Waterway Enhancement Programme

The Programme is run in close conjunction with local community groups and other interested groups. A team of Council staff including landscape architects, ecologists and engineers supplies technical advice and resources, while maintaining close contact with local people. The Council team has contacted local communities and has begun work on several waterways including Nottingham Stream in Halswell, Kaputone Creek in Belfast, Avoca Valley and Hoon Hay Valley Streams, Jacksons Creek in Sydenham, Steamwharf Sream in Woolston, Old Lake Outlet near Horseshoe Lake, and Shirley-Philpotts near Shirley.

A useful introduction to this work includes a brand-new video made by the Council and local communities. This is a 10-minute video titled Waterway Enhancement: Tiakina nga Uri o nga Wai . The video may be borrowed from the Christchurch City Libraries, or through the Water Services Unit (no cost required) Christchurch City Council, P O Box 237, Christchurch, fax: 9418-387.

The video introduces people to the ecological importance of waterways such as the following:

• by planting native species from Canterbury, the distinctive natural character of Canterbury is enhanced and biodiversity is maintained
• plants can help assist stabilisation of streambanks
• water quality may be improved by preventing sediment and nutrient run-off from the land through plants
• tree and shrub canopy provides shade, cools water, filters pollutants and helps prevent invasion of stream-weeds
• placement of stones in streams can create habitat for in-stream communities
• streams act as natural "green corridors" which many plants, birds and insects use to migrate, feed or breed. Just as roads act as pathways for people, streams and rivers act as migratory corridors for wildlife.

Rachel Barker
Waterway Enhancement Co-ordinator
Ph: 371-1392