Work is underway to remove the poplars and willows for the $1.6 million Riverside Park development in Alexandra.

The tree clearing is a collaboration between the Central Otago District Council (CODC) and the Otago Regional Council (ORC).  

Riverside Park Trust chairman Rory Mclellan said it was great being able to walk down to the end of Tarbert St and see the riverside project getting underway. 

“Even better, we’ll be seeing the vista of the Clutha/Mata-au and Manuherekia rivers open up before my eyes.

“It’s been a long time since people could look across to the Roxburgh canyon from this angle, because of the trees,” he said.

"It’s going to be so good seeing this area get cleaned up and utilised.”

He said the tree removal project was a great example of cooperation, “that the two councils can work together with us as a community to get this preliminary work done,” he said.

CODC is working closely with mana whenua-owned organisation Aukaha to promote kaitiakitaka, the mana whenua value of environmental stewardship. 

Aukaha has provided a Kāi Tahu cultural design integration that reflects Kāi Tahu values, narratives and traditional place names specific to the area.

"Kaitiakitaka is a world view for takata whenua in that we have a role to protect the mauri or life force of our natural environment. By removing these introduced species (poplars and willows), we have an opportunity to restore the awa, rebalance the ecosystem and encourage wildlife back to this scenic spot," an Aukaha spokesperson said.  

ORC river engineer Scott Liddell said the tree removal had already been on the ORC’s works schedule.

“ORC had vegetation removal planned in this riverside area as part of ongoing maintenance. The timing of this was changed to fit with the project which will contribute to connectivity to the river.”

The carpark will remain closed for the next week while the tree work takes place.

The site itself is of cultural importance to mana whenua.

Kāmoanahaehae is the name of the junction of the rivers Manuherekia and Mata-au, and a way finding marker in the path of the Mata-au system.

Work recently commenced on stage one of the project, which includes formation of a new entry to The Warehouse carpark. 

Anderson Fencing and Earthworks together with their landscape architect Neville Stewart Landscaping as construction partner won the council’s open tender to design and complete the work.

A new plaza area will feature seating, shade trees, and a river access pathway leading off a viewing platform overlooking the confluence of the two rivers.

A 6m high sculpture or pou whenua will be commissioned to welcome visitors to the area, with the aim of drawing their attention to Kopuwai on the Old Man Range.