Planting day puts the love back into Drury waterways

Monday 18 September 2017

Nature enthusiasts far and wide, regardless of political affiliation, are being encouraged to do their bit for the environment at a tree planting day in South Auckland this election-weekend.

Over two thousand trees will be planted this Sunday on the banks of the Pahurehure Inlet as part of an initiative coordinated by the developers of the new masterplanned community Auranga and delivered by the Sustainable Coastlines charitable trust.

A variety of species including flax, cabbage trees and manuka are expected to planted over a 2,500m2 area adjacent to Drury Creek and Ngakoroa Stream.

A smaller scale student planting day is also taking place this Friday with 200 trees expected to be planted in the area by students from the Park Estate School in Papakura.

Both events follow another Auranga backed project in March this year when a public clean-up of the waterways resulted in 15,611 of rubbish being pulled from the inlet including 910 plastic bottles, 670 food wrappers and 110 items of clothing/shoes.

Auranga’s Managing Director Charles Ma says with 1,350 homes and a new village centre planned as part of the first stage of the development its committed long-term to achieving the best possible outcome for the area, and this includes doing what it can to improve the waterways.

“With the increasing transformation of rural land into residential as part of rapid growth of Auckland’s population we’ve always been aware of the need to ensure the new community we’re creating in Auranga is delivered in concert with the natural landscape.”

“Waterways and green spaces are key part of what makes somewhere a great place to live and the magnificent Drury inlet is no exception. Planting days like this weekend, are a great way to ensure this natural asset can be enjoyed by all for generations to come.”

In conjunction with the projects Sustainable Coastlines has also been rolling out an education programme to schools in the area on the need for riparian restoration and the impact that rubbish is having on the Manukau Harbour marine environment and human health.

Fletcher Sunde from Sustainable Coastlines says the planting days and presentations to students are a great way for the kids to grow a sense of guardianship with their natural environment.

“Planting trees is not only a fun activity but also serves a valuable purpose in stabilising stream banks to stop sediment making our waterways turbid and smothering native flora and fauna. They also help soak up nutrients and chemicals that pollute our waterways, promote the rejuvenation of native biodiversity, increase our connection to nature and help to neutralise carbon emissions.”

“The more we can spread the message and build awareness among the younger generation in particular, the better.”

For those wishing to attend the Love your Drury Planting days, a free Mexican lunch will be provided along with all the tools and equipment they’ll need.

To register go to http://sustainablecoastlines.org/event/love-water-drury-auranga/
To learn more about the Auranga residential development and masterplanned community go to https://www.auranga.co.nz/

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