The Regional Council received a $50,000 boost from the Community Foundation's Friends of Pekapeka fund, adding extra momentum to the project to restore Pekapeka Wetland. Contractors stopped during October to allow birdlife an uninterrupted nesting season and Council expects work to start again during November.
The Community Foundation has a fund named Friends of Pekapeka dedicated to helping restore the 97-hectare remnant of natural wetland. Wildlife is already returning as a result of the project managed by the Regional Council. Other groups, including schools and shooters, are also assisting by getting involved in planting areas around the wetland.
“It has been wonderful to get such great community support, especially with this extra funding,” said Chairman Alan Dick.
Pekapeka wetland is a natural, historic and cultural feature at the entry to the Heretaunga Plains, alongside State Highway 2. The area, especially the hills to the south of Pakipaki as far as Te Aute, once carried a large Maori population. Several events that had considerable influence on the history of Heretaunga took place there.
Wetlands provide breeding places for insects, fish and birds. They also work to improve downstream water quality. At Pekapeka Maori once operated eel farms.
Mr Dunkerley said the foundation planned to continue contributing toward the interpretation site and walkway. All sums collected are dedicated through its special fund, the Friends of Pekapeka. Supporters have included the Kingdom Foundation, Stortford Lodge Rotary and Eastern & Central Community Trust.
The first stage of development - the layby and parking area - has been completed by Regional Council contractors. Planting of the interpretation area will occur during next autumn (2010), with the boardwalk through the swamp to be built during autumn and winter. Council will then install information panels, so people can learn more about the plants and habitat, water values and local history. A boardwalk and toilet will complete the facility.
Fulton Hogan, contractor for the road works, has added a carpark sediment trap free-of-charge as a contribution to this community facility.
The total funding allocated for this project is $600,000 which has been contributed to significantly by a Lottery Board Grant of $317,000.