Marlborough District councillors have agreed to take on responsibility for the Blind Creek riparian area project, with co-ordinator Margaret Peace retiring.

Mrs Peace and her community group have spent seven years returning native vegetation to the banks of Blind Creek near Tuamarina. Mrs Peace, who founded the group, was 89 years old and has said it was time to bow out after achieving the goal of planting along 600 metres of Blind Creek.

The council's assets and services committee yesterday agreed to take over the ongoing maintenance of the plantings as it does with other ecological plantings along river banks.

Councillor Peter Jerram said it was no exaggeration to say Mrs Peace was a visionary who had in that region pioneered the use of planting native species.

"To be quite honest, she is an inspirational person. She has raised a huge amount of support over the years.

"She's getting on and running out of steam, but she wants to see this carry on.

"I totally support it."

Councillor Francis Maher said the Blind Creek planting was a "fantastic" project.

All councillors supported the proposal to take over the project, and thanked Mrs Peace and the Tuamarina Landcare Group for the great efforts put in to establish indigenous plantings in Blind Creek.

- The Marlborough Express

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