■ Backup plan to keep Rose Garden alive
Waipa¯ District Council’s parks and reserves team is going the extra mile to maintain Te Awamutu’s prized Rose Garden as water restrictions ban sprinklers and other outdoor use from the town treated water supply.
A relief supply of untreated water is being supplied from a local bore to ensure the town’s roses stay alive throughout the sprinkler ban required at Water Alert Level 4.
Te Awamutu and other areas went to water alert level 4 this week as hot weather continued with no significant rain.
Te Awamutu’s 50-year-old Rose Garden on Gorst Avenue contains 1,500 roses, made up of 51 varieties, in flower from November to May. The garden includes rare and irreplaceable varieties of heritage roses.
Waipā District Council community services manager, Sally Sheedy, said the Rose Garden was an important asset to Te Awamutu.
“We acknowledge the significance of roses to the town, however, at this time we need to recognise our community’s treated water is incredibly precious,” she said.
“The amount of water used on the roses will significantly drop, as will the condition of the roses, but we are doing our best to ensure they survive while the restrictions are in place with these measures.”
Roses will be watered using water tanks filled from a local bore, used at times of drought conditions in previous years. The roses will not be watered by town supply until restrictions are lowered.
Council has stopped watering 10 annual flower beds around Te Awamutu, including Memorial Park, the i-Site and Anzac Green. In the absence of watering and insufficient rainfall, the plants will be removed as they reach the end of their natural life and will be replanted in winter.
“Until conditions improve and the restrictions are lifted, we won’t be watering the rest of our local gardens. It’s unfortunate but we are serious about complying with the water saving message.”
Restrictions apply to all residential, commercial and nonresidential properties, including reserves and sport facilities in Te Awamutu, Pirongia, Ohaupo and Kaipaki.
“We have also significantly reduced our watering schedule for the roses from approximately 18,500 litres of water every two days to 3500 litres of bore water every three days in order to help them survive,” Sheedy said.
Rose beds at Memorial Park and on the corner of Roche and Vaile streets will also face reduced watering.
The water fountain at the Rose Garden and the water play feature at Pioneer Park Playground are switched off until restrictions are lifted.
Tips on how to save water at home are at www.smartwater.org.nz