www.gopi.wellington.net.nz
PO Box 57034
Mana, Porirua

From the Chairperson

2006 is an important year for Guardians and for all those who love and cherish the Inlet as it is the year in which Porirua City Council revises its Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP). In this rolling 10-year plan (which is revised only every third year) the Council details the programmes that it wishes to progress in the next 10 years, and provides an indication of the funding it will provide for them. The news looks promising for the Inlet. Following on from their consultation with community groups the Council is likely to include “Healthy Harbour, Inlet and Waterways” in the draft LTCCP as one of five elements in its ‘strategic focus’ for city development. The goal is that “The Porirua Harbour is restored and the Pauatahanui Inlet and waterways are healthy and valued”.

This recognition of the importance of the Harbour to the Porirua community gives it the high profile in Council affairs that we have been seeking for some years. The draft programme includes funding for hydrographic and other surveys that will assist in making informed decisions about such topics as removal of sediment and treatment of polluted areas as well as enhancing the efforts to minimise further reduction in quality of the waters of the Harbour and Inlet.

The draft LTCCP goes out for public consultation in April-May. We will keep you in touch with developments and we encourage you to make submissions on the draft.

John Wells

ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO OUR 6th INLET PHOTO COMPETITION

With twice the number of competitors - from Tawa to Pukerua Bay - and three times as many prints as in 2005 we can definitely hail the success of this year’s competition. The only downside was the consequent inability to display all the photographs, and we have apologised to all competitors for that.

The 2006 prizewinners were: Nature: 1st - Andrea Broadhurst of Pukerua Bay; 2nd - Brett Collings of Whitby; and 3rd Brett Collings of Whitby; Recreation: 1st - Robyn Moore of Pukerua Bay; 2nd - Linda Baylis of Whitby; and 3rd - Julia Spinks of Paekakariki Hill Road, Pauatahanui; Human Impact: 1st - Kari Lloyd of Whitby; 2nd - Brett Collings of Whitby; and 3rd Andrew Gray of Tawa; Abstract: 1st Laura Goodman of Paremata - who was also judged BestYouth Entrant; 2nd Andrew Gray of Tawa; and 3rd Joseph Love of Tawa, another of our Youth Entrants.

Geoff Marshall, the competition judge nominated by Kapiti Camera Club, also made a selection of Highly Recommended photos for display from each category and our Chairperson, John Wells, selected a further set of Recommended photos from the remaining entries.

The colourful array of photos was on show in Whitby Mall till March 12, then for one week in the Porirua Public Library in Pataka, and from Monday March 20 for a further week in Palmers on State Highway One just north of Plimmerton.

“All the photographers who submitted images are to be commended for their effort to get out and create these images,” said Geoff Marshall in his report to competitors. “All the images showed in some way the beauty of the Pauatahanui Inlet, an area we are lucky to live near and to have access to.”

“In judging the photographs my decisions were based on technical quality, relevance to the topic, composition (how the elements are arranged in the frame), and originality (I was looking for new approaches to photographing an area we are very familiar with),” Mr Marshall advised. “I would encourage all the entrants to continue to photograph the inlet and the other areas of natural beauty in Porirua.”

There was a ready response from all businesses approached for sponsorship. We express warm thanks to Camera House Ltd, North City Plaza; Palmers Lifestyle Centre, Plimmerton; Mana Pharmacy; Whitby Post and Bookshop, Whitby Pharmacy and Whitby New World; Rushes Bistro and Bar Pauatahanui; B P Mana, The Sandbar, Pizza Hut, Cellar Room, Magpie and Shear Art, Mana.

Ken Rae was supported in the organising of the competition by fellow committee members Alastair Harray, Miles Deck and John Wells. The Guardians will review the format of the competition at their June committee meeting, with a view to an even better event next year. Winning photos will be displayed in the near future on our website.

ANNUAL INLET CLEANUP

Tony Shaw of the Guardians Committee, our 2005 Clean Up coordinator, reports a very successful day, with this community enterprise held on Sunday 27 November. Despite very unpromising weather 52 people took part, collecting a full truck load of rubbish within two hours. The clean ups are jointly organised by the Guardians and Keep Porirua Beautiful. Plimmerton Rotary run a barbeque at the end, cooking food donated by Mana New World.

A VEGETATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE INLET CATCHMENT

Underway at the moment is a research project aimed at enhancing the quality of the water flowing in the streams of the Inlet catchment. The aims are to identify sources of erosion, sedimentation and flood damage in the catchment and, in cooperation with landowners large and small, devise a management programme for vegetation of their property that will improve water quality in the streams while enhancing productivity, property values and the environment for the inhabitants.

Supported by funds from the Ministry for the Environment, the project is being carried out by PA Handford & Associates Ltd, who invite you to visit their project website for more information and further contact details – www.pahandford.co.nz/pauatahanui.html.

From the Guardians' perspective this is a very important project as recent research has shown that considerable quantities of silt reach the Inlet from the catchment streams and it is vital that this is minimised.

STREAM MONITORING

The Pauatahanui Inlet is silting up about 4-6mm. each year, reports Alastair Harray, coordinator of the Guardians Stream Monitoring programme. Our stream testing programme is one attempt to measure the consequences of run-off. We measure change over a period. We are always looking for new helpers. The work involves about two hours, four times a year, testing at one of our seven sites.

We welcome Glenys Evans, Sharron Gunn and Richard Witherford-Smiith to our group. Alastair plans a workshop in the near future to brief monitors, experienced and new, on the programme and the use being made by Greater Wellington of the data. You are invited to dip your toes in the water - and contact Alastair at 233-6648.

SECRETARY

Please note that Ken Rae has agreed to take on the responsibilities of Secretary of the Guardians. He is available at 233 9614 for your enquiries.

HOT NUMBERS FOR THE PAUATAHANUI INLET

Pollution: Discharges of contaminants to air, land, stormwater drains, rivers and the sea – and for after hours resource consent compliance queries - ring Greater Wellington 0800 496 734 (24 hours).

Boating infringements: Greater Wellington 384 5708 (24 hours).

Fisheries issues: Ministry of Fisheries 460 4702 (24 hours)

Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve: Department of Conservation 0800 368 468 (day), 0800 362 468 (a/hrs)

Let us know what you have reported so we can keep an accurate record and follow up if necessary - Ken Rae 233 9614