Viewing platform proposed for Canterbury estuary
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.
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
-
61.7% Summer
-
36.6% Winter
-
1.7% Other - I'll share below
Wooden planks
Does anyone have wooden planks they no longer need? 15-20+ cm wide, 4cm thick and 2-4+ m long would be ideal but any dimensions will suit. Treated or untreated. Happy to pay, swap or barter. Will collect.
Thanks
Raspberries Made Easy – Become a Home Raspberry Grower! 🌿 (Get several plants for $30)
Discover how simple it is to grow your own raspberries, even if you're new to gardening!
Pick up my free ‘How To Grow Raspberries’ guide with your purchase.
Why grow raspberries?
- Prolific fruiters: By following a few simple steps, raspberries will give you a big yield each season.
- Perfect for freezing: Stock up on raspberries for winter—no other fruit freezes as well.
- Effortless growing: They’re surprisingly low-maintenance when you follow a few simple steps (my free guide covers it all).
- Garden-friendly: Wondering if they’ll take over? They won’t! Just follow my free guide.
This sale includes a variety of plant bundles: Choose the best $30 deal for you.
- Get 2x $15 plants (plus 1 small bonus plant)
- Get 1x $20 and 1x $10 plant (plus 1 small bonus plant)
- Get 3x $10 plants (plus 1 small bonus plant)
- Get 7x $5 plants
- Or get a different combination.
Spend more and get a better deal.
All raspberries have been transplanted from existing Clutha, Heritage and Lewis varieties. They produce fantastic raspberries.
All plants are grown in top-quality soil.
Pick up in Rangiora.
With a $60 purchase, I’ll deliver within a 30-minute drive of Rangiora (extra $10).
Get in touch, grab your plants, and the free guide and start your berry-growing journey!
PS I also have thornless blackberries and some pumpkin plants
NOTE-1:
I grow raspberries as well as strawberries, blueberries, thornless blackberries, apples, stone fruit, citrus, tomatoes and more. Raspberries are the easiest by far.
NOTE-2: We will need to exchange mobile numbers before pickup.
Loading…
