Radley Park and Heathcote River dredging - landscape plans

Roimata food commons

The Roimata Food Commons group is a volunteer group who would like to see the creation of the Roimata/Woolston Community Hub in Radley Park. This group have already been involved in the existing planting of fruit trees and native plantings within Radley Park. 

The vision for Roimata is to create a mulit-faceted community hub with fruit and berry orchards and large beds to grow vegetables and herbs. The produce from the orchard and garden can then be harvested by the local community to feed those who put time into the garden or to those in need in the community.

If the lease/license is approved, the Roimata Food Commons group would like to have the raised gardens completed in time for September 2018 planting.

Lease/license

If there are any objections to the lease/license proposal then a Reserves Hearings Panel will be required. This panel will listen to any objections and then make their recommendation to the Community Board who will then
make the final decision on the granting of the lease/license.

Dog agility area

Radley Park is classified as a dog exercise area within the Dog Control Policy and Bylaw. This means that Radley Park is recommended and known to be a good place to exercise dogs off-leash.

We currently have around $5,000 available in the current financial year for the upgrade of the dog agility area. We would be interested to know if you use this area and how you would like to see this area upgraded.

Other works

A new solar charging picnic table will be installed near the existing playground this financial year. The solar charge table is a table that can be used to charge a range of mobile devices, such as tablets, phones, games consoles and electronic book readers.

Future unfunded works

These projects are currently unfunded, but we would like to have some feedback on whether you would support the inclusion of these projects if funding became available in the future.

• nature play area
• river connections
• education centre structure
• riparian planting.

Radley Park

Radley Park is a local park with entrances from Cumnor Terrace and Riley Crescent, and bridge access from Connal Street and Catherine Street in Woolston. The park is approximately 3 hectares in size.

The Council agreed this month to fast-track dredging work in the Ōpāwaho/Heathcote River between Radley Street and the Woolston Cut to help reduce flood risk in the area.

The dredging work aims to remove silt build up and increase the capacity of the river channel to direct flood flows to the Woolston Cut and out to the estuary. The dredging will be done in three stages, starting with the area between Radley Street and the Woolston Cut.

This reach of Ōpāwaho/Heathcote River is unique with its vegetated banks, lack of parallel road corridor and inter-tidal environment.

Methods for dredging are still being finalised, but many trees will need to be removed for the dredging equipment to access the area and then do the dredging work.

We are planning significant landscaping after the tree removal and dredging work is completed, to beautify the space, while providing habitat for birds and aquatic life and shade to the river. This will also reduce the need to mow banks in this area as they as they will be planted out.

Current vegetation

The existing vegetation in this area is a mixture of natives (mostly young smaller plants), and exotics including oak, eucalypt, willow and white poplar. The white poplar is a pest species due to its spreading habit.

The tree removals proposed will significantly reduce the problematic growth of white poplars and provide an opportunity for longer term enhancement. Linkages through the area will be further developed as actions progress on the Ferry Road Master Plan and other development plans for the area.

What we are seeking feedback on

Plans 2, 3, 4 show the vision for landscaping after the tree removals and dredging work is completed.

The existing path on the true right bank linking Radley Street to Radley Park will be enhanced, with an aim to maintain tree canopy cover in the area.

Where there is enough space between property boundaries and the river on the true left bank, more extensive planting will be done to provide habitat, shade to the river and canopy cover for the area. Lower profile landscaping will be carried out where space is limited.

We would like to hear your thoughts on the proposed landscape concept, any ideas, feedback or concerns you may have, particularly in regards to access and how you would like to use the area.

Timing

We plan start construction in mid-2018. The construction period is expected to be 3 to 5 months