27 March 2007

Soldiers from the 2nd Engineer Regiment and the School of Military Engineering recently finished constructing an environmentally sustainable visitor facility at Mistletoe Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds.

The Mistletoe Bay Trust, which manages the area, asked the NZ Army to assist with the construction of a sustainable eco-lodge that will educate educational, political and corporate groups about the natural wonder of the area, and learning to live without waste in a coastal eco-system.

Many local businesses have donated money, equipment and building materials to the project, with the NZ Army providing construction expertise.

The construction civil aid task involved the construction of four accommodation huts (whare), a communal kitchen facility and an ablution block. Designed for energy efficiency, the whare use the latest in recycling and solar power, and incorporate a plumbing system that enables waste water to be treated on site.

Fifteen carpenters, plumbers and electricians from 25 Engineer Support Squadron (25 ESS) and SME deployed to Mistletoe Bay for six weeks in October and November 2006, followed by a final three-week push to complete the project in February.

Corporal Mark Paul led the team in 2006, with Corporal Mikey Wilson taking over to lead the team that completed the task. The sappers had to work long hours to ensure completion of the task, and were fuelled with some great meals provided by the resident chef (thanks to 2 Logistics Battalion).

The project provided excellent trade training for apprentices and qualified tradesmen, with the apprentices completing many competencies required to qualify in their trades. It also provided a good opportunity to develop junior leadership within 25 ESS.

Mistletoe Bay is located about an hour’s drive northwest from Picton. The isolated location created many additional challenges for the Task IC, CPL Wilson, including the deployment of personnel to the site, the delivery of construction materials and delays caused by bad weather.

“Because we’re so close to the sea, we have to make sure all the metal is stainless steel so it won’t corrode, and that has proven a little difficult to get”, said OIC Sergeant Kelly Allan. “I think the suppliers were caught out a bit by how big the project was, but it’s all working out all right now.”

Needless to say, the sappers enjoyed the recreational opportunities offered in the Sounds – boat tours, hunting and fishing ventures, and plenty of swimming – to relax during their well-deserved downtime.

NZ Army Engineers’ involvement on the Mistletoe Bay project has put it nearly two years ahead of the original timeline, which will enable school groups to start using the facilities much sooner than expected.

Site manager Chris Knowles says the Army’s assistance had been extremely valuable. “The soldiers have come into their own with their own technical expertise, and brought everything they need with them. Even before [they returned for the second time], we estimated the value of the labour they have put into the project at around half a million dollars. For a community-based project, that’s just wonderful.”

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