Milestone in Harbour Protection

Steps being taken to protect Porirua Harbour are stronger than ever, the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchment Joint Committee Annual Report on the Harbour Strategy shows.

The joint committee – made up of Porirua and Wellington City Councils, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Ngati Toa – met last week to consider the report.

Highlights include adoption of a sediment reduction plan, a new full time land management officer, improved litter management and continuing sewer upgrades.

The committee also considered and endorsed a work plan for implementing the Harbour Strategy for the coming year.

Committee Chair, Councillor Bronwyn Kropp, said there has never before been such comprehensive reporting or shared information regarding the harbour and catchment.

"Together the annual report and work plan mark an important milestone in the Harbour Strategy. They signify an achievement in two local councils, regional council and iwi working together to achieve a common goal for our shared community,” she said.

"Our harbour and catchment present many challenges but it is a time to pause and recognise what has been achieved in terms of information gathering and forward planning to preserve this beautiful natural asset."

More than 6km of sewer upgrades have taken place in Titahi Bay, Papakowhai, Waitangirua and Ranui over the past year, and improvements to stormwater have occurred in Maraeroa, Aotea and Whitby. This work will help improve water quality in streams and the harbour by reducing leaks and infiltration of the stormwater and sewer network.

The new sediment reduction plan outlines existing and future work to reduce soil erosion and better control urban earthworks, focusing particularly on steep erosion-prone rural land.

A new GWRC Land Management Officer position for the harbour catchment will oversee implementation of the plan in rural areas, GWRC Deputy Chair Councillor Barbara Donaldson said.

“It’s been a good year for the harbour with continuing improvement in cockle numbers, low sedimentation rates, less litter in the harbour and a positive annual scorecard from the Porirua Harbour Trust on Harbour Strategy implementation,” Cr Donaldson said.

Cr Kropp said the community also had a role to play.

"The protection of our harbour isn't just for local government, we can all do our part to help improve local water quality. Whether that's helping keep our local stream clean, not putting waste down the drain or helping out with community plantings it's really easy to be involved."

There are often opportunities for community involvement, such as at the Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet Annual Pauatahanui Inlet Clean-up, starting at Browns Bay carpark at 10.30am on Sunday 6 December.

Both the Annual Report and the Work Plan are available to be viewed online at www.pcc.govt.nz keyword: Harbour Strategy.

Facts:
• 2.1km sewer mains upgrade in Titahi Bay
• 4km sewer mains upgrade in Ranui, Papakowhai & Waitangirua
• 18km sewer and cross-connection inspection to assist prioritisation of future renewals
• 2 new pumps at Pauatahanui and Mana pumpstations
• 3 electrical upgrades at Pauatahanui, Pukerua Bay and Whitby
• 562 properties inspected in North Titahi Bay for cross-connections – 64 faulty and subsequently repaired
• Master Plan for future renewals is being prepared to guide work priorities

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