In April 2015 HELP signed an agreement with the Ministry for the Environment to proceed with the Mangatoetoe Project. It is a three year project aimed to remove weeds along the banks of the stream and replant with natives. The Ministry is contributing about $55,000 and HELP is raising a further $25,000 over the three years.
Hauraki District Council has agreed at annual grant of $3,000 while the James Searle Say Foundation has granted two lots of $4,000. Some funds have also come from the Honda Tree Fund, while Newmont Waihi Gold have also donated plants.
During 2015 work proceeded in clearing the stream banks as far as Station Road. A large willow was removing from the bank beside NES - thanks for their input. A area of pines and weed trees (mostly tree privet) and annuals has been cleared in the area behind the VTNZ/Goldfields Automotive and Hutchins Engineering building. This clearance was supported by the landowner Sharon Warrender and the availability of workers from Macmahon (the closure of the Martha Pit meant Macmahon workers were provided to community groups). Macmahon workers also did a great job in propagating thousands of carex and flaxes for use in the project. This was arranged through Newmont Waihi Gold.
A large area of HDC land at the end of Station Road has been cleared, thanks to some extra support from HDC.
During winter 2015 planting of the streambank between SH2 and Station Road was undertaken, with over 6,000 plants put in.
Signage has being erected at bridge on Kenny Street and on Consols St and a further sign should appear in May 2016 at the Silverton Road/Victoria St corner.
Towards the end of 2015 substantial areas of bamboo were mulched and the regrowth has been regularly sprayed. Some new fencing of the stream has been carried out near Quarry Road (thanks for Hauraki District Council) and a substantial area between Station Road and Mangatoetoe Street will be planted during 2016.
At the same time Waikato Regional
Above: HELP members Warwick Buckman, Mitchell Aitchison and Kevin Merriman removing rubbish from the streambank, just below the SH2 footbridge.
Above: Staff members Chris Parr (left) and Ash Cooper (centre) working on planting the bank below Hella Industries. Member Brian Hepenstall (right) is collecting rubbish.