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Community efforts to preserve and promote the old cement works at Wilson Road in Warkworth are moving forward, with the formation of a charitable trust due to be finalised soon.
Cement Works Warkworth founder Tina Earl says this will make a big difference to the project, as it will enable the group to make funding applications.
“Once we’re a trust, we will start applying for various funding grants, such as heritage grants, and can approach people for help,” she says. “We’ve got all the paperwork and are hoping we’ll be registered within a couple of months at the outside.”
Tina and fellow Wilson Road resident John Tate began their efforts to save the cement works in 2019 with a plea for help to the Rodney Local Board and wider community. There has since been significant clearance of gorse and weeds at the site. A large mailing list has been collated and a core of around 10 people meet regularly to progress the project.
“We want to promote the conservation and stabilisation of the works,” Tina says. “We’re going to get a website up and running, but we really need more people to come on board and put in some time to help with this kind of thing.”
The group is planning to build and install an information kiosk at the cement works to show visitors the history of the site and it wants to landscape the river side of the works and make a park area.
“We want to work with Council more to facilitate this. The site area needs to be defined, rubbish, rubble and graffiti needs removing, and a gorse and weed control maintenance plan is needed.”
Cement Works Warkworth is also keen to connect with other community groups such as Warkworth Museum, the Jane Gifford Society and the Mahurangi River Restoration Trust.
The group’s next meeting will be on Sunday, April 11 at 3pm at the cement works (if wet, at 133 Wilson Road) – all welcome.
Info: Email Tina Earl on nztinaearl@gmail.com
