Residents Raise Alarm Over Plastic Plant Guards in Ashburton Waterways

Concerns are mounting among residents in Ashburton regarding the use of plastic plant guards along the banks of Mill Creek in Argyle Park. Locals, including dog walkers and environmental advocates, have voiced apprehensions that these guards are contaminating the waterways, posing a significant environmental hazard.

Jo Greig, a frequent visitor to Argyle Park, has been at the forefront of raising these issues. Alongside fellow park user and Litter Free Ashburton member, Helen Anderson, Greig has contacted the Ashburton District Council multiple times to express their worries. They argue that the plastic guards, designed to protect newly planted vegetation, are instead leading to pollution in the creek.

According to Toni Durham, group manager of community and open spaces at the council, approximately 3,000 plastic guards were installed by an external contractor. These guards were recycled from a previous project and are intended to remain in place for two to three years while the native plants establish themselves. The triangular design of the guards protects the plants from wind, pests, and herbicide sprays.

Despite these intentions, Greig has observed that many of the guards have deteriorated. She noted, “Over time, many have collapsed, broken, and simply fallen into Mill Stream, floating away as far as they can.” She has sent multiple “snap, send, solve” requests to the council, with the first in October and another in November, highlighting the issue. These communications have led to some council responses, but Greig remains frustrated with the slow progress in addressing the debris in the creek.

In one interaction, Greig stated that a council representative informed her that while the plastic was a cost-effective solution, it would be their responsibility to manage the cleanup. “I had a call from ADC Parks after a snap. The man told me the plastic was cheaper, would be in place for two years until the plants established, or people could take and use in their gardens,” she said. Greig also mentioned that despite promises to address the situation, no follow-up action had occurred in the two weeks since her last communication.

Durham confirmed to The Ashburton Courier that the council had received two public messages regarding the plastic guards and had acted swiftly. Anderson recalled a specific instance where her phone call about guards obstructing the waterway prompted immediate action from the council to clear the blockage.

The residents worry that the presence of these guards will hinder maintenance efforts, particularly weed extraction, as the plants grow. Anderson warned that as the plants mature, they would push the guards upward, resulting in more debris entering the creek. “The guards are an environmental hazard,” she asserted.

In response to rising concerns, Durham acknowledged that recent severe weather events had impacted the condition of the plant guards. She explained, “No sleeves had made their way into the creek until during and after the last wind storm event, which destabilised and broke some of the stakes used to secure the guards.” The council is currently collaborating with its contractor to rectify the situation.

Durham also reassured the public that the council conducts weekly checks and clearances of the creek. She added that spraying approved chemicals helps maintain the stream’s edge. Despite these efforts, local residents remain vigilant, advocating for more sustainable and less harmful solutions to protect their waterways.