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A pressure group wants the Auckland Council to stop several subdivisions because they kill a valuable marine reserve.
More than 100 community members presented a report this morning criticizing the work along the Long Bay Okura. Marine Reserve, North Auckland
The Great Lakes Okura Park Park calls the marine reserve the crown jewel of the Gulf of Hauraki in Auckland, but states that it knows "death by thousand cuts ".
– Large earthworks at Long Bay and Weiti cause tons of soils and other sediments to be dumped into the fragile ecosystem.
Fiona McLaughlin spokeswoman said the wetlands were clogged with a thick layer of sediment. to the massive death of hulls earlier this year.
She told the environment and community committee that the council's own information showed that up to 92 percent develop Over the past two years, tons of soil and water have been lost. other sediments from nearby developments have spilled into the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve “/>
tons of soil and other sediments. from nearby developments flow into the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve.
Photo: Provided / Geoff Reid
"The data and reports we have collected show that extremely high levels of sedimentation and heavy metals are entering the marine reserve and causing serious damage to ships. Ms. McLaughlin said:
They had to be completely shut down until better systems were put in place, she said.
"The question is now of such gravity
Ecology specialist Shaw Mead told council that sediment retention and stormwater management systems were not working when there was more than 15 millimeters
"Normal treatments for Stormwater and sediment are not adequate to protect the Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve, "said Mr. Mead.
"We need higher standards [because] at more of a d more stress and more and more impacts like the death of hulls we've seen."
The Long Bay Okura Marine Reserve faces pollution from nearby developments, according to pressure groups for their closure.
Photo: Provided / Geoff Reid
M. Mead, who reviewed the sediments pumped into the reserve, said that there were several ways to make retention better – and that it could even be substantiated. Councilor Penny Hulse, who chairs the committee from the environment and community, said that the improvement of the reserve could pave the way for better management of runoff in the Auckland region
. She feels almost a bit like the canary in the coal mine, "she said.
The council said that he would continue to talk with the group and that he would re-examine the issue in August or September.
