St Lukes Environmental Protection Society

meolacreek December 12th, 2007

VISION STATEMENT

To make Waitītiko-Meola Creek a thriving eco-corridor from Ōwairaka to the Waitematā

MISSION STATEMENT

To protect the Waitītiko-Meola Creek ecosystem and enhance its native biodiversity for the climate and our community, by connecting and empowering people

Introduction

STEPS (St Lukes Environmental Protection Society) was incorporated in 2005 to protect and enhance the environment and amenities in the St Lukes area. At that time increased commercial and residential pressure in St Lukes, Sandringham and Mt Albert had already caused some unfortunate side-effects. Most obvious were frequent overflows from combined sewers and stormwater drains. Auckland Council signs warning of the dangers of pollution in Meola Creek were and are an accepted feature of parks and the landscape.

Waititiko-Meola Creek originates from Mt Albert-Owairaka and runs through Kerr Taylor Reserve and the Roy Clements Treeway. A tributary arises in the nearby Mount Albert Grammar School Farm, and together these three green spaces represent a ‘breathing space’ in the busy St Lukes district.

Waititiko has the largest catchment on the Auckland isthmus, including the suburbs of Mt Albert, Mt Eden, Balmoral, Sandringham and Point Chevalier. It runs through Chamberlain Park and reaches Waitemata Harbour just west of Meola Reef-Te Tokaroa, the longest lava flow in Auckland. Te Tokaroa originates at Mt St John volcano and extends over 10 km, nearly crossing Waitemata Harbour to within 600 m of Kauri Point on the North Shore.

Aims of the Society

• Protect and enhance Waititiko-Meola Creek, the Roy Clements Treeway, Kerr Taylor Park, and the underlying aquifer Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta
• Inform people in the use of Waititiko and its environs in a responsible and sustainable manner
• Promote and encourage community involvement and support in the restoration of Meola Creek
• Consult and work alongside iwi, community groups, schools and other stakeholders

One major achievement has been the plantings in the Roy Clements Treeway (a Significant Ecological Area or SEA), where the community joins to plant and weed the rock forest, the flood plain and the wetland every year. The boardwalk in the Roy Clements Treeway is used by hundreds of people every day, and its meanders complement those of the creek. Over the past decade, STEPS has actively worked with the Albert Eden Local Board, Wai Care, Auckland Council Healthy Waters and Watercare Services to support their efforts in tackling water pollution. We have raised public awareness of the problems faced by the area via media and via personal visits from Members of Parliament and several Auckland Mayors over the last 19 years.

We trust that our efforts to raise the profile of the area benefit the creek and our volcanic landscape. Roy Clements is our patron and an inspiration. We welcome new members particularly those with an interest in the catchments of Waititiko and Waiateao Creeks.

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