Te Ara Awataha 2020 Update

Progress on Te Ara Awataha – a greenway for Northcote – has been good this year, despite the disruptions brought by COVID-19. Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve achieved.

Construction on Greenslade Reserve commenced to transform the reserve into an attractive new public space with:

• a high-performance sports field
• an improved stormwater network underneath to service the Northcote area
• a flourishing urban wetland
• recreation facilities, including terraced seating, a BBQ area and a new walkway.

The work is being led by Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters.

Panuku Development Auckland and Healthy Waters acquired a parcel of Ministry of Education land at 31 Fraser Avenue and 145-157 Lake Road for the school’s edge portion of the greenway.

The 9980sqm sloping, unusable site (about the size of a rugby field) formed part of Northcote Intermediate School and Onepoto Primary School.

Kate Cumberpa

Greenslade Reserve entered stage two works. This work involves the lowering of the existing sports field and the replacement of underground stormwater pipes to reduce the risk of flooding in and around the town centre.

In September the entire reserve was closed to begin earthworks to lower the field. The construction team from Piritahi has been digging up stormwater pipes to install bigger ones. This will enable more capacity by reducing pressure on the network with the incoming new housing development. Construction of the wetland is almost finished. This will restore natural ecosystems by encouraging new natural habitats in the wetland and connect the community to nature.

Despite challenges created by this year’s lockdowns, the project is tracking well. Work is expected to be completed and Greenslade Reserve will be reopened to the public in winter 2021.

• Work continued on the restoration of Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, the source of the Awataha Stream.
• The community-led restorations days, delivered by Kaipātiki Project on behalf of Panuku, recommenced following the first nationwide lockdown. July was the largest attended yet with over 200 plants put into the ground.
• The greenway project teams have continued to collaborate with mana whenua and their mandated artists to integrate cultural design and narratives across the greenway project.
• A signage and wayfinding strategy got underway for Te Ara Awataha. Panuku is working with Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, mana whenua artists, mana whenua, and the Kaipātiki Local Board to further develop and refine the strategy which will ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to signage across Te Ara Awataha.
• As part of an ongoing Zero waste / Para Kore Northcote project, Te Ara Awataha is exploring ways to reduce waste through its design and construction.