Public comment is sought on a regional council plan to recreate 80 hectares of wetlands near the Kaituna river mouth.

The swamp restoration is planned near the Lower Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve, near where the Tauranga Eastern Link toll road crosses the Kaituna River between Te Puke, Pāpāmoa and Maketu.

Turning back the swamp clock.

There's a community meeting next Wednesday, May 11, from 7pm-8.30pm at the Te Puke Lyceum Club, 8 Palmer Street, Te Puke.

'We're in the early planning stages of the project and we're keen to hear what locals would like to see incorporated into the plan. Anyone who's interested is welcome to come along to the meeting to discuss the project with us,” says Bay of Plenty Regional Council project manager Courtney Bell.

'This project has been initiated as part of our work to implement the Kaituna River and Ongatoro/Maketu Estuary Strategy which was developed by local councils, iwi and the community in 2009.”

The strategy set goals of caring for the Lower Kaituna Wildlife Management Reserve and creating at least 100 hectares of new wetland in the Kaituna catchment by 2018.

Wetlands help to manage flood water and keep streams and rivers clean by filtering run-off, says Courtney. They also provide habitat for many threatened native plants and animals.

Nearly all the former swamp, about 98 percent of freshwater wetlands in the Kaituna catchment, has been drained since the 1800s, says Courtney.

'By adding to the largest wetland remnant in the area we'll be able to bring back wildlife and provide better opportunities for people to enjoy nature walks, bird-watching, game-bird hunting, white-baiting or cultural practices like flax harvest and eeling,” says Courtney.

The Regional Council is working in partnership with iwi, Department of Conservation, Fish and Game New Zealand and other partners to manage the project which will include retiring paddocks from grazing, returning water flow and planting native wetland plants.

Anyone interested but unable to attend the meeting is welcome to call her on 0800 884 881 ext 8520 to discuss the project.