FOBC Spring Newsletter
Photo of Spring Colours above our pristine creek
Dear Members,
The hatchery springs site is looking great now winter’s over, thanks to the renewed clearing and planting by volunteers, Corrections community workers, our site supervisor, Claire Van Schie and our Fish and Game colleagues, Paul van Klink and Ben Sowry.
FOBC has for the past 18 months contracted a paid person to undertake approx. 12 hours of site work each week (for approx. 35 to 40 weeks/ year) and we have been extremely fortunate in finding such talented and committed people in Maggie Domingo and then Claire who took over the job from Maggie earlier this year.
Three photos of our volunteers
The restoration work has covered approximately 20% of the total 2.5ha area to date - 4880 volunteer hours have been committed to the site and 5000 native plants have been planted. An impressive achievement for which we acknowledge and thank the great support we have received from you with our Thursday planting sessions.
You may have noticed that our four signage boards are now installed and look fantastic – we have had numerous compliments, including from those with professional expertise in providing public information. Congratulations to Helen Howarth and Eddie Spearing. Do take a look –you’ll discover all sorts of fascinating information about Bullock Creek’s history, ecology and geography.
Four photos of our information boards
Metal signs highlighting that Bullock Creek is spring fed and a unique ecosystem have been placed at points of interest along the creek, with the intent to raise public awareness of Bullock Creek and to connect the source to the lake.
A photo of a metal sign highlighting Bullock Creek being natural spring water
Since the AGM in March when we last reported to you, a lot has gone on - despite Covid - and it is well over-due for an update.
Storm Water
On a less happy note, regular visitors to the hatchery springs site may have encountered flooding and the effects of storm water overflow from the “wet/dry pond” directly above Bullock Creek. This is a holding pond for storm water from the Alpha Ridge development and many of you will be aware this is an ongoing and frustrating issue.
Two Photos of residual Flooding
During July/August/September there were no fewer than seven occasions when FOBC observed and recorded storm water overflow onto Fish and Game land, the wetland and into Bullock Creek, three of which resulted in Bullock Creek running extremely high with sediment laden stormwater. We have posted some of the photos and video on our web site and social media and we have reported the infringements to both ORC and QLDC.
As a culmination to our interactions with QLDC, FOBC was invited to a virtual meeting on the 18th August, hosted by the engineering department within QLDC to discuss the stormwater issues and council’s plans to address them. This meeting was attended by three FOBC Committee members and it proved to be informative but left many questions still unanswered. We are continuing to formally ask questions around actual stormwater management for Alpha Ridge and the developments above.
Two of our councillors, Niamh Shaw and Quentin Smith, have been very proactive in supporting FOBC and our concerns around the continual contamination of Bullock Creek with sediment laden stormwater. Quentin was out in the Wetlands at 10.30pm during one flooding event and took excellent video footage which we have posted on our website.
QLDC staff have committed to monthly reports and regular communication with FOBC on what council is doing to resolve the storm water problems from Alpha Ridge and Studholme subdivisions.
Headline points:
Ø FOBC has been informed of mitigation plans for the storm water issues but we are neither supporting nor opposing the proposed plans as we do not have the expertise to assess the environmental or social implications of such plans. We believe wider community engagement will be required before implementation. FOBC is only one affected stakeholder in this issue.
Ø FOBC is engaged in an ongoing dialogue with QLDC staff about storm water management, asking for detailed information and seeking a site tour of Alpha Ridge and Studholme subdivisions.
Ø FOBC is pleased that council is showing more urgency in taking measures to prevent storm water flooding and pollution of Bullock Creek and the wetland.
Ø FOBC has facilitated QLDC consulting a qualified freshwater ecologist and wetland specialist to review their plan
Ø FOBC has met with ORC’s Environmental Implementation Manager and Team Leader at the hatchery springs site, provided a guided tour, a detailed record of events over the past four years and background to FOBC’s concerns about storm water pollution.
Ø QLDC is internally reviewing an engineering plan to provide a solution to the storm water problems
Urban Catchment Plan
FOBC is mindful that Bullock Creek and the wetland do not exist in ecological isolation. FOBC committee representatives and Paul van Klink from Fish and Game Otago, met with WAI Wanaka in July to discuss the wider issues of how to protect Bullock Creek and Lake Wanaka (into which the creek flows) from storm water and pollution from future urban development. We agreed that an Integrated Urban Catchment Management Plan would be an important start to identify environmental and social issues associated with future development in the catchment and which QLDC should have regard to in their consenting protocols. Wai Wanaka has subsequently submitted a professional case for funding to support defining such a Catchment Plan.
Headline points:
Ø WAI Wanaka has the experience to commission such a study and this will sit within the wider Upper Clutha Integrated Catchment Management Plan. FOBC will provide a supporting role to WAI Wanaka, providing information where we can.
Ø WAI Wanaka identified a potential funding source and sought support from ORC and QLDC
Ø FOBC provided background information on Bullock Creek and FOBC goals and achievements, as a supporting grassroots community group.
Ø WAI Wanaka submitted an application for funding, outcome due in November
Ø FOBC has recommended to both QLDC and ORC staff that an Urban Integrated Catchment Plan is essential to prevent future storm water pollution and flooding of water bodies in the district, including Bullock Creek.
Future management of Bullock Creek source, wetland and hatchery springs site
The FOBC committee has been considering the future of the site in the context of management, maintenance, protection and future ownership. Being a volunteer driven body, FOBC’s capability is subject to availability and commitment of its volunteers and supporters. Hence FOBC has engaged with Fish and Game Otago to discuss plans and options for future proofing and protecting the work done so far and the long-term protection of the site, now a highly valued community amenity.
Under this future proofing umbrella, we (FOBC) will be looking for new committee members at our AGM in January next year. It is a great committee and realising such positive outcomes since its inception has been so rewarding. Do please contact us if you have a possible interest.
Two photos of committee members
Phone: Roger Gardiner, Secretary – 021 117 7220
Headline points:
Ø Becoming a committee member would be a great way to support FOBC and our activities.
Ø Fish and Game’s CEO has welcomed FOBC’s engagement on these issues and asked FOBC to work with Paul van Klink on options to put to Fish and Game council in February 2022
Ø FOBC has convened a sub-committee to consider and investigate options for discussion.
Thanks again to you all for your ongoing support, moral and financial. Our community spirit is hugely important. We depend on your subscriptions and donations to help fund the supervisor contractor. Please keep up your support, appreciate the beauty of Bullock Creek and remind our elected councillors how important it is to protect and preserve its unique qualities and environment.
Andrew Waterworth
President – Friends of Bullock Creek