Blog Archives

Working Bee Landcare Okareka Saturday 28 May 2016‏

25/5/2016

Dear Landcare Okareka volunteers and supporters

A huge thank you to everyone who came to help with last month's Landcare Okareka working bee, where a lot of tidying up was done along the existing Lake Okareka walkway. The leaves were removed from the drainage channel near the start of the walkway; numerous flaxes were trimmed, along with other plants adjacent to the walkway. A great job!

THIS MONTH'S WORKING BEE : Saturday 28th May 2016
WHERE: Lake Okareka Community Hall, off Okareka Loop Road
WHEN: from 9 am until 12 noon - there will be a Health & Safety briefing and sign in, before starting
WHAT: Planting and mulching - we hope that RLC will be able to come and remove the old existing plantings on either side of the Hall, before Saturday - and bring some mulch in - the weather this week has not been very co-operative, so far...
WHAT TO BRING: suitable clothing, rain gear (as it looks from the weather forecast that it will be wet), gardening gloves, spades, shovel, rake - and if you have one - a wheel barrow (to help shift mulch).
We will bring morning tea and drinking water for everyone.

NB: Please check your emails on the evening of Friday 27th May 2016 - to make sure that this Working Bee is still on.

Kind regards

Sandra Goodwin
Secretary
Landcare Okareka
Phone: 07 362 8865
Email: sgoodwin@actrix.co.nz

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Working Bee Saturday 7th May Okareka Walking Track‏

3/5/2016

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Hi there everyone

Working Bees involving all of the volunteer team have not been held since early December 2015. However, work on the walking track has continued - with the completion of negotiations with DOC for the track work to proceed including the contracted work of Owen Builders, for the timber boardwalks. The letter of approval from DOC was published in the first LOCA Newsletter of 2016. This replaced the draft MOU that LOCA had been working under since work on the walking track commenced back in October 2014.

Cost of the contracted work, following receipt of 3 quotes from specialist builders, was $108,000 plus GST. Funding applications by LOCA to various charities were made during 2015 and we were successful in gaining 4 grants totaling $85,000. Thanks to all of the efforts of the LOCA volunteer camp wardens at the DOC camp over the last 4 years, a healthy bank balance has been accumulated to pay for the rest of the contractor's costs along with other costs associated with the rest of the track which is to be timber edged and compacted gravel. The aim was to construct a walking track suitable for walkers, and those in push chairs, wheelchairs or on mobility scooters.

Builder John Owen and his team are nearing completion of their contracted work on the boardwalks. Mike Goodwin and Brian Law have undertaken volunteer work placing timber edging, compacted gravel (2 truck loads, using wheel barrows!) and laid the geo textiles within the gravel, to link the first sections of boardwalk to make work site more accessible for the builder and his team. See attached photos.

Verda International, a local Rotorua timber company have given LOCA an extremely competitive deal on timber for the track edging, pegs, etc. Rotorua Quarries are supplying 250T of GAP 20 track gravel at no charge to LOCA (Thank you to them!). Cartage is being provided by T.W. Moore from the quarry to Boyes beach at minimal charge.

Now we are ready to undertake more volunteer work to complete the walking track.

WALKING TRACK WORKING BEE - THIS SATURDAY 7th May from 9 am to 12 noon
Please park in car park at Boyes beach, and make your way across to the Te Waiariki Purea Trust (TWPT)recreation shed and office for a Health and Safety induction and sign in at 9 am.

WHAT WORK TO BE DONE: Clear an area of bracken to create a viewing area, above the wetland. If time may also clear further weeds along the track.

WHAT TO BRING: Suitable clothing and strong footwear, gloves, sunhat and sunscreen (if needed), raincoat (if needed). Tools - if you have them: spade /shovel; loppers or pruning saw; wheel barrow.

Bring your own drink and a snack.
Any time or assistance you are able to give is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Sandra Goodwin
Secretary
LOCA

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