Media Release

5 September 2007

Project Twin Streams a finalist at global environmental awards

Waitakere’s Project Twin Streams has been recognised as a global leader in the protection and restoration of the city’s streams for future generations.

The project was runner-up in the prestigious, $AU$300,000 International Thiess Riverprize competition - the results of which were announced at the River Symposium in Brisbane last night.

Project Twin Streams was competing against three other international projects including the (eventual winner), International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), and restoration projects for Lake Simcoe (Canada) and the Yellow River (China)

Harry O’Rouke, CEO Waitakere City Council who presented Project Twin Streams to the symposium attendees said, "It is marvelous to see Project Twin Streams on the international stage - competing with such high profile projects as the Austrian Danube River entry and the Chinese Yellow River entry. It very much validates the amazing work which we undertake in the Eco-City."

The International Thiess Riverprize is a partnership between Riverfestival and the International Riverfoundation – which was established to advocate the protection and restoration of the world’s rivers and waterways for future generations.

Project Twin Streams is a multi-faceted project which uses the power of community participation to restore restore 56 km of stream.

While the focus of the project is on stream bank restoration, the vision encompasses better stormwater management, how land is used, how households can become more sustainable, and how cycle and walkways along streams can influence public health.

The project is delivered by local communities in partnership with Waitakere City Council.

Community collaboration was clearly the name of the game with The Danube River project winning on the basis of its collaborative approach to improving the water quality in Europe’s second longest river.

"Twin Streams isn't just an environental project, it's about bringing communities together and neighbourhoods taking ownership of their surroundings," says Mr O’Rourke .

"The true success of Twin Streams can be seen every weekend when dozens of volunteers are out weeding, planting and cleaning up rubbish.Those community partnerships are critical to its success."

"This result shows that we are clearly among the international leaders, in terms of using river restoration initiatives to manage our city better while building strong communities," he says.

This was confirmed by International Riversymposium chair Professor Paul Greenfield.

"As we move into a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty around water security, I am convinced those who develop and refine the knowledge and approaches for protecting, restoring and sustainably managing river systems, will become our water heroes," he said. "They are the global vanguards who have remained committed for many years to maintaining and rebuilding the health of rivers world-wide" he says.

ENDS

© Scoop Media