Newsletter

Issue 18 October 2011

If you have recently walked through Riverbank Terrace Walkway and Coffey’s Walkway, you will have noticed the new entrance signs.  We are pleased with this step, and expect it will encourage more foot traffic.  Even over the winter months the flattened grass tracks indicate good use of all the walkways.

You will find an entrance to Riverbank Terrace Walkway in Gilmour Reserve.  In the vicinity of the footbridge traversing the outflow from the lake you will see one of the new signs.  Entranceways can also be located at the bottom of Rosemont Road, and at the end of Wellington Street, near the Coffey’s Creek swimming hole.

Beryl George has made various contributions to Waihi Walkways over many years; on the committee, as Chairperson, Treasurer, and more recently she has grown plants to add to the environmental initiatives.

Beryl has been tempted to (sunny!) Tasmania to be near her family. Thank you Beryl for your energies and enthusiasm over the years. We wish you well.

Where? you might ask.  We have recently named the reserve area next to the Victoria Street bridge.  If you are lucky you will observe Pukeko enjoying this area… one of our few remaining larger indigenous birds not endangered. 

This area will be the downstream exit (or entry) to the Silverton Walkway when it is available.  In the meantime we have over the years developed it into a delightful quiet picnic area. There is limited access to the Ohinemuri River, but kayaks can be launched or retrieved at this site now.

See our previous newsletter for some images of the development stages, this project has transformed the area over 4 years of volunteer work.

Thanks again to Honda Tree Fund this season we have added many more plants to the banks.  Hauraki District Council has added bollards with chain, and the picnic area is mown by our volunteers.

Thanks also to Waihi Rotary, there is seating which overlooks the river.  We encourage you to sit awhile, and enjoy the bird life in the Totara trees and the quiet flow of the Ohinemuri River.

For the second year the biking/walking event used part of Mill Stream Walkway in completing their circuit around the township. The event included Black Hill (Ngati Koi Domain) walkway and the Pit Rim Walkway. We understand it was a successful event.

Great credit is due the Waihi Walkways volunteers.  Over many years the volunteers have worked in all places and spaces around the walkways. 

After the trees are planted, and the tracks established, ongoing attention is required to develop and maintain these lovely walkways.  As the years pass, the seedlings grow, more birds are seen in the area, and the environmental enhancement initiatives start to become apparent.  However it takes vision and perseverance to maintain a project which takes many years to mature. 

Waihi Walkways volunteers are frequently about, planting, weeding, mowing, trimming; and working to enhance each area.  Keeping an area clear from weed invasion, or re-invasion is a challenge and needs regular attention.

Recently a student from Bay of Plenty Polytechnic volunteered for a week’s work experience.  Casey undertook some maintenance jobs by weeding and releasing plants from competitive grasses.  She became adept at the identification and removal of privet seedlings.  Thank you Casey for your commitment during the week.

Waihi Walkways Committee is keen to continue all the good projects already in place – three of our walkways are well developed, environmental enhancement is ongoing, as is heritage identification and interpretation.

Finalising of Silverton Walkway has been delayed, but we are working with Hauraki District Council and are confident this great project will come to fruition in good time.

Mapping of Waihi’s Heritage features is well underway, and will become a great resource for individuals, groups and statutory bodies alike.  More about this great project in another newsletter. 

Don’t forget to check out the www.ohinemuri.org.nz website regularly.  More historic documents will be posted in the coming weeks and months, with some fascinating information.  Did you know about our local Kokako in the upper Waitekauri Valley?

We are considering two concepts to develop - the route from the Waitete Valley up to Waitekauri, and a loop route incorporating the Walmsley municipal dam site.  Other possible routes have been identified and added to the wish list.  Watch our newsletters for developments!

Be sure to look out for spring flowers as you walk through Mill Stream Walkway.  Predominant is Mingimingi and Hangehange in September and October, and a little later, the Mahoe flowers.  They all smell magnificent. Enjoy the fragrance of the bush as you walk through.  The first tree Fuchsia we planted in previous seasons are also flowering.  The flowers are delicate and hard to detect, but loved by Tui and Bellbird (Korimako).  In time, as the trees mature, they will provide much needed nectar during the early spring when food resources tend to be scarce for these birds.

We celebrate new members joining, and welcome Bob and Derek. Your contributions to the team are appreciated.

Brett Wisheart, Chairperson: 863 6602

Ruth Ordish, Coordinator: 863 8600

PO Box 241, Waihi 3641

admin@waihiwalkways.org.nz

www.ohinemuri.org.nz

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Waihi District Walkways Inc. PO Box 241 Waihi New Zealand

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