Community Gathers for Roys Hill Planting
Landmarks Trust members and Hastings District Council staff are rolling up their sleeves to turn the former Roys Hill landfill into a place locals and visitors alike can enjoy.
In 1954, Hastings Borough Council established the former quarry as a rubbish dump and in 1988 it was closed. Until 2000 hard fill was dumped on top to form an impermeable cap as a condition of its Hawke’s Bay Regional Council consent.
The plateau is elevated metres between 15m and 20m above the riverbed below and provides 360 degree views of the Gimblett Gravel vineyards, Heretaunga Plains across to Te Mata Peak in the East and the Kaweka Ranges in the West.
For the last few years the site has simply been grazed by stock but in recent months HDC staff have contoured and grassed the site in preparation for the start of the re-vegetation project.
Council has provided funding to complete the first area of planting and irrigation to the site and a planting day on Sunday, September 20 will be the first step of the re-vegetation project, with more than 2000 native shrubs being planted around a central grassed plateau.
The landscape plan (attached) incorporates a range of native plants at the front of the site and around the base to enhance the site and its ecology, a grassed elevated area on the top and a looped walkway track which circles the 11 hectare site.
Landmarks Trust member and Deputy Mayor, Cynthia Bowers says the community is eagerly coming onboard to help turn what has been a scruffy site in the past into a space for the whole community.
“Despite its humble history as a rubbish dump it will be a great place to visit when it’s transformation is complete, eventually becoming a usable open-space with a stunning lookout to the world renowned terrior of Gimblett Gravels and beyond,” Cr Bowers says.
“Hastings District Council and The Landmarks Trust are working together on the project and the neighbouring Gimblett Gravels Vineyards and the Hawke’s Bay Kart Club have been extremely supportive – this will truly be a community project.
It’s hoped future stages will be progressed with assistance from community groups, schools, volunteers, business donations and key stakeholders.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the people of the district to help create a recreation asset for the whole community to enjoy.”
The site is currently closed to the public but it’s intended Roys Hill will be open in the first half of next year.
For more information
Erin Harford
Communications Manager
(06) 871 5056
027 275 5205
