stephen June 16th, 2010
Mount Albert Grammar School Cuts Community Links
STEPS is very disappointed at recent initiatives by Mt Albert Grammar School (MAGS) to cut down old trees, build a high iron fence, and block the path which links the MAGS school farm and Alberton Ave with Kerr Taylor Reserve, Meola Creek and Fergusson Ave.
Over the past few years STEPS and MAGS have worked very well together – and only 2 weeks ago STEPS planted the stream side in the school grounds near the boarding school. So STEPS was shocked when MAGS started cutting down some old and stately trees along its Eastern Boundary with the Reserve. MAGS had also blocked the path through to the school farm – apparently for some leaky building site works.
STEPS held two meetings with MAGS over a 12 month period. At the first the school representative denied any knowledge when questioned about school plans regarding the path. In the past week it appears that Head Master Dale Burden has left instructions that the fence is to be finished during his absence in Europe on a fellowship; and that the path to the farm will not be reopened.
The work done by MAGS to help build and plant a boardwalk along the creek, and to fence off and protect the upper tributary which is on their farm is very good. But now they run the risk of severing for all time the links between the two tributaries; and the pedestrian links between Mt Albert and Sandringham. The trees are already gone (see photos attached).
ACTION: If you do not agree with this – please contact STEPS (via this website) or MAGS Headmaster – mailto:dperry@mags.school.nz and cc: STEPS.
la4-kerr-taylor-tree-planting-as-amended-for-scoping
Boundary trees before felling
Boundary trees now
stephen June 13th, 2010
Please find a flyer attached for our next planting day on Sunday June 20, from 10 am. The planting will involve additional planting in the wetland created last year adjacent to the boardwalk along the Roy Clements Treeway. The approximate location is http://www.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=-36.885499,174.729341&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=0&sz=17&sll=-36.885084,174.729435&sspn=0.006814,0.008862&ie=UTF8&ll=-36.885653,174.729373&spn=0.003407,0.004431&t=h&z=18
Any time you can spare is always welcome.
Planting Day June 20th Flyer
stephen June 6th, 2010
UPDATE ON WINSTONES QUARRY
Following on from the item below at http://www.meolacreek.org.nz/2009/07/23/changes-to-meola-three-kings-and-western-springs-aquifer/ ARC and ACC granted Winstone Aggregates Ltd a Resource Consent to carry out earthworks and contaminated site discharges associated with the development of a cleanfill site at Three Kings Quarry, Mt Eden Road, for a term of 20 years, on the 28th November 2009. STEPS, Three Kings United, SEPG, Friends of Oakley Creek, Envirowaste and others appealed.
Subsequently Winstones have applied for a new resource consent, while appeals against the 2009 application are still to be heard. Supporting documents are at http://www.winstoneaggregates.co.nz/DMS/Three_Kings_Quarry.php?id=43
Winstones already have a “dewatering” consent whereby they can pump 5000-10,000 cu m of water (approximately 1-2 Olympic pools ) per day until 2030 out of the Meola-Three Kings- Western Springs Aquifer. Instead of the water flowing naturally downhill through creeks to the Waitemata Harbour, it is now pumped over to Onehunga and flows through the waste water system and into Manukau Harbour.
In regard to the new resource consent application, STEPS is concerned that the interpretation applied to the definition of ‘clean fill’ promoted by the applicant is not properly in accord with that specified in the Proposed Auckland Regional Plan: Air Land and Water, and MfE guidelines for “Clean Fill”.
Attached are two submissions: the first is from STEPS and the Friends of Oakley Creek; the other is the combined submission of Watercare Services and Metrowater; both outline concerns about the potential contamination of the aquifer.
STEPS Three Kings Quarry Submission
Watercare’s & Metrowater’s submissions
stephen June 6th, 2010
On 30 May 2010 we had huge muster of 40-50 people for the planting of the south west stream bank by MAGS. Approximately 1200 plants were completed by 11.15, when we all enjoyed a sausage sizzle. It was a beautiful day, with perfect planting conditions after all the rain we have had.
We were thrilled to have continuing care from Roy Clements, Wai Care, Metrowater, Morphum and other supporters – our thanks to all. Our next planting is on 20 June – see notice below.
Also we will be continue with planting of the area with MAGS students on June 18th and the maintenance contractor All Drains, will be planting the inaccessible areas and under the pine trees etc soon.
stephen June 6th, 2010
Flooding in wetland
- Wetland flooded
Boardwalk under water
Meola Creek submerges boardwalk
See the stress Meola Creek is under when it rains and how the wetland and boardwalk are affected.
stephen June 2nd, 2010
STEPS received the Runner-up Award for Riparian Planting performed by a Community Group at the Wai Care Expo last week and was presented with a certificate and an engraved perspex trophy.
stephen May 4th, 2010
This year’s planting days:
SUNDAY 30 MAY 10AM – Meet Fergusson Ave. Metrowater planting the west side of the stream – with STEPS.. Will walk through school grounds near the boarding hostel.
Click here to see where to meet on Google Maps. (opens in a separate window)
Roy Clements Treeway Planting Flyer
SUNDAY 20 JUNE 10 AM- Meet Fergusson Ave – STEPS planting the wetland.
SUNDAY 18TH JULY 10 AM – Meet at Megacentre entrance to Treeway – Morphum planting north east corner of Roy Clements treeway.
Please bring gloves and sturdy footwear etc., and a spade if possible. Light refreshments will be provided.
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
Tags: aquifer
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
Tags: Watercare
