A New Approach to Stream Restoration Trialed in North Shore

This paper case studies a new approach to designing and implementing an urban stream restoration and enhancement project that is currently underway in North Shore City.

Stage 1 of the Lucas Creek stream restoration project is an innovative project that covers 1km of natural stream running through council reserve in the centre of Albany. The project is required to provide multiple benefits to the community such as: enhanced riparian ecology, water quality and increased amenity. It involves stream bank erosion mitigation, planting of 30,000 native riparian plants, building a walking track and viewing platforms.

This project was identified as a result of developing the Storm Water Catchment Management Plan. Numerous concept designs and hard engineering solutions were proposed however none of these were considered appropriate.

The new approach is based on a "design as we go" concept. The exact solution used at a particular location is decided as the project progresses and the banks and erosion are exposed. We are using new soft engineering solutions throughout the project, many of which have not been used in NZ before.

This is an integrated project between North Shore City Council (Water Services, Parks,) and the Auckland Regional Council. We are also using a specialist from the USA who has been successfully using these methods for the last 10 years to assist us in this project.