Viewing platform proposed for Canterbury estuary

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A proposed viewing platform for the Ashley Rakahuri River estuary is ‘‘a wonderful gift’’, says a local community leader.

The Woodend-Sefton Community Board has recommended the Waimakariri District Council accept the offer from the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group to build a viewing platform overlooking the estuary.

‘‘It is a wonderful gift. It is absolutely amazing and it is the perfect location,’’ board chairperson Shona Powell said.

‘‘I can see everyone enjoying it, from bird watchers, photographers, locals and visitors.

‘‘The estuary is a really precious place and the more people we can get along there to look at it and enjoy it and learn about the world-renowned bird life the better.’’

The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group received a $20,000 bequest from the Annie Currie Legacy Fund and wishes to use the funds to build a viewing platform in the estuary.

Group spokesperson Nick Ledgard said the bequest was a welcomed surprise.

He said the bequest came with a stipulation for the money to be used for a tangible asset associated with volunteers.

‘‘We put before our group the idea of building a viewing platform and it was agreed.’’

The rivercare group has worked with council staff on a design for the viewing platform and will provide volunteer labour to build and install it.

The viewing platform has a simple design and will be wheelchair accessible, Ledgard said.

Once complete the group plans to gift the viewing platform to the community.

If approved at the next council meeting, the council will cover the costs of the consent, the upgrade of an access path and ongoing maintenance costs.

Ledgard said he hoped the project would be completed by the end of this summer.

It would be erected on the south side of the Ashley Rakahuri River, about 10 metres from the estuary car park at Waikuku Beach.

The estuary is recognised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as a wetland of international significance and is a breeding ground for a number of threatened and critically endangered bird species.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.