15 August 2007

Weavers Park rehabilitation praised by Association of Consulting Engineers of NZ

Solid Energy’s creation of a park from the former Weavers Opencast Mine, Huntly, and the local community’s contribution to making the park a success, has been recognised as an outstanding project by the Association of Consulting Engineers of New Zealand (ACENZ).

The mine site rehabilitation, started in 1993, included turning the former opencast mine pit into a lake, developing surrounding wetlands, the planting of more than 30,000 trees and the creation of numerous walking and mountain biking tracks, boat ramps and jetties and other recreational amenities. Volunteer groups and local companies have contributed to the park’s development.

ACENZ’s Innovate NZ Awards of Excellence judges said the project, submitted by Maunsell Ltd for Solid Energy, showed “an exceptional commitment by the community affected, ensuring it is a success. The community has welcomed this project to rehabilitate an opencast coal mine at Huntly and contributed by planting and construction of facilities for use in numerous recreational and educational purposes.

“Solid Energy’s initiative in undertaking the project, and Maunsell’s assistance in making it happen, has been a great asset to Huntly,” they said.

Craig Smith, Solid Energy General Manager North Operations, says the award was acknowledgement of the community’s enthusiasm and practical support for the park. “Over the years of the park’s development the community support has been tremendous. Volunteers from many local schools and sports clubs have put their time and effort into making it a success and local companies have donated material and loaned equipment. The Waikato District Council constructed a boat ramp, jetties and a diving platform. The park is becoming very popular with walkers, runners, mountain bikers, yachties and the occasional swimmer,” Mr Smith says. “It’s turning into a great community asset.”

The lake is a beneficial environmental and recreational resource. It covers 54 hectares, is up to 65m deep and the water quality is exceptional. Maunsell Ltd’s role in the lake creation was to minimise instability of the pit slopes during the lake filling.

Weavers Opencast Mine operated from 1958 to 1993. The park area opened for public use in 2003 and earlier this year agreement was reached for it to be transferred to the Waikato District Council. The council has taken responsibility for the park’s regular maintenance and both organisations are members of a joint management committee.

ACENZ President Andrew Read said the awards aimed to acknowledge innovation, complexity and client satisfaction. This year’s Innovate NZ awards were presented in Napier on 11 August.

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