Wairau Estuary
Our new Local Board members must demonstrate they have a comprehensive knowledge and greater awareness of significant local environmental issues.
The Wairau Estuary is a Significant Ecological Area where the planned planting of the banks will help erosion and sediment control, but the urgent need to reduce heavy metal contaminants has not been tackled.
In comparison the Morningside St Luke’s Industrial Pollution Prevention Programme initiated by the Albert-Eden Local Board, created opportunities for its businesses to help protect and improve the quality of the Meola Creek. They received advise from experts on handling bulk liquids, storage risks, spill plans and storage.
The Manukau Harbour Forum (MHF) funded a programme called Flagship Sites with the overall aim of promoting best practice site management for businesses to protect the Manukau Harbour. Whereas locally the Milford Marina currently undertakes dredging and is effectively paying for the costs of dealing with sedimentation generated upstream
The new Devonport-Takapuna Local Board must seek financial assistance from the Waterways Protection Fund (focused on targeted catchments,) the Regional Environment and Heritage Fund (which can be used for regionally significant waterbodies) and secure a just-share of the Water Quality Improvement Targeted Rate. The Wairau Estuary pollution problems cannot be left on the to-do list of projects, action is required.
