River project needs $27,000

Press, 16 July 1982, Page 4

River project needs $27,000

The first stage of a Heathcote River beautification project still needs about $27,600 in grants and contributions. Due to start in October, the project could employ about 50 people for 18 to 20 months along a 700 m stretch of the river downstream from the Tunnel Road bridge, along the Heathcote County bank of the river. Mr W. McGavick, a Christchurch City Council employment promotion officer, told the job-creation working party yesterday that the Government, local bodies, and service clubs might be approached for help with the project. A second stage might go upsteam from the bridge on the same side of the river, towards Bamford Street, he said. The riverbank will be

sloped, treated with fertiliser, and covered with topsoil. Ground cover will be sown. Shrubs and trees will be planted later along the bank made barren some years ago by the dumping of dredged material. A public walking track will start at the bridge, and may eventually terminate at Truscotts Road. The National Roads Board is being asked for permission to allow a footbridge on the eastern side of the Tunnel Road bridge to allow safe pedestrian access to the track and riverbank from Ferry Road. Seating will also be built along the riverbank. The beautification scheme is largely a Heathcote County Council project, supported by the City. Council and the Drainage Board.