A change of guard.

Established in 2014 by Lewis Verduyn-Cassells, the Red Bridge River Park Trust was created in response to a growing concern that New Zealand’s waters (particularly freshwater) are at risk and need a voice. The objective of the Trust is to protect and enhance the mauri of our waters beginning with the Clutha/Mataau River. Water monitoring, water care and rejuvenation of native plants along the river (in particular at the Luggate area) are fundamental activities of the Trust.

The Trust manages a one acre property and a small “River Keeper’s” cottage sitting at the side of the Clutha River near the Luggate Red Bridge. Lewis, as chairman of the Trust, silently chipped away at the Trust’s objective. Maintaining a small nursery, the cottage, gardens & grounds and occasionally clearing the river of debris.

Lewis had negotiated for the Trust an agreement to purchase the property from Contact Energy. Thanks to a donation of $149,000 from the Verduyn-Cassells family, and to the generosity of Contact Energy, the balance required to settle the sale and purchase agreement is only $151,000 – newly negotiated as due by either 2nd of June 2020 or ten working days after that date if we are not at level two.

In February 2019 Lewis became unwell. Sadly, he passed away mid August 2019. As part of Lewis’ Estate discovery, the remaining Trustee; Jeromy Van Riel, took on the task of upholding the original vision and establishing the current status of the Trust.

Jeromy has been hard at work reviving the Trust, re-claiming it’s identity, transparency and opening it for new Trustees. Jeromy asked two further people to take on the roles of Trustee. Subsequently; Anthony Olsen and Timothy Ryan agreed to be Trustees. Fyfe Karamaena Law helped assist the Trust in dealing with legalities of re-establishing the Trust as a working entity. They are now the nominated Lawyers for the Trust.

To date the Trust has:

Updated its status with the Charitable Trust Registrar

Filed the Trust’s returns for 2018 & 2019

Maintained open & transparent communication with Contact Energy

The Trust intends to uphold the vision Lewis created, to ensure future generations have pristine water ways and a place to enjoy being a part of their natural environment in perpetuity. The Trust is committed to serving our communities and the interests of all life that shares our waterways.

It now invites community input as we remember the unfortunate passing of our founding Trustee; Lewis Verduyn-Cassells. It seeks how to best define and provide for “the protection of human interaction as part of our natural environment” with its injection into the guiding principles of the Red Bridge River Park Trust Charter.

We need your help.

The Red Bridge Riverpark Trust is seeking immediate financial assistance to pay the outstanding balance of $151,000 to Contact Energy by June 2020.

If you can help in any way, please contact: redbridgeriverpark@gmail.com