Environmental projects see funding bump for Christchurch West Melton

Amounted granted: $26,500

This project is designed to address an ongoing erosion and sedimentation problem in a steep gorge in the Port Hills.

The Port Hills Trust Board will use this funding to hire contractors to fence off areas of the gorge most affected by the erosion, which will then enable native planting by the local community.

When complete, this project will increase native biodiversity in the gorge, expand our network of predator trapping (linking the valley floor to the source of dry bush stream), and improve the water quality of the local catchment.  

Amount granted: $15,000

This project aims to connect tamariki with the native urban longfin eel/tuna, a native fish species found in several urban rivers around Ōtautahi/Christchurch.

The Department of Conservation classifies this native fish species as ‘at risk’ and ‘declining’ which is largely due to the poor water quality of our urban river systems, namely the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote and Ōtākaro/Avon rivers. By connecting students with the declining tuna population and the health of our waterways, Christchurch Envirohub Trust encourages activism for cleaner rivers, and the preservation of the ecosystem that sustains the native tuna.

With this funding, the Action Learning Programme will be expanded to additional schools in the region. Ultimately, the programme hopes to help tuna/longfin eel populations to return and thrive in areas where they used to be in urban Canterbury, and protect populations that are still present.

Amount granted: $9,500

Funds from this grant will extend the existing Avon/Ōtākaro in-river litter collection project, a trial that intends to remove and document rubbish from the whole of the Avon/Ōtākaro river system, by an additional 12 months.

The removal of rubbish not only has significant positive ecological impacts, but by involving tamariki from local schools, this project aims to create kaitiaki of the waterways and behaviour change around how we treat our urban rivers and streams.

Due to the sheer amount of rubbish discovered during the first 12 months of this project, the additional funding will allow researchers to complete their initial rubbish removal phase and create an ongoing maintenance schedule to help keep the river free from waste.

Amount granted: $8,000

This project is focused on restoring native bush to the bare and eroded landscape of Horotane Valley.

With little vegetation in the valley, stormwater runoff after rainfall in the area carries sediment from the eroding land into the stream and lower catchment resulting in sedimentation issues. Sedimentation from this catchment negatively affects the water quality in Horotane Valley Stream, Avoca Valley Stream, the Ōpawaho Heathcote River and the Ihutai Avon-Heathcote Estuary.

Funding for this project will be used to repair damaged fencing and help plant 3050 mixed native species in the valley, and 1150 kānuka around gorse and eroded areas. In time, these interventions will reduce sedimentation and erosion, enhance biodiversity, improve resilience to extreme weather events, restore habitat for our native species, support mahinga kai values, provide recreational benefits for the community, enhance community wellbeing and engagement, and support carbon sequestration (capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere).

Amount granted: $6,000

The funding awarded to this project will allow the Christchurch Envirohub Trust to continue facilitating activities with the Stormwater Superhero trailer, a portable engagement tool designed to help the public understand how stormwater affects the health of our waterways.

Contaminated stormwater is an ongoing issue in Canterbury. Many residents are unaware that everything that goes down our stormwater drains ends up in our waterways — untreated. Pollutants in our stormwater threaten the health of fish, insects and plant-life and can destroy precious habitats. The public is also interested in improving the recreation values of urban waterways.

This year, continued funding will allow the Trust to attend 25 community events with the Stormwater Superhero trailer where they will continue to engage with Canterbury residents of all ages.

Amount granted: $5,000
Joint project: Banks Peninsula and Christchurch West Melton Zone Committees, and Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour

Funding from this project will support the sharing of practical knowledge between practitioners related to erosion and sediment control, soil conservation, pasture management and biodiversity enhancement on the Port Hills.

In documenting practitioners’ practical knowledge, this project will ensure that subject matter expertise is made accessible to enable landowners, agencies and community groups to implement trusted and proven practice to improve the health of waterways and biodiversity, especially around erosion and sediment control and revegetation.

Amount granted: $5,000

Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust conducts research on estuary-related issues like the effectiveness of wetland restoration and protection. Findings from the research are used to advocate and plan for estuary improvement.

Funding awarded to this programme will be used to support two tertiary scholarship projects, internships, science fair prizes and other student projects.