Community opinions sought for swim spot spruce up

Horizons Regional Council are inviting the Taumarunui community to a riverside event on 9 February to provide feedback on possible options for a ‘spruce up’ of a popular swimming site.

Horizons science and innovation manager Abby Matthews says last summer the regional council ran a region-wide competition where the public voted for their favourite location from a selection of eight to win a ‘spruce up’ in the coming year.
 
“The Whanganui River at Cherry Grove site in Taumarunui soared into first place with 393 of 1100 votes. However, after discussions with stakeholders we have decided to relocate the spruce up to another popular site, the Channels,” says Ms Matthews.
 
“To determine what this spruce up will entail, we’d like to invite the Taumarunui community to join us at the site in a few weeks time to discuss options and ideas. Ski FM are joining us and will put on a BBQ and spot prizes for those that come along, help clean up the area and share their thoughts.”
 
Horizons will be on site at the Channels, at the bottom of Porou Street, between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 9 February.
 
“Our river management staff are in the process of shortlisting what options are possible for the site and these will be put forward to the community to choose from at the event. Ruapehu District Council are assisting with this and have also committed to contributing to the project which is great,” says Ms Matthews.
 
Horizons councillor Bruce Rollinson says he’s looking forward to seeing what improvements the community show interest in.
 
“The 2017-18 spruce up at Mosquito Point in Whanganui included new seating, improved access to the water and the construction of a changing room shed. I highly recommend the community come down, take part in a bit of a river clean up, and have a chat about options over a sausage.
 
“The spruce up is part of Horizons’ swim spot campaign and monitoring programme which is reconnecting communities with their local rivers, demonstrating the importance these rivers have on our social, economic and environmental wellbeing,” he says.
 
“We’re also encouraging ways our communities can get involved from picking up litter to planting trees, all of which contributes to water quality and enhances their favourite swim spot.”
 
For more information about the event keep an eye on Horizons’ social media accounts, tune in to Ski FM or email communications@horizons.govt.nz. More information about the wider Horizons’ swim spot campaign and monitoring programme, including the #swiminourregion competition and $1,500 water related prize, can be found here.