www.gopi.wellington.net.nz
PO Box 57034
Mana
Porirua 5247

Secretary: Ken Rae 233 9614

FROM THE CHAIRPERSON

As we wrap up our activities for 2007 it is time for me to give grateful thanks to all of you for your support in a hectic year. The turn out for the Cockle Count, the Inlet Clean Up and the planting programmes was marvellous. The result is a good job done quickly, efficiently and to the satisfaction of the authorities for whom we do these tasks. The photocompetition attracted a very large number of high quality entries and was wonderfully supported by local businesses. The work put in by your committee in organising these activities and making the several submissions to city and regional councils on matters concerning protection and enhancement of the Inlet environment has been extensive, sometimes exhausting. To all of you, members and committee, I thank you for a years dedicated effort and wish you a healthy and satisfying summer break.

I also want to pay tribute to Alastair Harray, who has resigned after six years as a committee member. During most of that time Alastair ran the stream monitoring programme, constantly recruiting new volunteers and ensuring that the programme met its obligations to the regional council. He had a very large role in the organisation of the last two Cockle Counts and in the annual photocompetition and was solely responsible for our planting programme. His great enthusiasm and good humour is inspirational to all who know him and he will be sorely missed.

INLET CLEAN UP 2007

On the morning of Sunday 7 October fifty volunteers turned out for the annual inlet clean up, despite the northwesterly gales, steadily worsening rain and the All Blacks' early exit from the rugby world cup.  As in past years the event was jointly organised by the Guardians and Keep Porirua Beautiful with the Plimmerton Rotary club members helping to pick up rubbish and providing a barbecue at the end.  The food for the barbecue and a lucky draw grocery voucher were donated by the Mana New World.  This year we were also joined by staff and families from the Australian High Commission – with whom we could for once jointly commiserate on rugby matters!

It is very encouraging for members of the committee that we always seem to
get this kind of indomitable support from Guardians members and other local
residents no matter how unpleasant the weather is. Let’s just hope that next year the weather relents.

6th TRIENNIAL COCKLE COUNT

Thanks to the wonderful turnout of about 100 volunteers the Cockle Count was completed on the due date of Sunday 11 November. Thanks to all who came, including groups from Ricoh copiers, the Global Volunteer Network, Greater Wellington and Porirua City Council. The data are now being analysed by NIWA but it looks as though the total population of cockles within the Inlet remains much the same as in 2004, indeed since 1992. This stability is good news, as is the fact that cockles are reestablishing in areas around the Pauatahanui and Horokiri stream mouths that were devastated by the large flood events early in 2004.

PHOTOCOMPETITION 2008

We have been advised of continued support from Porirua City Council Creative Communities Funding for our 2008 Photographic Competition and planning has commenced to seek sponsorships before the Christmas  break, to launch publicity from the start of February, and for  entries to be received up to 7 March.

Last year's competition saw a massive increase in entries, 271 prints submitted by 70 entrants, and significant increase in entries from young persons. There will be awards again this year in the four classes – Nature; Recreation; Human Impact; Reflections.

To encourage participation by young persons there will be once again a Youth Award in each section for the best entrant under 18 years of age – but in addition a new Junior Award for the best entry in each section by a photographer under 13 years of age.

The Committee of Ken Rae, Priscilla Isaacs and Ian Thompson are out this month  seeking sponsorships for the section prizes and have already received generous support from local businesses in excess of last year. Harvey Norman will continue as a major sponsor, with an offer of their VIP membership to competitors at a 50% discount - just $5.00 - that will entitle the member to free printing for the competition and access to the specials for their VIP members for the rest of the year.

Winning entries will be on display in three locations from 15 March to 14 April, details to be announced in the new year

STREAM MONITORING

We continue to maintain a four-seasons cycle with small dedicated teams on our four monitored streams. This work is ongoing and provides vital information on the health of the Inlet. Further volunteers would be welcomed by the new coordinator Ian Thompson who can be contacted on 233-1221.

POLLUTION ISSUES

Recently there has been a number of incidents of silt being released into streams around the Inlet. These are small and isolated incidents but their adverse effect on Inlet ecology is cumulative. Because of their transitory nature it is very important to advise Greater Wellington (see the pollution number below) immediately you see discoloured water in streams and drainage channels or flowing out into the Inlet. Prompt reporting enables the Council to trace the source and take appropriate action.

HOT NUMBERS FOR THE PAUATAHANUI INLET

Pollution : Discharges of contaminants to air, land, stormwater drains, rivers or sea and for after hours consent enquiries - Greater Wellington 0800 496 734 (24 hours)

Boating infringements : Greater Wellington 384 5708 (24 hours)

Fisheries issues : Ministry of Fisheries 576 8040 (day) 460 4702 (after hours)

Pauatahanui Wildlife Reserve : Department of Conservation 0800 362 468

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

PUKETIRO WINDFARM

The proposal to site a large windfarm of about 50 turbines on the eastern ridges of the Inlet catchment is creating considerable local controversy. There is a potential for damage to Inlet ecology and environment caused by sediment and other pollutants from the earthworks required for the construction of the turbine sites and the roads necessary to service them and for the continuing future impact of drainage of stormwater from these new hard surfaces. Your committee assumes that all members agree that this must be avoided and we will work to ensure that adequate provisions are contained in any resource consents given to the project. This process is likely to begin towards the middle of 2008.

In the meantime we have a dilemma. We recognise that because the turbines must be sited in prominent positions with respect to wind flow, the windfarm will have an impact on landscape and on the aesthetic and visual values of the Inlet catchment basin. But we are not yet certain that these are values that should concern the Guardians – as an organisation, distinct from personal view of each member. Our Rules state that our aims are “to encourage, promote, protect, maintain and foster the natural, historic and cultural values of the Pauatahanui Inlet”. We are not sure where visual amenity fits in this set of values.

We would like to assess your opinions as a guide to how we should act on your behalf as consultation about the farm proceeds. For example, RES, the company planning and designing the farm, has formed a liaison group with representatives from all local organisations with a declared interest in the outcome of the development.

We have joined this group so that we can relay to you up to date information about the project and about the opinions of other interested bodies. But it would be most helpful to us in these discussions to have an indication of the views of the membership and we would appreciate your completing the questionnaire below and returning it by post or by e-mail to wellsjm@xtra.co.nz. Please feel free also to send other comments and queries to us at any time in the future as the project unfolds.

Do you support windfarms as a way of generating electricity in New Zealand?

Do you support the proposed windfarm at the Puketiro location?

Would you accept some ecological impacts on the Pauatahanui Inlet from a windfarm?

Would you accept some impacts on the landscape of the catchment hills around the Pauatahanui Inlet from a windfarm?

Would you accept some impacts on the amenity values of Pauatahanui Inlet or of its catchment hills from a windfarm?