,000 wetland restoration project is a partnership between the landowners (Te Arawa Lakes Trust), Regional Council, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the Maketu Project Team. Want to know more about our water work?Check out the December edition of our Freshwater Flash e-newsletter. You can subscribe to receive future editions here>> Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.
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