The council has recently awarded a five-year contract to ensure we can obtain enough native plants of the right variety, size and quality to implement an increasing number of stream restoration and stormwater projects.

Our stormwater programme manager, Barry Carter, says using plants to stabilise stream banks, manage eroded and weedy areas, and improve stream habitat will become more common in the future.

“Planting contributes significantly to our stormwater control measures and improves the stream environment, so we want to ensure that we have continuity of supply,” he says.

“By arranging plant supply for the whole stormwater programme on a long term basis the contract also provides significant cost savings,” he says.

The contract includes the opportunity to source up to 25 per cent of the plants from local seed.

These plants will be better adapted to local conditions, will have greater chance of survival and will preserve their genetic distinctiveness.

A second contract has been awarded for the actual planting and three-year maintenance of the plants.

“This will ensure we get good quality planting and a long term commitment as the planted areas develop,” says Mr Carter.