Options for Wainui Stream $50k

The findings of a six month investigation in the Wainui Stream and options for the best use of funds to improve the water quality, will be the focus of a community meeting this Saturday 13 August.

Council staff, assisted by local resident John Johnston, completed water quality and sediment testing along the stream between December and May.

“The study has identified main contributors to the poor water quality,” says shared services science manager Lois Easton “with the data, we’ve developed some options to utilise the $50k fine from last year’s discharge event, that could help towards resolving some of the issues.”

“At the meeting we’ll discuss these options and get feedback from the community before recommending a final plan to Council, but the aim is to agree on the biggest ‘bang for buck’.

“We think creating a wetland and planting of stream banks within Heath Johnston Park would treat pollutants in the upper catchment, having a good effect on quality through the length of the stream.”

The Wainui Stream captures rain water run-off from a wide catchment that includes residential areas in Tamarau and Wainui and also rural properties around Sponge Bay and Wheatstone Road.

Among the options are costs for fencing from stock, riparian planting for shading in targeted areas around Wheatstone and Sponge Bay, and education with the surrounding residents on stream health, waste disposal and stormwater drainage.

Replacing or retrofitting the culvert at Murphy Road to reduce blockages and improve water flow, would also have a positive effect on the oxygen and bacteria levels.

Ms Easton says the options give the best case scenarios but not all solutions are able to be achieved with the money available.

“While the solution we end up with will help towards better water quality, unfortunately there is no one measure that will solve all the problems in the stream.”

“It will take a joint effort from Council and residents within the catchment over a number of years to see a noticeable impact on the health of the stream.”

We invite anyone in the community, and particularly residents in Tamarau, Sponge Bay and Wainui to come along to the meeting at Motel Oasis, 5 Sponge Bay Road, 11am Saturday 13 August.

What people can do to help right now:

• Don’t dump rubbish, grass clippings, greenwaste, dog poo or food scraps into the stream or near the banks.

• Keep animals out of the stream.

• Don’t tip chemicals or wastewater into stormwater drains.

• Plant shrubs on stream banks to help with run-off and shade in summer.

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