Meola Creek The Plight of an Urban Creek

The St Lukes Environmental Protection Society (STEPS) was incorporated in 2005. Its purpose is to act as a body, giving voice and taking action to protect and enhance the environment and amenities in the St Lukes area. Read more ...

Meola Creek and the Western Springs/ Three Kings Aquifer system.

stephen October 20th, 2009

Caleb Clarke, who designed the new boardwalk in the Roy Clements Treeway has provided a very useful diagram showing the relationships between Owairaka Mt Albert, Maungawhau, Three Kings and Meola Creek on p7 of this paper. http://www.nzsses.auckland.ac.nz/Conference/2008/papers/Clarke.pdf

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Central Interceptor update

stephen October 20th, 2009

Central Interceptor project.

Watercare Services recently invited STEPS to meet and provide input to the preliminary
design of the Central Interceptor project.

The following pdfs slides show that Meola Creek provides the largest volume of overflows into
the Waitemata Harbour each year.

Central Interceptor and Associated Works Programme Central Interceptor and Associated Works Programme August 2009 Update part 1 of 2 (1Mb)

Central Interceptor and Associated Works Programme Central Interceptor and Associated Works Programme August 2009 Update part 2 of 2 (1Mb)

STEPS is pleased that Watercare Services are working on solving this serious and long
term problem.

For more information see also http://www.water.co.nz/fms/Publications/Interflow/0812interflowfinal.pdf

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Planting Day - August 15, 2009

Freddie August 7th, 2009

STEPS will be holding a planting day next Saturday August 15, 10am

This planting will build on the planting day held a couple of years ago on the west side of Meola Creek in the Kerr-Taylor Reserve

We will meet at the bridge in the Kerr-Taylor Reserve from 10am.

Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible.

Rain date: Sunday August 16, 10am. If concerned about the weather, please call Freddie on 849-3904 after 9.30am on Saturday

Any time you can spare will be welcomed. Hope to see you there.

STEPS Presentation to Auckland City Development Committee

stephen August 3rd, 2009

On 9 July STEPS made a presentation to the Development Committee on significant water issues such as Westfield, St Lukes, plan change, and Winstones plans to fill the Three Kings quarry pit.

Here is the presentation. Presentation Development Committee-0907

Minutes are at http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/committeemeetings/city/m20090709.asp. The city will follow up on progress regarding the Watercare Services sewer interceptor upgrade.


Meola Creek Planting Day, Saturday, July 25th

stephen July 27th, 2009

Saturday 25 July was a fine sunny day - and we had a lot of helpers planting along the boardwalk from Megacentre south to the new wetland.
Thanks to everyone, including our volunteers, Melissa and Metrowater for the plants.
Next planting day is 15 August, 10am - on the creekside at the end of Fergusson Ave. ALL WELCOME.

Melissa Marler, our co-ordinator - is laying out plants and welcoming Gogul Muthu

Melissa Marler, our co-ordinator - is laying out plants and welcoming Gogul Muthu

back row : Gogul Muthu, Tess and Dean Frost, Margaux Ly; front row Greca Ly, Liz Walker and Satje Ly take a break during planting

Nick Goldwater, Freddie Sherwin, Jane Chatterly, Gogul Muthu, John Smith and Trevor Sherwin after putting the last few plants in the ground

STEPS SUBMISSION ON WESTFIELD ST LUKES PLAN CHANGE

stephen July 23rd, 2009

STEPS opposed this plan change on a number of grounds as attached. A summary of all submissions is now available on the council site above.  Anyone can now make a further submission in support of STEPS or other submissions until 31 July 2009.
STEPS submission can be read here.

Changes to Meola, Three Kings, and Western Springs Aquifer

stephen July 23rd, 2009

The large aquifer underlying Meola and Oakley Catchments has at least three names as above. The different names make clear the large extent of the clean water - a “buried treasure” of Auckland City.
As part of their Quarrying operation, Winstones are pumping out water from the top of the aquifer under Meola Creek - and into Manukau Harbour through the stormwater system. STEPS believes this has a direct impact on Meola Creek’s low base flow.

The report prepared for Winstone Aggregates by Tonkin and Taylor Ltd 8 July 2008 p1 “At its current depth (quarry base at RL34, with quarry rim at RL60-RL80 approx), resources are being extracted from below regional groundwater level. Groundwater within the quarry is depressed to below the quarry floor by pumping from a well within the quarry property.“

2009 photo - water is normally maintained at 34 RSL

2009 photo - water is normally maintained at 34 RSL

1998 photo - water is approx 2 metres above water table

1998 photo - water is approx 2 metres above water table (56 RSL)

These pictures give some idea of the amount of water which is removed in order to achieve this.
In May 2009 Winstones applied for a resource consent to fill the hole with “clean fill”.   The Three Kings United group (whose link is on this site) have monitored and researched this situation for many years. They are asking for truck  movements to be limited, and for the pit to be lined with impermeable surface to prevent leaching into the aquifer.

All technical documents are on Winstones’ own site http://www.winstoneaggregates.co.nz/DMS/Three_Kings_Quarry.php?id=40

Re: Meola Creek Planting Day - July 25, 10am

Freddie July 19th, 2009

    A planting day beside the boardwalk adjacent to Meola Creek has been arranged for Saturday July 25, 10am

    Meet at the 32 Alberton Ave end of the boardwalk in Mt Albert at 10am, or simply walk along the boardwalk and it won’t be too hard to find us.

    Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible.

    Rain date: Sunday July 26, 10am. If concerned about the weather, please call 849-3904 after 9.30am on Saturday.

    Any time you can spare will be welcomed. Hope to see you there.

Re: Meola Creek Planting Day - June 27, 10am

Freddie June 22nd, 2009

A planting day beside the boardwalk adjacent to Meola Creek has been arranged for Saturday June 27, 10am

    Meet at the 32 Alberton Ave end of the boardwalk in Mt Albert at 10am, or simply walk along the boardwalk and it won’t be too hard to find us.

    Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible.

    Rain date: Sunday June 28, 10am. If concerned about the weather, please call 849-3904 after 9.30am on Saturday.

    Any time you can spare will be welcomed. Hope to see you there.

 

Meola Creek Map - 1842

Liz May 25th, 2009

NZ Historic Places Trust have recently located an 1842 survey map of Meola Creek source on the slopes of Owairaka/ Mt Albert.  Our thanks to Steve Burgess, Craig Humberstone,   Rendell McIntosh and Alberton, NZHPT.

1842 Alberton Map (2.9MB, PDF)

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