AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

16 August 2007

Council recognised in sustainable environment awards

Four Auckland city projects have been recognised at the Auckland Regional Council’s Sustainable Environment Awards held in Auckland last week.

They included the restoration of the Waiatarua Wetlands, the Friends of Oakley Creek ecological protection project, the Churchill Park School zero waste project and sustainability education in Meadowbank School.

The Waiatarua Wetland restoration took out the Sustainable Public Sector Award – an award presented to a public organisation that demonstrates leadership by implementing business environmental practices or projects that have enhanced the local community.

Michael McQuillan, group manager for the council’s Environmental and Utility Management group, said the award was a feather in the cap for council and the staff who have worked on the project for over seven years, especially Grant Ockleston, the council’s manager for water and landfill operations.

“We are particularly proud of this project. It is the largest urban wetland restoration undertaken in New Zealand. What was previously a degraded bog has been transformed into a quality wetland providing storm water treatment and wildlife habitat benefits that Aucklanders will enjoy for generations to come,” Mr McQuillan says.

"These wetlands, with 60,000 new plants now planted there, remove more than 80 per cent of sediments that were previously entering the Waitemata Harbour via Orakei Basin from the Waiatarua catchment. They also reduce the risk of flooding to nearby homes. The discovery by rare birds of the upgraded wetlands, including the kotuku or white heron and scaup (native duck), is also testament to the project's success.”

This is the second award for the Waiatarua Wetland restoration – it also received the Arthur Mead Memorial Environmental Award in 2006.

The Friends of Oakley Creek project won in the Sustainable Urban Communities category for protecting, preserving, enhancing and restoring the ecological health of Oakley Creek. Council officers worked closely with the community group to provide practical advice on improving the creek environment.

Churchill Park School – who had been assisted with their zero waste project by council waste education officer, Lindsey du Preez – received a Youth Category award.

Auckland City Council’s WasteWise schools programme facilitator, Nicki Elmore, was awarded joint winner of the Environmental Education category for her work with Meadowbank School on sustainability education.

“At Auckland City Council we are serious about ensuring a more sustainable future. We want to keep Auckland’s future bright by achieving environmental best practice, finding the best solutions to problems and committing to environmental sustainability,” Mr McQuillan says.

The biennial ARC Sustainable Environment Awards recognise and celebrate those individuals, groups, schools and businesses in the community who care for our environment and heritage and who work towards a sustainable Auckland region.

ENDS

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