our place
Innovative thinking required says TPG
“Rethink your plans completely. Start environment. It is well past time to start thinking outside the box.” That from protecting our precious native forests and the Titirangi Protection Group (TPG) to kauri in particular,” Belynda says. Watercare following the granting of resource “Environmental concerns aside, the site consent for earthworks and vegetation is widely acknowledged by industry insiders removal for the proposed replacement Huia to be unsuitable in terms of the constrained Water Treatment Plant. size, topography, and geotechnical issues. While construction won’t start until 2026, “Watercare has not taken the issue of Watercare says clearing the forest and kauri dieback seriously even after they earthworks could start before then, says were directed to by the commissioners. TPG’s Belynda Groot. Our experts were clear that Watercare’s “TPG has fought for four years to raise Mature bush on Manuka Road, Titirangi, near the site management plan would not prevent the awareness of the major ecological damage of the proposed water treatment plant. spread of the pathogen and could lead to from the proposed development. We’re shocked by the decision which catastrophic consequences for kauri. puts the environment, and kauri in particular, last. “Innovative and environmentally sound alternatives are available. “The consent puts a vast number of healthy kauri at unacceptable Watercare can do a whole lot better,” she says. risk, including two of the oldest kauri in Auckland – Bishop’s Kauri and Mark Bourne says Watercare will soon start working on the detailed Clark’s Kauri. Watercare has conceded that they may be unable to stop design and construction methodology for the plant. the pathogen spreading off-site,” she says. “We’ll be sharing these plans with the community liaison group But Watercare head of servicing and consents Mark Bourne says the and mana whenua. We’re taking every step possible to minimise the decision acknowledges the “comprehensive and robust” plan that’s risk of transferring kauri dieback. A staged approach to earthworks been developed to prevent the transfer of kauri dieback. and vegetation removal – dividing the work site into nine areas – will “While we are still reviewing the 130-page report, we’re happy the allow us to use site-specific controls to safely remove the topsoil and council has granted resource consent for what’s an absolutely critical transport it to an approved location,” he says. project for our customers. We will be going beyond the call of duty to The existing Huia Water Treatment Plant was built in 1928 and is not only ensure no mature kauri trees will be cut down, but importantly, nearing the end of its operational life. The new plant will be capable of to minimise the risk of movement of kauri dieback,” he says. treating 140 million litres of water a day – 30 million litres more than The resource consent includes 171 conditions covering things like the sustainable production capacity of the current plant. traffic management, noise, hours of operation, and in particular, It will cater for regional growth with two new treated water storage stringent conditions aimed to prevent any transfer of kauri dieback. reservoirs, improving the security of the water supply. It will supply “Preventing the movement of kauri dieback is something we care about 20 per cent of Auckland’s water. deeply about, and we know the community does too,” Mark says. “This is why we’ve gone to great lengths to assess the presence of the As this issue of The Fringe went to press, The Tree Council kauri dieback-causing pathogen and sought expert advice to develop a confirmed it has lodged an appeal in the Environment Court comprehensive plan to ensure the safe removal of topsoil from the site against the decision to grant consent for tree removal and when earthworks are carried out.” earthworks on Manuka Road in Titirangi. TPG is still hopeful that Watercare will change their plans due to The broad community campaign collaborating on the case the extra complexity and cost added to the project by the consent also includes Forest & Bird, Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers conditions set by commissioners. Association, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society, Titirangi “Watercare need to stop doing what they’ve always done and Protection Group and Save Our Kauri Trust. start doing some innovative thinking that works for and with the
Proudly Supporting our Local Community The merged practices of Thomas & Co Lawyers Ltd and Titirangi Law Centre are able to meet your every legal requirement. Ray Ganda and Don Thomas have many years of experience working in the Titirangi and New Lynn areas. Now, along with the Directors and staff of the combined practices, a wider range of skills and resources is offered. See our website, www.thomas.co.nz, for more details of our history and personnel. We continue to maintain and improve our level of service for our community and clients. There is always someone here with the necessary knowledge and experience to assist with any legal matters that might arise. Give us a call, or come in and visit us. We welcome enquiries and are happy to answer any questions. Details of our office location and on-site parking can be found on our website. We have lift access and are also handy to the Bus/ Train Interchange. Visiting our offices is convenient and easy.
TITIRANGI LAW CENTRE
2nd Floor, 3 Totara Avenue, New Lynn (09) 827 5907 www.thomas.co.nz
please support our advertisers – they support us
The Fringe AUGUST 2021
5
