The companies involved with the design and construction of Batemans Bay’s new aquatic and arts centre stopped work to give back to the local environment on Tuesday.

Representatives from ADCO Constructions, Sydney-based NBRS Architecture who designed the centre, NSW Public Works, Attcall Civil contracting, ABS Facades and Eurobodalla Council spent the day removing debris and rubbish from the wetlands adjacent to the site, planting native trees, grasses and shrubs, and building insect hotels to donate to local schools.

They collectively removed about five cubic metres of debris from the wetlands, planted about 300 native plants, and built four insect hotels.

Council’s natural resource supervisor Heidi Thomson was blown away by the team’s efforts, and said Council will continue restoration work in the area.

“Many people don’t realise there are wetlands surrounding Mackay Park, just west of the Princes Highway,” she said.

“They support significant mangrove and saltmarsh communities and are perfect habitat for fish, birds and crabs. They also trap a lot of litter from the highway and town before it enters the Clyde River.

“ADCO has been fantastic in helping us restore this area, and we’re very appreciative of the effort everyone put in on Tuesday, especially those who travelled from afar just to help out.”

ADCO senior project manager Nick Lyons said the work was part of ADCOmmunity Day – an annual event in which the company’s NSW staff participate in community-based projects.

“Rather than have a function or spend a day in the office doing paperwork, ADCO gives us the opportunity to get out there and lend a hand,” he said.

“Our team wanted to do a project that helped the local environment and the Batemans Bay community.”

Meanwhile, construction of the new centre is on schedule. Excavation for the 25-metre pool and balance tanks is complete, while the concrete piling is more than 50 per cent complete. Next up will be pouring the concrete bases for the pool and balance tanks.

• Read more about the aquatic and arts centre project