Deadman's Bridge to Lowburn Bridge
(Distance: 5km)
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In March 2021, LDCT received funding from LINZ as part of 'jobs for nature' and $500,000 will be invested in our ‘Bridge to Bridge’ biodiversity restoration project. This project is focused on restoring native species and improving recreational access/use from Lowburn Bridge to Deadman’s bridge.
Since the lake was created 30 years ago, the shoreline of Lake Dunstan has seen much biodiversity loss, soil degradation, damage from pests, a decline in recreation use and aquatic weed (Lagarosiphon) infestation. LINZ and the trust are working together to manage pests and invasive weed species along this area of shoreline and to introduce native fauna and flora that once thrived in the region. By creating a safer and healthier shoreline for wildlife, we can improve the mental and physical well-being of the community and visitors that travel to the region. Having a shoreline that promotes adventure, imagination and exercise will ensure the lake is utilised to its fullest potential and the continuation of management and development to correlate with the demands of the community. |
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What issues does the lake face?
Lake Dunstan has a large array of issues that impact the well-being of the local wildlife and people who live and visit the area. From invasive aquatic weeds to biodiversity loss, we are working to bring together the needs of the community with the activity of stakeholders to better manage these to ensure the safety of all well into the future.
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Plants: what should be here?
This project is about saving and restoring the biodiversity of our shoreline and creating a legacy that impacts the lives of everyone that lives near and visits Lake Dunstan well into the future.
Species selection is a vital part of ensuring the ecosystem is restored is what would naturally be found in the area but also of those that can survive the harsh conditions. |
Project Timeline
May 2023
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May marks 8 months since the planting in McNulty Inlet. These before and after photos show the true scale of what has been achieved so far and how much the site has transformed.
The plants are continuing to thrive in the new conditions and they are bursting out of the guards after impressive growth over summer and autumn. Once rabbit and weed infested, it is now covered in thousands of tussock, ribbonwood, Kohuhu, kōwhai, kānuka, Mānuka, harakeke, and koromiko. Some are already flowering and providing food for our wildlife, and it won't be long until the rest do too! |
April 2023
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In April Cromwell youth Trust helped us plant 300 more plants at McNulty Inlet to add to the thriving ecosystem being created!
Corrections also continued to help us manage the weeds and monitor plant health. |
March 2023
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March's focus was on continuing the maintenance of the site with corrections and Te Tapu o Tāne working hard to keep the site healthy and thriving.
This month we also submitted an funding application for a 5km trapline along a section of the sohreline to help control possums, mustelids and rodents. As these plants grow and attract wildlife, both will become more of a target for these pest species. We are looking forward to hearing of the outcome of the application and will keep the community informed of the project progress and how the can help once the trapline is established. |
February 2023
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The Te Tapu o Tāne crew finished clearing the entire 1.2 ha sight of weeds that had grown over the summer to give our natives space to grow without competition for water, nutrients and space.
This was a massive task and we thank them for their hard mahi to hand-weed the entire site. We also want to that the CODC and transfer station for allowing us to dispose of the weeds. Despite one of the driest summers in record, the amazing irrigation installed by TToT, Waterforce and Fulton Hogan has allowed our plants to establish and survive the intense Central Otago sun! Corrections has also restarted their weekly community work on this project, and we thank them for supporting our efforts to restore te taiao. |
January 2023
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After a beautifully hot (and dry) Christmas break, the work gone into providing the best conditions for our plants to establish has been worth it! Plants are thriving and already looking to burst out of their plant guards with so much growth over the last few months!
With better conditions for native plants come better conditions for weeds. During January the crew returned to start weeding the site and had a helping hand from the Cromwell Youth Trust to remove exotic species competing for nutrients, space and water with our natives. |
December 2022
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Summer = irrigation!
With one of the hottest summers on record on its way, hundreds of metres of irrigation were needed to ensure the plant's survival over the hot, dry summer! A big thank you to CODC and ORC for working with us to get the water supply sorted and Fulton Hogan for plumbing in the connection. The team at Workforce Cromwell worked with the TToT crew to site prep and lay hundreds of metres around each plant on site. |
November 2022
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This month the crew finished spreading over 1,200 cubic metres of mulch over the site which was a huge job! Due to the layout of the site, much of it had to be carried up the hill so a huge thanks to their hard mahi.
