Rubbish discarded up to 60 years ago has been collected from Temuka’s Taumatakahu Stream.
The Lions Club of Temuka recently held working bees along the stream, after noticing a build-up of weeds and unwanted vegetation along the stream’s walkways.
Project organiser Tony McGillen said on closer inspection they found a large amount of debris which had been dumped in the stream bed.
Mr McGillen said they had picked up insulators and old bricks from the riverbank, which were dumped on the council reserve sections way back in the 1960s by New Zealand insulators; the items had slowly rolled into the stream.
He said they were mostly seconds or damaged.
Mr McGillen said the working bees were not about condemning anyone or pointing the finger, ‘‘but to get things done’’.
The project — which fell under the club’s youth and environmental umbrella — had involved two working bees.
He said they hoped to model the project along the lines of the Student Volunteer Army formed after the Christchurch earthquakes.
Once debris and unwanted vegetation had been removed, a programme of native planting was planned.
The club wanted to invite anyone interested in helping with the project to come along.
‘‘You don’t necessarily need to be young, but reasonably fit and have a passion for making the stream and surrounding walkway beautiful and healthy again.’’
If anyone is interested contact Tony McGillen on 027 373 5055.
