METRONEWS
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Heathcote River banks to be stabilised further

Brooke Hunter
Antoinette Spicer
Heathcote River
The Heathcote River is one of the most polluted urban rivers in Christchurch.  Brooke Hunter

A second stage of riverbank restoration will take place along one of the city's most polluted rivers.

The Linwood-Central-Heathcote Community Board has approved the second stage of bank stabilisation along the Heathcote River

Almost 100 new trees and plants will be planted along the river to improve the stability of the banks and reduce flooding

The stabilisation is part of the Christchurch City Council's Land Drainage Recovery Programme, which aims to reduce flooding risks and repair earthquake damage to the rivers. 

Spokesperson from the Opawaho Heathcote River Network, Annabelle Hasselman, said more needed to be done to improve the Heathcote River.

"Its a lot of change in the short term for a long term game."

Hasselman said that the River Network was hoping for greater establishment of native vegetation.

She said it was important to see the establishment of native large trees along the riverbank as well. 

The Heathcote is one of the most polluted rivers in the city, according to a city council report