Dec/Jan 09-10 Dec/Jan 09-10 www.mapua.gen.nz Coastal News covering Mapua & Ruby Bay, email: [email protected] run by volunteers Native forest ‘gateway’ proposed proposal for a native forest “gateway” to The idea has gained favour with some community Mapua may emerge from discussions between groups which have so far looked at it, including the Acommunity groups and the Ruby Bay by-pass Mapua and District Cycle Walkway Group and the road makers. Coastal Initiatives Group. A possible change to New Zealand Transport The Waimea Estuary subcommittee of the Agency’s landscape plan for the Higgs Reserve area of Community Association, which has proposed the plan, the by-pass, near the junction of SH 60 with Dominion aims to promote the estuary and Mapua’s location. The Road, is being considered. Discussions are at an early subcommittee calls the estuary a “taonga” (treasure) and stage. says it is rated as one of the most important in the country After one meeting with representatives of the because of the large number of species there. It is also Community Association in early November, managers rated as important internationally because of the large from New Zealand Transport Agency (formerly known number of migratory birds. as Transit) agreed to consider a suggestion from the The committee points out that the Higgs Reserve area Waimea Estuary subcommittee of the Mapua and will become increasingly important to Mapua for a District Community Association for the “gateway” number of reasons. These include: project. a) For the majority of people coming to Mapua, the The proposed park project would involve land on Higgs Reserve area will be the turn-off and a logical the north side of the by-pass in an area between place for a distinctive “gateway”. Dominion Road and Seaton Valley Road. This was purchased for the by- pass construction but marked for disposal after work finished (see the accompanying map). Under the proposal, it could become part of a park with a sequence of native vegetation stretching from the estuary shoreline to tall trees and a series of existing high- quality wetlands in the upper valley. These largely undisturbed wetlands are in a gully between Seaton Valley Road and Chaytor Road. The project is regarded as providing a unique opportunity to have at Mapua’s front door an example of the vegetation that was once widespread around Waimea Estuary. The team at The Coastal News would like to wish all our readers, contributors and advertisers a joyful Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year Native Forest gateway contd: b) It will be a crossroads for walkway-cycleways a kahikatea-pukatea forest which was estimated to linking Mapua to Dawson Rd, Chaytor Rd and to a extend over 320ha. new cycle-walkway now being developed, which will The Waimea County Council (now Tasman follow the Old Coach Road route to Lower Moutere. District) had also proposed that the Higgs Reserve reed c) It could also link to future cycle-walkways that beds should be protected because of their importance will follow the estuary coastline to Appleby and then for banded rail. The county council also proposed link to cycle-walkways to Richmond and Brightwater. that existing native plants should be supplemented with The vision for a “shoreline to tall trees” reserve “kahikatea, pukatea and other damp-loving trees”. In comes originally from the Department of Conservation. 1985, it drew up a draft plan for the reserve, but it was A September 1989 report by DoC wetlands expert never adopted and, because of access difficulties from John Preece identified the high ecological values in SH60, the reserve has been given only minimum the area. maintenance and attention over the past 20 years. The report said that the estuary edge near Higgs The opportunity for the community to have input Reserve was in a relatively natural state with sea rush into the NZTA landscape plan came about because of and jointed rush leading up to marsh ribbonwood and some late changes the agency decided to make. NZTA providing a good breeding and feeding area for banded is committed under its consent to a process of rail and other rare and threatened birds, such as marsh consultation with DoC and the Tasman District crake. Mr Preece said that DoC had plans to link up Council. However, in this case, it has gone further than the estuarine edge with a sequence of other native that and is involving iwi, the Coastal Initiative Group plants leading to tall trees like kahikatea. and it was also prepared to consider ideas raised by “Most of the Waimea Inlet was once surrounded the estuary subcommittee. by forest, but now there are only a few tiny, isolated The “gateway” proposal and other matters relating remnants,” he said. The Higgs area represented one of to Higgs Reserve were discussed at a meeting the very few opportunities to have a complete sequence involving representatives of NZTA, TDC, DoC and of vegetation ranging from reeds to ribbonwood and the Mapua and Districts Community Association on then to manuka and finally to tall trees like the November 12. kahikatea, which is noted for the rich fruit it produces, A draft report produced by the estuary sub- attracting particularly tui and kereru. committee was subsequently distributed to all parties “It is certainly the only place where it would be and some Mapua community groups. It is available possible for the public to see such a vegetation for reading at the Mapua Library and electronic copies sequence from a main road.” are available to anyone interested. People wanting a Because of the high natural values in the Higgs copy should send a request to [email protected]. Reserve area, Mr Preece opposed the final route chosen Any letters of support, from either individuals or for the road through the estuarine areas of the Higgs organisations, would be welcome. NZTA is looking and a neighbouring DoC reserve. However, he said for evidence that the proposal does have support in that if engineers felt there was no other option for the the community which at this stage needs only to be road, there were clear objectives for landscape for the idea in principle. Any proposal that might come mitigation. These were: from the discussion process would almost certainly • Re-establishment of estuary-edge habitat for be referred back to the Community Association for banded rails and other rare birds and further consideration and it would also involve the • Creating a complete vegetation sequence council. through to tall forest. The subcommittee welcomes comments, The estuary sub-committee suggested that a suggestions and any letters of support. These should kahikatea forest “gateway” would be very appropriate be sent to [email protected]. They will need to because the name “Mâpua” means “fruitful, abundant, be lodged as quickly as possible because of the speed and bountiful”. It was a term specifically associated with which NZTA is working on the issue. with the fruiting stage of kahikatea trees, and recalls David Mitchell the presence in the Korepo (Seaton Valley) Swamp of Coastal Garden Group ur speaker for the November was Richard us how pergolas, planting and decoration were used to Snethurst. He’s a landscape designer who has lead the viewer’s eye away from the raised pool. He Orecently moved to New Zealand, and now works placed a large emphasis on low voltage lighting and for Nelmac. He gave an interesting talk, using a use of water features. He mentioned that the UK doesn’t computer and projector to illustrate gardens he has have the restrictions we do over here when it comes to designed. He says that people tend to inherit their ponds, as a result they are more much more common gardens from the previous owner and don’t like in UK gardens. changing the structure; they are reticent to cut down We welcomed several new and returning members trees or change existing plants. to the club and, as usual, had a well-attended meeting. People should change their gardens as often as they Announcements were made regarding upcoming garden decorate their houses and not be afraid of swapping tours, the Mapua Show and the new local Fair Exchange plants. Things to consider in garden design are: shape, event. After afternoon tea we had the plant auction, contours, privacy, climate, movement of the sun, soil this month we had a very large amount of plants for type, what plants grow well, drainage, existing features sale. We rounded off the meeting with Barry and Janet and views. leading the discussion on the extensive array of One problem he often encounters when someone interesting blooms and shrubs that had been brought brings him in to do a job is that of the budget. The garden in by members. owner doesn’t want to tell him what the budget is, so The next meeting is our Christmas party on he has to tactfully extract it from them. 3 December in one our member’s gardens. We’ll Richard showed photos of gardens he has designed, have a demonstration on how to do topiary along with and explained why things were done. For instance, he the festivities. If you’d like to join us, please call Barry had to disguise an above-ground pool, and explained to Highsted, 540-3139. Richard Banfield, Secretary Garden Notes ummer—the time when we can take a well Tasks for December: Remove spent flower heads. Sdeserved rest from our labours and enjoy some One can still plant dahlia tubers. Lift daffodils, tulips of the fruits of our toil, pick or dig fruit and vegetables and hyacinths and store in a dry bag.