The annual Otaki River Walkover has been organised for Wednesday September 10, with a bus tour from the Upper Rahui down to the estuary giving people a chance to observe the flood protection works being carried out along the river corridor.
A highlight of this year’s event will be an art auction, a painting of Chrystall’s Bend Lagoon by Levin artist Grace Goss which she has donated to the Friends of the Otaki River (Fotor) as a way for them to raise funds for further work along the river. She was inspired to paint the lagoon after reading a newspaper article about the restoration work done at Chrystall’s Bend.
The annual event is organised by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Fotor. Planners and engineers will be present and available to answer questions about the river maintenance. During this year’s tour, there will be an opportunity to observe the dragline operating at the Otaki Lake near the Stresscrete plant. Much of the gravel currently being extracted from the river and lake is being used in the construction of the McKays to Peka Peka expressway
The tour is open to Otaki and district residents and seats must be booked – phone Anna Carter on 0800496734. Buses leave the Otaki Flood Protection Depot on Riverbank Road at 8.30qm and return for lunch at 12.30pm. Strong footwear and warm coats are required.
For those interested in the art auction, auctioneer, Peter Jensen will accept telephone bids by prior arrangement. If you want to bid but can’t be at the walkover, you need to email Trevor Wylie Fotor secretary, at geminiservices@xtra.co.nz or phone him on 06 3648918 prior to the auction day. The auction will be held at Chrystall’s Bend though it is weather dependant.
