Rising sea levels and erosion have seriously damaged long stretches of the New Zealand coastline but offenders serving Community Work sentences in the Bay of Plenty and Manawatu are helping stem the tide of destruction.
For nearly 12 years offenders have been a pivotal part of a community-led effort to reverse the widespread destruction of Bay of Plenty sand dunes.
Regional Coast Care Coordinator Greg Jenks says the project began in 1995 with the planting of native plants that once dominated the dunes before the arrival of humans.
Thanks to offenders serving Community Work sentences and 1200 volunteers, 120km of dunes stretching from Waihi Beach to Cape Runaway have now slowly but surely been covered with native spinifex and pingao.
Greg is confident this will eventually cover a further 75km of the picturesque coastline.
An international panel of climate change report recently quoted the Bay of Plenty dune restoration project as a world first in terms of size and scale - a claim that Greg is particularly proud of.
"We tell offenders why this work is important and encourage them to take pride in what they're doing. They're doing a great
job and the proof is seeing the bollards (posts) move seaward as the dunes are reclaimed.
"The bollards let the public know that the dunes are protected but in a sense they're also an acknowledgement of the hard work that everyone has put into restoring the dunes. I know some offenders view the bollards as proof they're part of our community and making a meaningful contribution to this effort."
Meanwhile, further south, the ongoing effort to stabilise Manawatu's sand dunes resumes this month with offenders completing
Community Work central to the success of the project.
Manawatu District Council Parks and Reserves Manager, Albert James, says the work includes planting marram grass and native spinifex, building log protection and installing information signs aimed at controlling public activity in the area.
"Offenders have contributed to a number of our sand dune and river protection projects at Himatangi Beach and Tangimoana over the past few years," says Albert.
"They've cleared sand off roads following wind erosion blowouts and assisted with various beautification projects and walkway developments through the townships.
"They've done a very professional job and we're happy to continue a working relationship with them for the foreseeable
future.
"They'll be working alongside conservation workers, volunteers, contractors and local residents over the next three to four years.
"In 1995 the New Zealand Army spent several weeks levelling and reshaping dunes that had moved perilously close to a number of houses along the Himatangi beachfront. We don't want to return to those days and Community Work offenders are helping us ensure we don't."
Got a good story for Community Works or want to request the print edition
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365
Got a story for Community Works or want to request the print edition?
Email commdesk@corrections.govt.nz or phone (04) 460 3365.
Community Works is published quarterly by the Department of Corrections. Contact details for Community Probation & Psychological Services can be found here or by looking under C for Corrections in the Government listings of the Telecom White Pages.
ISSN 1178-1327