Old-fashioned values and skills get Waihola job done

Phase two of the redevelopment of Lake Waihola began this week with the dredging of the boat harbour.

The group behind the project, Waihola Looking Forward, completed phase one - the building of a new jetty - late last year at a cost of $100,000.

The community group relied on funding and volunteers to complete development projects in Waihola.

Syd Hogg came from Christchurch to operate an old dragline dredger on the project.

Group member Brian Leckie said, "We are lucky to have contractors close by who have done a lot of volunteer work before."

The cost of the dredging has been funded by an $18,000 donation from Pub Charity.

"The funding has fulfilled our dream," he said.

Mr Hogg said it was expected 2500cu m of silt would be removed from the boat harbour and its entrance over five days.

"We are using old technology to get the job done," he said.

Volunteers would complete the project in September when they spread the dried silt over the domain to fill holes caused by regular flooding, Mr Leckie said.

The boat harbour was built in 1965 and this was the third time a build-up of silt had to be removed.

Mr Leckie said the lake was affected by southerlies which led to a build-up of mud in the harbour.

To combat this, the group installed a groyne - a structure built out from the shore to interrupt the flow of water and sediment - while completing the new jetty. - Ellie Constantine