BU BUSHWA YS YS
BUSHWAYS So what is a Bushway Introduction A Bushway is a corridor of protected open space that is managed for conservation and/or recreational purposes. Bushways are similar to the overseas ‘Greenway’ concept, with the emphasis being upon the ecological aspects, and using New Zealand indigenous flora. The common characteristics of Bushways are that they follow natural land and water features, like ridges or rivers, or human landscape features e.g. abandoned rail corridors or old walking tracks. They link natural reserves, parks, cultural, and historical sites with each other and, in some cases, with populated areas. Bushways not only protect our biodiversity and environmentally sensitive landscapes, but also can provide people with access to outdoor recreation and enjoyment close to their home. The word Bushway evokes images … . of Bushways • Act as natural buffers that maintain connections to allow interchange between native winding walkways, slow moving rivers, plant and animal communities tranquil open spaces. For urban • Allow trampers, equestrians and off-road mountain bikers to use them dwellers, Bushways are a quiet oasis, • Walkers, cyclists, skaters and families can use Urban Bushways, which have paved helping to moderate the rush and noise walkways or other improved surfaces. They can be enhanced with amenities such as of vehicles and people. In the suburbs, bench seats, picnic areas or playgrounds Bushways promise undisturbed • They connect parks, recreation areas, neighbourhoods and other natural or established pathways for walking, cycling, facilities. canoeing, or horseback riding. Rural Bushways can incorporate walkways or trails, which can be linked to the national and wilderness Bushways conserve walkway or simply lead to the local neighbourhood shops. A Bushway is an excellent indigenous ecosystems, offer migration means of improving the natural beauty of a neighbourhood, it can add value to adjoining routes for wildlife, protect properties, increase biodiversity, help to improve water quality, reduce risk of flooding, archaeological sites, and maintain provide trails for alternative transportation, bring revenue into a community and provide places where people can experience the close-to-home recreation, while generally improving the overall quality of life. beauty and complexity of nature. Bushways provide communities a way Bushways in New Zealand to define and preserve some of New Zealand’s Biolandscape believes that the time is right to “make the connections” between the most precious natural, hundreds of parks and open spaces in New Zealand. We can build on our existing parks cultural and historic resources. and open spaces, walkways, cycleways, ecologically significant habitat areas, and historic and cultural treasures, to create connecting green infrastructure networks. There are three basic Bushway types with variable combinations • Ecological • Recreational • Cultural and Historical Green Infrastructure - Bushways Linking Nature and People
Biolandscape’s Bushway Kaupapa Bushways maintain environmental quality, provide economic benefits such as tourism, increase aesthetic values, liveability and improve the quality of life for people to enjoy. • Advocate for the creation of an integrated green infrastructure network of Bushways at Bushways can be publicly owned, privately owned or a combination of both. Successful the national, regional and local level. Bushways must be the result of strong partnerships between the community, local • Make available the gathering of information, materials and techniques on Bushways for councils, government agencies and individuals. use by the community. • Advise and consult with government agencies, private land owners, community and Urban and Rural Bushways corporations in the effort to plan, design and implement specific urban and rural Bushway projects. • Provide educational materials, to catalyse community involvement. In cities and suburban areas: Bushways encompass natural or man-made features and can be managed primarily for Biolandscape’s long term vision is for bush-lined walkways, protected waterways, wildlife resource conservation or recreation in conjunction with existing and proposed recreational walkway systems. corridors linking habitat refuges, communities criss-crossed by bike and walking trails. Bushways connecting communities to the outdoors and to each other, forging partnerships for a sustainable future in New Zealand. This network of Bushways could link natural areas, historic sites, parks and open space providing benefits for conservation, recreation and economic development while enhancing the quality of life for people of all ages, abilities and economic means. Bushways can complement and enhance the efforts of other public and private organisations throughout New Zealand. Successful Bushways will be the result of strong partnerships between private organisations, councils, government agencies and In rural areas: communities. Bushways of planned natural corridors linking large natural areas e.g. national parks, reserves, wildlife refuges etc. Rural Bushways protect native habitats and wildlife migration Bushway Benefits routes, and can be an impetus to restore environmentally significant landscapes. Bushways can make the natural connection by providing a green infrastructure network linking our nation’s special places and providing a whole that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. Bushways provide numerous ecological, economic, and quality of life benefits to the communities that embrace them. Bushways not only protect and restore environmentally important land and indigenous plants and animals, they also link people with the natural world and outdoor recreational opportunities providing; • Protection of the biological diversity of plant and animal species by maintaining the The Bushways Vision connections between natural communities. • The enrichment of urban and suburban landscapes with ribbons of green that improve Biolandscape Ltd is committed to the establishment of a green infrastructure network of the quality of life and enhance property values helping to maintain ecological integrity in linked areas and open spaces, promoting the Bushways concept at national, regional and human dominated landscapes. • Protection of the quantity and quality of water, a natural resource vital to people, plants, local levels. Biolandscape Ltd provides professional and technical assistance to clients, private landowners, community organisations, and governmental agencies. and wildlife. Green Infrastructure - Bushways Linking Nature and People
• Direction of development and growth away from important natural resource areas. BUSHWAY PORTFOLIO - URBAN PROJECT 1 • Alternative transportation routes that connect people, communities, and the countryside. Rotary Bushway Auckland • An outdoor classroom. Cities can use Bushways to reduce public costs for storm-water management, transportation, and other forms of built infrastructure (Ecosystem Services). Perhaps the greatest value of an interconnected green open space system is the financial benefit that may be gained when green infrastructure and the biological processes they host, reduces the need for built infrastructure. When designed to include stream networks, wetlands, and other low-lying areas, a city's Bushway system can for example provide numerous storm-water management benefits, including storing, carrying, and filtering storm water runoff. Ecology of Bushways Naturally vegetated Bushways help to maintain key ecological processes in contemporary landscapes. Their design needs to be based on a detailed understanding of specific ecological phenomena e.g. riparian buffers should reflect a clear understanding of site specific conditions such as vegetation, soils, slope, and adjacent land use. With the rising concern over environmental degradation, preventing or reversing this degradation is the key focus of Bushway projects. However often in urban Bushways restricted to a very narrow width, creating a more aesthetically appealing space may be Overall Plan more of a priority. None-the-less the ecological function still needs to be considered and applied if at all possible. Ecologically Bushways can help to protect natural areas and reduce the isolating, disruptive influences of habitat fragmentation on wildlife and water resources. Their effectiveness will vary according to their width, shape, location, context and other factors. Human activity generates contaminants such as eroded soil, increased nutrient levels, and Detail Planting Plan 1 – Sect: A Detail Planting Plan 2 – Sect: B Detail Planting Plan 3 – Sect: C toxic chemicals, which reduce water quality in wetlands, streams and aquifers. Roads and other impermeable surfaces divert the drainage of rainwater that would other wise soak into the earth. Controlled surface drainage is directly discharged into waterways radically altering the hydrology of streams and rivers. Aquatic habitats and their biota become degraded by these contaminants. Local and regional biodiversity contributes to amenities like recreation, scenic beauty, and education, helping to maintain the stability of ecosystem services such as cleaning the air and water. Bushways not only protect habitat but also have the potential to link other natural areas together and to straddle and give protection to streams and rivers. Therefore Typical Estuarine Ecological Vegetation Sequences Bushways have the capacity to alleviate the affect of habitat loss and fragmentation. ( Gilbert Brakey / Frame Group Ltd. / Auckland Council) Green Infrastructure - Bushways Linking Nature and People
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