Waimate community clean up local beach

During Seaweek, more than 30 people from Waimate came together to collect roughly 60kgs of waste from the beach at Waihao Box Reserve.

Roughly 60kgs of waste from the beach at Waihao Box Reserve.

The Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee, together with Waimate District Council and Environment Canterbury hosted the community beach clean-up.

Among the contents were discarded tyres, a water cylinder, 23 plastic bottles, a fishing line, a washing machine lid, and lots more waste that can be harmful to both ika (marine animals) and manuhiri (visitors) to the beach.

The event was part of the zone committee’s work to engage with the local community and deliver on the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

The day also provided an opportunity to observe the local wildlife with seals and plenty of sea birds spotted.

Children who attended the clean-up enjoyed the Stormwater Superheroes trailer which provides interactive education about the connection between Council’s stormwater network and local waterways.

The Stormwater Superheroes trailer, providing interactive education about connection between the stormwater network and local waterways.

Waimate District Council zone committee representative, Councillor Fabia Fox said that while the amount and nature of the waste collected is a sad display of our negative impact on the environment, the committee is heartened by the enthusiasm of the local community to remedy this.

Focus on stormwater in urban area

"Since the zone committee was established in 2010, we have engaged with the local rural communities and water users to establish priorities and action plans for improving water quality.

Councillor Fox says that the zone committee is keen to ensure urban Waimate residents are also involved in this korero and mahi.

“While some of the zone committee’s activities had to be postponed due to the uncertainties of Covid-19, there are plans to undertake future events to highlight the importance of keeping the urban stormwater network free of waste and toxic substances.

The Waimate community cleaning up the beach during seaweek.

“Ultimately, whatever goes into these stormwater drains finds its way into our streams, rivers and into the ocean.

“The zone committee wants to highlight that there are some really simple steps the whole community can take to help minimise harm and improve water quality,” she said.

Be a stormwater superhero

Information on how to become a Stormwater Superhero is available at the Waimate District Council office, on their website and at the Waimate District Library.

Find out more about what you can do to avoid stormwater being polluted.