Close look at river loop

MEMBERS of Environment Network Manawatu on the Piriharakeke Walkway in Foxton. PHOTOS: ASHLEIGH COLLIS

While on a biodiversity trip with more than 20 members of Environment Network Manawatu, Horowhenua Chronicle reporter Ashleigh Collis was stunned to learn the environmental issues facing the Foxton river loop were worse than she thought.

I was about to find out the hard work still ahead to try and restore the loop as I jumped on the bus bound for the Piriharakeke Walkway, a 4.5km walk along the loop, part of the bio-diversity trip organised by Environment Network Manawatu which is made up of 40 organisations that encourage environmental initiatives in the Manawatu.

Piriharakeke translates to 'the river to which harakeke flax clings', and was the original name for the loop.

The walkway was created by volunteers of Save our River Trust (SoRT) to share the story of how the Whirokino Cut destroyed Piriharakeke. Out of the bus and down under the Whirokino Trestle, I walked along observing the stagnant and weed-infested waterway.

In 1943 the Whirokino Cut was installed (part of the Lower Manawatu Flood Control Scheme) to be a spillway but an unexpected flood cut off the Foxton loop from the Manawatu River, severely reducing flow through the loop.

Foxton's harbour was no longer able to function and eventually, with the accumulation of silt and sediment, the upper part of the loop became completely cut off from the main part of the river.

SoRT member and NZ Landcare Trust regional co-ordinator Alastair Cole explained that through SoRT's partnership with Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council, local iwi and the Foxton Community Board, they hope to open up the river loop, a project that could cost upwards of $4 million but would greatly improve the river's ecological balance.

Cole pointed towards the land lying under the Trestle, saying if the area was turned into a wetland, it would act as a natural filter and improve the water quality of the area but it needed 'buy in' by the land owners, one of which is Horizons Regional Council.

With up to 3000 cows along the Whirokino Cut at any one time, I couldn't understand why Horizons would lease out the land for cattle grazing when the manure had such a detrimental effect on the waterway.

We reached the end of the walkway that came out on the corner of Harbour St and Purcell St in Foxton, the junction where SoRT's massive dredging machine sits waiting to be begin its work, removing silt build up from the loop.

At the Wildlife Foxton Centre in Main St, Cole brought out some of its native reptiles as he talked about the goal to create an educational facility aimed at inspiring the younger generations to care for their environment.

Next, we jumped into boats for a tour of the river loop itself. Seeing the loop from this perspective was both sad and exciting; I could envision the river as the thriving port it once was, compared to its sad reality.

Cole pointed out riparian planting undertaken by SoRT volunteers over the years, an impressive feat that filled me with admiration for their efforts.

From the boat I could see pipes discharging into the loop, surprised this was allowed to happen as the limited flow washes the discharge up and down the already struggling waterway.

This biodiversity trip showed me that SoRT volunteers really have their work cut out for them, and I admire their passion and dedication to restoring Foxton's iconic waterway back to health.

One day I hope to see families learning about our environment at the Wildlife Foxton Centre and enjoy fishing, swimming and playing on the loop.

To find out more about Environment Network Manawatu projects visit enm.org.nz.