Pat on back for clean-up

Plans to turn a weed-infested Waitaki River island which has a former rubbish dump into a community asset has won an environmental award for the Kurow Town Enhancement Group.

The Weedbusters award, to be presented tomorrow, recognises the group's work in cleaning weeds, gorse and waste from Kurow island, between the State Highway 82 twin bridges over the Waitaki River at Kurow.

One of the group's members, Sandy Cameron, said yesterday the community was very excited by the project and delighted with the award.

"The island has huge potential both environmentally and for recreation and tourism, including fishing, jet-boating, picnic areas, cycling and walkways," she said.

As islands were an integral part of a braided river system, there was also the opportunity for the development of environmental educational opportunities, including bird and native flora studies.

Some of the funding for the project came from Meridian Energy's Waitaki Community Fund.

The fund, to the value of $1 million over three years, is managed by community members and Meridian staff.

Fund chairman Mark France said the project was a good example of the environmental enhancement envisaged by Meridian when it established the fund in 2006.

 

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