Lake Hāwea Foreshore Working Group Report - AGM 2021
Tena Koutou Katoa
The work of this volunteer group began in the mid 1980’s and we now continue the restoration and ecosystem enhancement phase. The group operates as a co-operacy: ie with a co-ordinator assisted with others with plant knowledge, irrigation, herbicide and chainsaw, and planting expertise, as well as members’ use of own vehicles and trailers, Te Kakano, Matukituki Alpines, plus Lake Hāwea Green Waste. We also have “hidden” volunteers who report anything untoward happening on the reserve on their daily walks and those who give us generous donations. We are a group of very mixed backgrounds and mostly retired.
WORKPLANS: We have managed to keep to our agreed work plans-by the group and QLDC to time, regardless of two Covid - 19 lockdowns, plus two levels three and two now in the Delta phase conditions. Two sweeps of the reserve have been completed over the year, and we are now on the third. Most of the work continues to involve weeding, protecting, irrigating and planting, plus observing heartening signs of birdlife, insects/lizard and plant growth, and collecting rubbish.
With a push to increase plantings of locally sourced items we are now either replanting or filling gaps made by removing large areas of weeds such as blackberry, ivy and lupin. We are mindful of growth over time and refrain from planting that may block neighbours’ views or cause unnecessary work along the track ie flax and Te Kouka. Two walkthrough inspections are carried out with the QLDC Parks and Reserves Officer as well as two with one of the team. This informs the workplan.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS: We continue to plant up storm water drains and any area of dampness to assist sequestration and prevent pollutants entering the lake. Most of the rubbish collected is either plastic, glass, metal bottle tops or paper.
We aim to remove weeds with careful use of herbicide gel, spraying with the appropriate herbicide for the plant, and in optimal conditions so as not to harm any indigenous flora and fauna. Weeds will ruin all the work gone on before by smothering of indigenous plants if not removed. Recent herbicide GroSafe training has been given to a volunteer.
Concerning is the escape of weeds eg ivy and others from the boundaries of some properties which spread into the reserve. Occasionally we have found some minor vandalism, plus rubbish and grass clipping dumping, but mostly folk just enjoy the reserve.
PROGRESS: We are now continuing to see considerable regeneration of kanuka, broadleaf, pittosporum and coprosma species. A focus is on planting dryland species, especially those that produce berries, supports food for insects, lizards and birds. Indigenous orchids mostly on the banks are very obvious.
The equipment trailer continues to be a great asset with all tools and other equipment in one place which saves time, wear and tear on own vehicles, and it’s easier to audit contents. We also have some new very active members of the group- sometimes the numbers reach 12.
Our annual community educative walkthrough the reserve last year attracted a small number of folk but we did gain one extra group member. An invitation from Hāwea Flat school for their ” listen to the local experts” series was given to the co-ordinator who presented an interactive session on who we are, what we do, why we do it, what has developed in the reserve, and the other school request –“the values of the wounded lake”! This was handled by what we know, lots we don’t know, what we all love about the lake eg swimming, fishing, just enjoying its solitude and a good plan for future jobs would be to study water science.
We see McCanns skinks, cave wetas, bellbirds, tui, karearea, kereru, grey warblers, and plant regeneration which is an indication of a healthy ecosystem.
STATISTICS:
A total of 205 locally sourced plants are in the ground.
Twenty seven work days over 40 weeks have been carried out.
Approximately 900 hours have been worked – at the minimum wage this has saved QLDC $18,000.
Cancellations due to inclement weather – 11 (includes Cpovid-19 lockdowns and level 3).
RELATIONSHIPS:
We value our relationships with:
Community members who let us know anything untoward in the reserve, or give us accolades
Contact Energy for spraying below the edge of the cliffs and beach head, and advice on cliff collapse
QLDC contractors for spraying below the Contact Energy fence line and general maintenance of the
track, lawns and equipment as well as support from the Reserves Officer
HCA who generously support us with finance for equipment.
THANKYOUS: To all of the above, reserve users, and mostly the volunteers who willingly give of their time and expertise, and who also provide friendship, on a very regular basis. This adds greatly in supporting me in my role of co-ordinator. It is a most enjoyable learning experience.
Nga Mihi
Gaye Robertson
Co-ordinator
29.09.2021
Feedback and Questions
(Please submit these before 7pm 3rd November )
Link to all AGM reports, forms and other information
