Joel Barrie and Jasper King-Smith proposed building a rain garden outside the Sumner Redcliffs Anglican Church on Nayland St, with the church’s support.
“A rain garden is a simple, sustainable design that uses plants, soil and natural filtration to slow down and clean stormwater before it enters the drains,” said Barrie.
The year 13 students at Shirley Boys' High School were tasked with a class project to influence a policy change by carrying out social actions to address an issue in their community.
Barrie lives in Sumner and he has seen firsthand the impact flooding has on the community’s daily activities and the coastline’s health.
“With Sumner’s exposure to rising sea levels and more intense rainfall events, the issue is likely to worsen unless a sustainable solution is introduced soon,” he said.
The pair submitted the rain garden proposal to former Heathcote Ward city councillor Sara Templeton.
Head of council’s three waters Gavin Hutchinson said the proposal was added to the city council’s considerations for Sumner’s coastal adaptation planning, but more work was needed to look at options and benefits as part of the programme planning.
"At this stage, we do not have an undertaking to build this rain garden," he said.
Said Barrie: "We believe prompt action is needed.
"Flooding continues to affect residents and public spaces on Nayland St, and our proposal offers a sustainable way to start addressing the issue now rather than waiting for large-scale infrastructure upgrades."
He said in rainfall events, the stormwater accumulates along Nayland St, particularly around the church.
The students looked at surveys and mapping and interviewed residents, community leaders and city council staff as part of their project.
They then developed the plan for the rain garden.
"It uses natural processes to slow and clean stormwater before it reaches the drains. It’s also something that can be built on a small scale but still make a visible impact," said King-Smith.
"We liked that it’s sustainable, relatively low-cost, and community-friendly, and that it improves flooding, water quality and the look of the street."
The design includes native plants suited to coastal conditions, helping attract biodiversity.
"Small, local actions can inspire change and show others what’s possible when people care about their surroundings," said Barrie.
He plans to study a Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability at Canterbury University next year.
King-Smith is taking a gap year to travel in Asia, despite receiving a scholarship to Otago University.
However, tertiary education in the environmental and land management sector is still something he wants to pursue in the future.
