Public invited to third planting day at Roys Hill

The third stage of the Roys Hill Restoration Project will take place this Sunday.

The project will redevelop the former dump site into a green park for families to enjoy with landscaping, a walking track and other public amenities.

The first stage of the development was undertaken in 2009, when the public helped plant around 2500 native shrubs while further planting along the front and base of the hill was completed last year on the 11 hectare site.

The Landmarks Trust has been involved in the development of a landscape plan for the site and President Joyce Barry says” the whole area is starting to take a new and exciting look as the early plantings begin to mature. The cost of planting is funded by the council and private enterprise and it has been heartening to see many local businesses joining the restoration project. Landcare Research has also recently made a grant to the project which will help greatly in the supporting the third stage of planting.”

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says “this year’s sponsors include CJ Pask Winery, Think Water and Farmlands and their involvement is instrumental in the development of this new open space.”

Chair of the Landmarks Advisory Panel, Kevin Watkins says “this Sunday marks another important milestone in the redevelopment of Roys Hill. The public will have the opportunity to see the results of the first two stages of planting and participate in the third stage. Future development includes a looped walkway track that will circle the 11 hectare site.”

Members of the public are invited to help with the planting on Sunday September 25th from 10am till 1pm. Anyone wishing to attend the planting should bring their own spade and gumboots while a BBQ lunch will be provided.

Council plans to open Roys Hill to the public once this stage of planting has been completed, car parking areas are developed and fences and information boards have been erected.

Roys Hill was the site of the Hastings City Council dump from 1954 until it was closed in 1988.From then until 2000 hard fill was dumped on top to form a cap and the area has been progressively grassed.