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

Secretary: Ken Rae 233 9614

From the Chairperson

With the Inlet Restoration Plan now being implemented, albeit rather slowly, and with the City Council committed to producing by 2009 an integrated management plan for the entire harbour catchment, it is surely timely for us to consider what further part Guardians might play in assisting these efforts to protect and enhance our environment. With this in mind we are approaching the City and Regional Councils to explore possibilities for new community projectsthat could allow our members to take responsibility for some aspects of the Inlet environment. I anticipate that more information on this will be included the next Newsletter, if not before. We will then survey your opinion and your ability to contribute – though I would welcome your views right now on the general principle of there being more ‘hands-on’ activities available to you.

John Wells

Inlet Clean-up Day

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29 - 10.30 AM AT BROWNS BAY

Put this date in your diary now. Once again the combined effort by volunteers from the Guardians, Keep Porirua Beautiful and Plimmerton Rotary will begin with a briefing and distribution of equipment at Browns Bay and, as in past years, we will conclude with a barbecue and social time at the same venue at 12 noon. Coordination for GOPI is in the hands of Tony Shaw (phone 233-9391 if you need extra information). This is a community activity suitable for both young and old to make a major contribution to the health and appearance of the Inlet.

Annual General Meeting: 29 JUNE

Mayor Jenny Brash, supported by council officer Matt Trlin, addressed us on ‘Protecting the Inlet, the Council's Role’. She noted that the Council's new strategic focus on ‘ Healthy Harbour, Inlet and Waterways’ was stimulated by input from parties such as the Guardians at Community Forums.

Matt Trlin outlined the Council's new plan within this focus for a ‘Harbour and Catchment Management Plan’, noting that additional funding of $120,000 in each of the first two years of the plan would allow the appointment of an officer with responsibility for commissioning research and for developing the strategy, while major investment of almost $1.4 million was provided for implementation of projects in the years 2010-12.

Chair John Wells commented that the Guardians wanted to be consulted on development of the strategies and actions arising from the new focus, and would be on the alert to see that there was no watering down of the resourcing of the Pauatahanui Inlet Action Plan, which was very much the result of our endeavours in past years. Your Committee will be actively watching the development of the strategy, and are very aware that we will have a major task of representation at the 2009 review of the LTCCP.

The current Chair, Secretary and Treasurer – John Wells, Ken Rae and Barry Turfrey – were re-elected, and continuing committee members Miles Deck, Alastair Harray, Susan-Jane Owen, Janet Ryan, and Tony Shaw were joined by Priscilla Isaacs. Our website manager Beverly Fairfax will continue to attend committee meetings, as will Russell Morrison as an observer from Paremata Residents Association.

Recent Committee Activities

Greater Wellington Regional Council LTCCP: In the last Newsletter we noted our concern that more detailed comment on issues pertinent to the Inlet was made difficult by a lack of financial detail in the Plan. While our concern was accepted as valid by council members at the hearing of oral submissions, the Chair of Greater Wellington, according to his letter received at our September meeting, seems not to have understood the point we were making. John Wells was authorised to repeat in writing our concern about our restricted ability to discern details of policies with potential impact on the health of the lnlet. We await developments.

2007 Photographic Competition: The steering group to organise the competition has been appointed –last year's team of Ken Rae, Alastair Harray and Miles Deck have been joined by Priscilla Isaacs – and the application to Porirua City Council for funding from the Creative Communities programme has been lodged; a decision is expected by the end of September. Entries will once again be invited in February, with the winning and other meritorious entries displayed in three venues from mid-March.

Stream MonitoringProgramme: Alastair Harray is planning a get-together and training day at his home at Motukaraka for the volunteers for later this year, date yet to be announced. Additional volunteers continue to be very welcome. Co-coordinators Alastair and Mary Harray can be contacted on 233-6648.

Education: In recent months Neil Bellingham and John Wells have worked with staff and students of Plimmerton School on a project for the programme 'World of Water', sponsored by the Partners Porirua Trust. They attended the presentations by the five participating schools, each partnered with a business or community organisation, in Pataka on 14 September. Some of the Plimmerton School material will soon be posted on the GOPI website.

Press releases: GOPI is a respected organisation in the eyes of the editors of local papers Kapi-Mana News and Whitby Newsbrief and GOPI activities receive ready publicity. We are grateful for their support. All press releases are posted on the GOPI website and together provide an accessible and potted history of our activities over the years.

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 and accurate record and follow up if necessary––Ken Rae 233 9614.