Meola Creek

meolacreek December 12th, 2007

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.

The remaining Reserve, which has part of Meola Creek running through it, is bordered by the Roy Clements Treeway and nearby Mount Albert Grammar School Farm, and together they represent a ‘breathing space’ in the busy St Lukes district.

However, this area is under increasing commercial and residential pressure, which has some unfortunate side-effects. For example, Auckland City Council signs already warn of the polluted state of Meola Creek in the Kerr-Taylor Reserve, due to overflows from sewers and stormwater drains that occur several times a year.

Aims of the Society

To enhance and improve the Kerr-Taylor Reserve as an open space for use by the people of the St Lukes area, through working with the City Council, schools and other groups.
To maintain the extent of the existing open spaces by working with all groups who have an interest in the area.
To see the quality of the water in Meola Creek improved, by working to ensure that Watercare Services and Metrowater improve the water quality and replace inadequate drains.

To date, we have been actively working with the Eden Albert Community Board, and are now officially recognized as stakeholders in the Reserve. We have also been working with The Community Board, Wai Care, Metrowater and Watercare Services to come up with a management plan for the Reserve and tackle the water pollution. Furthermore, we have raised public awareness of the problems faced by the area via several articles in the Central Leader and had a visit from former Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard to view the problems in person. We believe that our efforts to raise the profile of the area will benefit the Reserve and local enjoyment of it.

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