Foreshore Working ‘Thursday Group’ - May Report
Committee Report
Tena Koutou Katoa
Tasks for this month
Weeding and pest plant removal from the Plane Table Esplanade Beach through to below Skinner completed for now. All warratahs have been placed on the edges of the storm water drain plantings to prevent damage from mowing andiris. We have had one session at Scott’s Beach removing a large patch of blackberry and iris. The area was also scoped for planting next week behind the pump house.
Improvements: It’s great to see a QLDC contractor weed eating this area as it will make the planting easier next week. It is also pleasing to note that the QLDC contractor has fixed the water supply leak and installed an improved system on Flora Dora parade. Two tables have been removed from Kitesurfers and Esplanade beaches by QLDC contractors for mending.
A wasp nest was discovered with one member getting a sting with no serious adverse effects luckily. The wasp nest was treated and work returned the following week. Vinegar is now in the trailer as an antidote. We are on wasp alert as we have seen wasps during work days.
Ashes have been found on the reserve.
At the Recent HCA community meeting I reminded residents, especially those whose boundary meets the reserve to not dump ashes, grass clippings, plant trees or trim or remove trees. As there has been a high number of properties changing hands, many who are absentee landlords, they were reminded to know exactly where their boundaries are and remove any pest plants infiltrating the Reserve, some of which was obscuring the outlet of a storm water drain. This will be followed up by a letter from QLDC. The QLDC Reserve is covered by the NZ Reserves Act so any removal or installation without council consent is a prosecutable offence.
Diana Manson, QLDC Reserves Officer spent a morning with us firstly informing us of the updated QLDC Volunteers Agreement that replaces the MOU. As it covers all volunteers only some applies to us. There is now a clearer line of communication regarding public requests, reporting damage but anyone is free to put in an RFS to QLDC. A pest plant calendar has been created and will be placed on the HCA Website.
Wildlife: Great to see Karearea, piwakawaka, kereru, tuis and bellbirds having fun while we work.
Total hours = 103
Nga Mihi
Gaye Robertson
Co-ordinator
14.05.2021
