Plans to replant damage at Onoke Spit

HELP: Replanting is needed on the fire-damaged part of the spit. PHOTO/FILE

The public is invited to help replant the western side of Onoke Spit that was damaged by fire last month.

It took firefighters two hours to control the fast-moving blaze, believed to have started with a fire left going on the beach.

Denise MacKenzie, co-ordinator of Friends of Onoke Spit, said the fire had ruined years of hard work by volunteers restoring the native plant habitat.

The Friends committee has agreed to spend $4000 on plants and protectors to put a further 1000 plants in the ground.

Department of Conservation and Palliser Estate Wines are also helping, matching the Friends' contribution.

Planting days will be held on June 7 and 19 starting at 10am, meeting at Onoke Spit at the end of Beach Rd off Western Lake Rd.

For more information, phone Denise or Dougal MacKenzie on 06 307 7749