Beautification Achievements to Date.

Initially the group took the initiative to  develop the area opposite the Careys Bay  Hotel, locally known as the green:

The area was composed of clay and rock so  topsoil was created by the addition of  copious amounts of bark compost. Planting  then took place using only endemic species  and where possible those representing the  local flora. Initially, these plants were either  grown by members or donated by residents.
 
 

The next stage involved the creation of  gravel paths and further planting. At this stage the feedback from locals and visitors was so positive that the decision was made to continue with further improvements.
The Third Stage of the improvements included :
  • Repairs to the rock sea wall in several places where it had eroded.
  • Building a set of steps down over the rock wall to the centre of the bay to allow easy access to the water.
  • Construction and erection of a sign  ‘The Green'  - carved by a local  shipwright.
  • Replacement of seating at ‘The  Green' which was in a state of  disrepair.
  • Construction of a petanque course in  the area adjacent to the Hotel  building, complete with seating and  further planting.
  • Planting shrubs at the fishermen's Co-op and Bullock Track.
(Finance for all of the above was raised within the local community)
The fourth stage of the work involved the extension of and realignment of the rock embankment from the east end of the bay to the boat launching ramp, in order to tidy the area and make it safer for pedestran users. The creation of further seating and planting areas at the top of this embankment, and on the eastern side of the vehicular access to  the boat launching ramp opposite. 
(Port Otago Ltd.are also in the process of landscaping the borders  of the nearby Boiler Point Reclamation and both the work outlined  above and the work currently in progress by Port Otago Ltd. Are  following a similar theme of Native planting, gravel paths and  timber seating, which is helping to enhance the atmosphere in the  bay).
The fifth stage of the work (ongoing), was the establishment of a  scented Rhododendron and Camelia garden in the old disused  quarry overlooking Port Otago, Latterly known as ‘Lady Thorn  Dell'. This task has involved considerable work by some  enthusiastic residents who over a period of time have changed  the composition and Ph factor of the existing planting medium a  considerable degree to the point where rhododendrons will not  only survive but will flourish. There is no water in the area so all  early watering routines were done by hand - bucketed from the Cemetry some 400 metres away. Well over 100 Rhododendron and Camelia plants have either been donated or bought and planted in this area
The sixth stage of the work resanding of the Bay was quite involved - the existing sand in the bay had been badly contaminated by desel, oil and litter from passing ships and fishing vessels over the last 150 years, the solution that we came to, to fix this was to replace the sand in the bay - this entailed a marine biology study, (ongoing), to ensure that none of the existing marine life in the bay suffered. - It also required a study/reports to monitor the movement of the new sand placed in the bay, (also ongoing), the sand was clean sand dredged from the harbour and transported to the Bay and placed/spread there (450mm deep at the harbour wall feathering to nothing just below low tide mark).
The seventh stage of the work involved providing seating around the bay and constructing a large placename near the southern entrance to the bay designed to reflect the Maritime history of the bay.
Stage eight (current project) designing and constructing (again with a Maritime theme), a series of covered information and notice boards discussing the history and historic significance of a number of features and hulks within the bay.
Future projects include:

Rocky point (north end of bay)

  • Construction of low timber barrier.
  • Gravel parking area.
  • Construction of steps to the rocks.
  • Erection of a timber place name.
  • Planting of native flora.
  • Information board showing:- Name and position of hulks, Topographical features, Low tide walk to scrubbing grid.
  • Provide seating 
Rocky Point to ‘Scrubbing Grid'.
  • Hand placed rock sea wall to road boundary.
  • Steps to beach to complete low tide walk to Rocky Point.
  • Sign showing location of steps and lowtide walk.
  • Planting of native flora.
  • Provide seating
Floating Dock and Isbisters Slip
  • Tidy stream exit.
  • Construction of low timber barrier.
  • Gravel parking area.
  • Construction of steps to the rocks.
  • Erection of an information board which would include the history of the Floating Dock and Isbisters Slip.

    • Planting of native flora.

Acknowledgements

We are a dedicated, and active group of proponents of Careys Bay who believe that the continued beautification and development of Careys Bay will not only enhance the environment for its residents, but will provide valuable leisure facilities to the many passive and recreational visitors to the bay.

This is a community initiated project which is designed to enhance the lifestyles of those who live work and use the bay for leisure or recreational purposes.

Our project has the support of the local residents, local industry, business, and interest groups as well as the Dunedin City Council.

Although the bay is highly regarded and regularly frequented by the population of the greater Dunedin area there is a need to enhance/expand the walkways, boating, fishing and leisure facilities in the area.

Willing Help

These projects would not have been possible were it not for the fact that a large number volunteers gave willingly of their labour and organization skills, and contractors involved priced work exceptionally competitively.

Major Sonsors to Date:
  • Dunedin City Council (DCC)
  • Lottery Grants Board
  • Trustbank Otago Community Trust.
  • Port Otago Ltd.

check out the latest saga on noise and visual pollution
 
Careys Bay Association Inc.