Once the mulch was done, the crew commenced clearing lupins along the shoreline to improve access. The skilled crew are making great progress and the shoreline is looking heaps better. Corrections are also helping us this month to clear the weeds and site maintenance. Also this month. TToT crew helped weed the Cromwell Primary Site from May to help suppress grass that can compete with the saplings. The plants have adapted well over winter and thriving! |
October 2022
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What's next for McNulty Inlet?
Over the coming weeks, the crew will be finalising the project ready for growth in summer. With any planting project, whether in a dry Central Otago site such as McNulty Inlet or your own back garden, some losses are expected. To combat this, further topsoil, mulch, water crystals, a high-quality irrigation system, and rabbit fencing are being installed. A new and improved footpath will also be created to allow the community to visit, explore and enjoy the newly established habitat and wildlife it will attract. Separate from this, weed clearing will also be undertaken between Deadman’s Bridge and Lowburn Bridge. |
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On Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October 2022, we partnered with Te Tapu o Tāne - Growing Trees & Communities and Trees That Count to deliver the largest community planting event ever seen in Cromwell. Over 200 people from the local community and businesses came together to plant 10,000 native trees & shrubs to increase local biodiversity and community well-being.
Video by Tuatahi Creatives |
September 2022
Preparations began for our first planting next month in McNulty inlet. Through partnering with Te Tapu o Tāne and Trees that Count we are holding an amazing community planting weekend where 10,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted on the hillside to reintroduce wildlife to the barren site.
July 2022
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Bridge to Bridge Landscape Plan unveiled
Created by Rough & Milne, Wanaka |
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Lake Dunstan Community Visioning Report 2022 unveiled
Created by Shaping our Future |
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May 2022
We undertake our first planting along Lake Dunstan with the help of Cromwell Primary students and many amazing local businesses
February 2022
The trust advertised tender to deliver the project to a local contractor, company, organisation etc and interviewed applicants.
January 2022
Our Landscape plan for the project is finalised and signed off by our trustees. Nest step is to present to stakeholders and interested parties and receive feedback and assistance.
November 2021
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Our staff attended the NMIT Trapping method course to learn about the best methods to trap mustelids, rats and hedgehogs along Lake Dunstan to protect our birds, lizards and invertebrates.
We look forward to installing traps next year and working with the community to create extensive traplines around Cromwell. |
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October 2021
This month we were busy working with local ecologists to investigate our site and create effective plans to achieve the most successful outcomes, connected with nurseries on large planting orders, meeting with Richard Lord on the ORC's future plans for rabbit control in Central Otago and continued to develop our landscape plan with Rough & Milne.
September 2021
Duncan Faulkner was replaced as Project Manager and returns to the role of chairperson for the trust
Duncan temporarily stepped down as chairperson to kick start the project's health and safety accreditations and get planning underway until a suitable project manager could be contracted. During this time, Werner Murray was chairperson.
Duncan temporarily stepped down as chairperson to kick start the project's health and safety accreditations and get planning underway until a suitable project manager could be contracted. During this time, Werner Murray was chairperson.
April 2021
Choosing the location
The shoreline between Deadman’s bridge and Lowburn bridge was chosen as it is a high-use area that desperately needs restoration of both its recreational use and biodiversity. This section of Lake Dunstan is important for swimming, boating and families; especially in the summer months. It has seen much soil degradation and ecosystem loss due to rabbits, poor management and weeds.
The shoreline between Deadman’s bridge and Lowburn bridge was chosen as it is a high-use area that desperately needs restoration of both its recreational use and biodiversity. This section of Lake Dunstan is important for swimming, boating and families; especially in the summer months. It has seen much soil degradation and ecosystem loss due to rabbits, poor management and weeds.
March 2021
Help this project
Our first project, Bridge to Bridge, is the first step in the right direction! As guardians of our environment, we all have the responsibility to repair the damage humans have done to the region and bring back the animals and plants that improve the health of the environment and our own mental well-being.
Any donation, big or small will enable us to provide more resources to our project.
Any donation, big or small will enable us to provide more resources to our project.
