Eels join whitebait to make splash in Woolston Village

Eels and whitebait will be wriggling across Woolston Village, etched into new pavers to illustrate the cultural significance of the area.

The sandblasted pavers are integral to a multimillion-dollar upgrade for the community village.

The tuna (eel) and īnaka (whitebait) pavers will sit at intersections where the side street run towards the Heathcote River.

Council Planning and Delivery Transport Manager Lynette Ellis says the “decorative elements reinforce the close connection between Ferry Road and the river, reminding people of its presence”.

Tuna and īnaka live in the Heathcote River, which is also home to īnaka spawning sites.

“We have worked with Matapopore to develop the concept for the pavers and commissioned Ngāi Tahu artist Morgan Mathews-Hale to develop the design,” Ms Ellis says.

“The pavers have been formed from locally sourced Timaru bluestone, and have been etched by local business Art Fetiche.”

Several bluestone pavers will also represent Woolston’s heritage, acknowledging those buildings lost during the 2010-2011 earthquakes.

“These pavers will be installed at the site of the original buildings, and include the Woolston Post Office, the “Nugget” boot polish factory and the Woolston Coronation Library.”

Under the Christchurch City Council’s Ferry Road Suburban Master Plan, the new streetscape aims to revitalise the village while retaining the industrial character of the 150-year-old area.

The project – led by contractor Citycare – runs along Ferry Road from Portman Street to St Anne’s School. It includes decorative pavers, mini plazas, wider paths and cycle lanes, and more trees and plants.

Contractors have also relined the underground wastewater pipes along the main road, using the less disruptive spiral lining method, rather than having to dig a big trench to replace the pipes. All the wastewater work is now complete.

Work at the site will shut down for four weeks from early December until early January.