Young people hanging signs
Young people do not normally “hang out” in the industrial areas of Gracefield. However, on Thursday, 10 July local businesses people would have seen youth wearing fluorescent vests clustered around stormwater drains on their streets. And when they departed they had left behind brand-new ‘Drains to Streams’ plaques glinting in the winter sunlight.
“We were actually fundraising to support our youth development programmes,” explained Nga Ara Kete (NAK) spokesperson Wiki Samuels, “but our young people also wanted to help protect the environment for their own futures.”
The young people glue fixed the marine grade aluminium plaques next to stormwater drains on Bell, Gracefield and Hutt Park roads in the Gracefield industrial area.
“Our young people were pleased to be able to help raise public awareness that drains from Gracefield roads lead directly to the Waiwhetu Stream, and they also learned a lot about how everyone effects the environment without realising it,” Wiki added.
Over the next few months Hutt City Council will be carrying out work to identify ways to reduce further the risk of contaminants entering the stormwater drains. This will include investigations into the quality of stormwater from private properties in the area. Owners and occupiers in the Gracefield area can expect to receive further information and visits from Council’s Trade Wastes officers who can assist them in improving discharges to the stream.
In addition, the new $2M Gracefield stormwater pumping station and associated drainage improvements will reduce flood risk to industries in the area.
Pictured right gluing a plaque in place is Danni Pori 15yrs.
The group pictured below shows from left: Terehia King, Chas Mc Gregor, Danni Pori, Julie Tefono, Fabian Kimiora, George Marks, August Faa'fua, Ngametua Matenga, Dylan Hemopo, Liam Matagi.
Both photographs were taken by Moeara Matenga
For further information contact Hutt City Council by phone on 570 6666 and ask to speak to Sandy Beath-Croft or email contact@huttcity.govt.nz.
