Newspaper Article 2009 – Pekapeka Wetlands get cash boost

Pekapeka Wetlands get cash boost

HAWKE’S BAY Regional Council is hoping to open up the Pekapeka wetlands over coming months and a recent contribution from the Community Foundation ‘Friends of Pekapeka’ fund.

For 10 years the council has been improving the ecology of the wetlands and over the past 18 months has been working on plans to construct a carpark and boardwalk in what is described as an ‘interpretation area’.

“A big part of the interpretation area is education. It’s why creating this is important,” regional council wetlands manager Steve Cave says.

Earlier this week the Friends of Pekapeka donated $50,000 towards developments at the wetlands.

Construction of the carpark and other amenities began a number of weeks ago but has paused to allow birdlife an uninterrupted nesting season.

“Wildlife has been given precedence over contractors,” Community Foundation chairman Peter Dunkerley says.

Other groups, including schools, 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,” council chairman Alan Dick says.

Pekapeka wetland is a natural historical and cultural feature at the entry to the Heretaunga Plains, alongside State Highway 2.

Construction of the carpark area is due to resume this month and work on the boardwalks will begin this time next year according to Steven.

The total funding allocated for this project is $600,000 which has been contributed to significantly by a Lottery Board Grant of $317,000.

Photo caption – BIG CHANGES: Peter Dunkerley (left) and James Morgan of the Community Foundation and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chairman Alan Dick are planning how $50,000 from the foundation will be used to make the Pekapeka wetlands more accessible to the public.