700 plants were planted on Wednesday 21 March. Planting consisted of the windrows in stage 1 as delineated in Howard’s Minutes of 6 December 2006, i.e. carex, sedge, flax, ti. On the high ground south of the bund: eight species of mixed shrubs and trees. 500 were planted in the morning, 200 in the afternoon.
Howard reports that the experience in his opinion has highlighted two problem areas which need to be addressed: planting labour and release-spraying.
The 13 Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre volunteers, organised by DU member Nicola Morris, Chief Executive Officer of that fine institution, worked well and were cheerful company. It was a long, hard day but planting conditions were good, warm weather with moist soil. As Howard chuckled, “Regional Council staff were forced to work like labourers rather than just provide expertise!” DU committee members present were Don Bell, Jim Law and Howard Egan along with member Colin Stewart and there were three Regional Council senior staff.
Provided the fencing at Site B is completed, planting of the islands and windrows there is expected to take place in July. This could take place on both a weekend when more people are available, and during the week.
The 2006 planting has been release-sprayed three times, of necessity, by Don Bell and Howard Egan. The next release-spray must be done in mid-May, and by a ticketed poisons person. As Don Bell’s responsibilities will have changed by this time, someone else must be found with the requisite qualifications.
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