Wildlife habitat planned for Foxton river loop

At the Foxton River loop, from left, SoRT members Alaster Cole, SoRT chairman Robin Hapi and Dr Bob Hoskins holding the consent to restore the Foxton loop. Photo / Ashleigh Collis

Foxton River loop will go some way to having its mauri restored after a local trust was given council approval to begin work that will return the iconic waterway back to a thriving wildlife habitat.

The once busy port area became a stagnant waterway when flood protection work was washed away in an actual flood, creating the Whirokino Cut and diverting the river away from Foxton.

Foxton's Save Our River Trust (SoRT) has been campaigning for four years to gain a consent to restore the river loop at the town verge.

Driven by community support, its vision is to see a water teeming with native fish and bird life, riverside cafes, fishing and boating activities for locals and tourists.

The Trust was granted a 32-year resource consent by Horizons Regional Council that will allow Trust members to undertake substantial enhancement work.

Earlier this year SoRT employed Palmerston North consultancy firm Good Earth Matters (GEM) to assist them with the consent application process.

SoRT member and NZ Landcare Trust Regional coordinator Alastair Cole believes within 10 years the river loop's ecological balance could be fully restored if the community embraces the opportunity the consent provides.

"By introducing large constructed wetlands we are hoping to cleanse the water, and restore native wildlife," he said.

A working party that included SoRT, Horowhenua District Council, Horizons Regional Council, iwi and the Foxton Community Board also supported the application.

SoRT chairman Robin Hapi is excited about the breakthrough consent.

"Not only will this project have significant ecological benefits it will also greatly improve recreational opportunities for the Foxton community," he said.

"Armed with this legally empowering consent we have the opportunity to bring the community along with us on this journey we didn't know we would ever travel."

The enhancement work will include dredging, weed clearance, planting and landscaping and will require mass community support.

"Implementation of the work will be dependent on available funding and resource, as well as the opportunity to coordinate works with other enhancement projects within the local community," Hapi said.

A condition of the consent is that SoRT develop Operations and Sediment Control Plans for Horizons Regional Council approval.

SoRT holds public meetings the last Sunday of every month.

The public is invited to become involved in the restoration project. Contact Jeremy Manks (06) 368-3036.