Saving precious rains from drains

Plans have been drawn up for a new style of street in Fendalton where rainwater is filtered on to roadside plants and so removes pollutants from the water.

This will happen in Waiwetu Street, off Fendalton Road, where the Council is proposing to renew the kerbs, dish channels, footpaths and grass berms.

Stormwater run-off from roads pollutes the city's natural waterways so it is proposed that stormwater be allowed to run over grass and/or through roadside plantings to remove most of the pollutants.

Concrete channels also increase the flood flow in waterways, so it is proposed that the street gets natural swales instead of the channels.

The scheme is going through the public consultation process at present. Waiwetu Street could also be narrowed with more prominent landscaping.

Fendalton-Waimairi Community Board believes the proposed changes offer a "special opportunity for an environmentally friendly integrated design approach".

The road will be eight metres wide and there will be a new shared cycle-footpath along the western side. This will link the Jeffreys Road cycle path with the Fendalton Park cycle path. When Fendalton Road is upgraded, it is proposed to build a cycle-pedestrian refuge in Fendalton Road opposite Waiwetu Street.

The eastern side of Waiwetu Street will have a footpath only, meandering among the new plantings. Mature trees on Council land near McCarthys Waterway will be preserved where possible.

There are also plans for the McCarthys Waterway, involving converting some of the piped portion into an open, enhanced waterway.

Residents are being asked by the community board to make submissions to determine the final plan.

For more information contact area engineer Brian Boddy on 941 6724.