20 March 2000

Wetland Reserves Get $140,000 Lottery Money

Three Christchurch City Council reserves that are links in a chain of wetland areas along the east coast have attracted Lottery Grants Board money.

Further development of each site will enhance their ecological, recreational and educational values, says a Christchurch City Council Parks Unit planner, Kelly Hansen.

The Lottery Environmental and Heritage Committee has given $85,000 for the development of the Travis Wetland site.

This is the largest freshwater wetland remnant on the Canterbury Plains conserved for the protection of endangered and vulnerable plants and animals.

The committee gave $25,000 towards the development of the Bexley wetland site. The site is 12.5 hectares of low-lying land and provides a habitat for a diverse range of birds, such as pukeko, putangi (paradise shellduck), white-faced herons and grey duck.

The development of the Brooklands Spit site has attracted $30,000. The Brooklands Lagoon is an ecological valuable salt marsh and dune system that provides important habitat as well as recreational opportunities. The funds will be used for the restoration of estuarine vegetation, vehicle and weed controls, and walking tracks.

The money will be spent over two years in conjunction with the groups associated with each site.

Further information:

Kelly Hansen
Park Planner
941 8688.