Funding for materials means boardwalk a step closer

Volunteers from the Kingston community rolled up their sleeves on Saturday to clear willows and broom in preparation for a wetland boardwalk.

Members of the Kingston Community Association (KCA) have been raising funds to construct a 120m boardwalk as a means of accessing an area of fragile native plants.

KCA chairman Peter Gibson said the boardwalk would be connected to walking tracks, and give people a chance to experience the native vegetation without damaging the flora.

Leading the project is KCA member Ron Archer, who said a recent contribution of $6656 from the SkyCity Queenstown Casino Community Trust had given them the green light to start making real progress.

"We now have enough money to pay for materials," Mr Archer said.

"We just need to continue raising funds for labour costs."

However, the possibility of using volunteers to construct the boardwalk was dismissed.

"It's going to be a lot of work. I don't think volunteers will be able to get it done," Mr Archer said.

Five years ago, the wetland area, located at the western end of the township, was full of willows and was practically inaccessible.

Mr Archer said volunteers from the community tried each year to clear the area of willow and broom to protect the native flora species.

"If we leave it too long, the place will just become overgrown with willow, and the broom you can see everywhere is classified as a noxious weed."

Fundraising for labour costs will continue over the next few months.

"We will raise the money through various ways and means.

"We'll get there in the end," Mr Archer said.

In total, the boardwalk is expected to cost between $13,000 and $15,000.

Mr Archer said volunteers from the community would continue the effort to keep the native patch free of invading plants for years to come.