The Waihi public can now visit a previously inaccessible wetland reserve, thanks to the Rotary Club and community workers from the Department of Corrections. Offenders serving community work sentences helped Rotary’s assistant regional governor Sel Baker construct the boardwalk at Gilmour Reserve - a challenging project in difficult terrain.
Senior Community Work Supervisor Steve Clarke says workers had to build pontoons before constructing the boardwalk itself because of the water depth. Engineering firm Boffa Miskell Ltd designed the 140 metres long boardwalk which is 1.5m wide and sits 60-75cm above the wetland, he adds.
Steve’s role involves organising work projects, supervising work groups at project sites and checking that work standards are being met. The boardwalk project was completed with the assistance of 700 hours of community work labour.
“The local community seems to be making the most of the new facilities,” says Steve.
A traffic count taken soon after completion showed an average of more than 200 pedestrians per day, plus dogs, bikes, scooters, wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Community work is a community-based sentence which requires offenders to do unpaid work. The aim of community work is for offenders to pay something back to the community for the offence they have committed. It also gives offenders an opportunity to take responsibility for their offending and learn new skills and work habits.
Suitable projects for supervised groups include those sponsored by local councils, government agencies, voluntary organisations, marae, sports groups and other community groups.
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ISSN 1178-8453