Innovative thinking required says TPG

“Rethink your plans completely. Start thinking outside the box.” That from the Titirangi Protection Group (TPG) to Watercare following the granting of resource consent for earthworks and vegetation removal for the proposed replacement Huia Water Treatment Plant.

While construction won’t start until 2026, Watercare says clearing the forest and earthworks could start before then, says TPG’s Belynda Groot. “TPG has fought for four years to raise awareness of the major ecological damage from the proposed development. We’re shocked by the decision which puts the environment, and kauri in particular, last.

“The consent puts a vast number of healthy kauri at unacceptable risk, including two of the oldest kauri in Auckland – Bishop’s Kauri and Clark’s Kauri. Watercare has conceded that they may be unable to stop the pathogen spreading off-site,” she says.

But Watercare head of servicing and consents Mark Bourne says the decision acknowledges the “comprehensive and robust” plan that’s been developed to prevent the transfer of kauri dieback.

“While we are still reviewing the 130-page report, we’re happy the council has granted resource consent for what’s an absolutely critical project for our customers. We will be going beyond the call of duty to not only ensure no mature kauri trees will be cut down, but importantly, to minimise the risk of movement of kauri dieback,” he says.

The resource consent includes 171 conditions covering things like traffic management, noise, hours of operation, and in particular, stringent conditions aimed to prevent any transfer of kauri dieback. “Preventing the movement of kauri dieback is something we care 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 kauri dieback-causing pathogen and sought expert advice to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the safe removal of topsoil from the site when earthworks are carried out.”

TPG is still hopeful that Watercare will change their plans due to the extra complexity and cost added to the project by the consent conditions set by commissioners.

“Watercare need to stop doing what they’ve always done and start doing some innovative thinking that works for and with the

environment. It is well past time to start protecting our precious native forests and kauri in particular,” Belynda says. “Environmental concerns aside, the site is widely acknowledged by industry insiders to be unsuitable in terms of the constrained size, topography, and geotechnical issues. “Watercare has not taken the issue of kauri dieback seriously even after they were directed to by the commissioners. Our experts were clear that Watercare’s Mature bush on Manuka Road, Titirangi, near the site management plan would not prevent the of the proposed water treatment plant. spread of the pathogen and could lead to catastrophic consequences for kauri. “Innovative and environmentally sound alternatives are available. Watercare can do a whole lot better,” she says. Mark Bourne says Watercare will soon start working on the detailed design and construction methodology for the plant. “We’ll be sharing these plans with the community liaison group and mana whenua. We’re taking every step possible to minimise the risk of transferring kauri dieback. A staged approach to earthworks and vegetation removal – dividing the work site into nine areas – will allow us to use site-specific controls to safely remove the topsoil and transport it to an approved location,” he says. The existing Huia Water Treatment Plant was built in 1928 and is nearing the end of its operational life. The new plant will be capable of treating 140 million litres of water a day – 30 million litres more than the sustainable production capacity of the current plant. It will cater for regional growth with two new treated water storage reservoirs, improving the security of the water supply. It will supply about 20 per cent of Auckland’s water. As this issue of The Fringe went to press, The Tree Council confirmed it has lodged an appeal in the Environment Court against the decision to grant consent for tree removal and earthworks on Manuka Road in Titirangi. The broad community campaign collaborating on the case also includes Forest & Bird, Titirangi Residents & Ratepayers Association, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society, Titirangi Protection Group and Save Our Kauri Trust.

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