Coastal Highway or Transmission Gully
- where do the Guardians stand?
The Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet (GOPI) will be making a submission
to the current important consultation on the North Western Corridor.
Submissions are due with the Greater Wellington Regional Council by
November 4, 2005.
'It is our responsibility as an organisation to advocate for the protection
of the ecological, social and cultural values of the inlet,' said Guardians
President John Wells. 'We are developing a submission which concentrates
on the argument that any solution to the region’s transport problems
must take adequate account of the impact on the environment of the Inlet
and on its cultural and social value to the community.'
'The opportunity should be taken at this time to reduce the current
high impact of the roading around the Inlet. Local residents will be
aware that traffic volume on Grays Road and SH 58 is increasing markedly
and already severely compromises the safety and enjoyment of recreation
cyclists and pedestrians.
'The traffic increase is also responsible for raising concentrations
of pollutants in the water. Sediments of the Inlet are close to levels
known to be dangerous to the health of the animals and plants that live
there. These traffic volumes are predicted to increase by at least 20%
in the next five and 50% in the next ten years.
'I am advised that about half of the traffic on SH 58 currently comes
from Whitby, but the other half, and virtually all of that on Grays
Road, is in transit between SH 1 and the Hutt Valley,’ said Mr
Wells.
‘These volumes are now such that major upgrades of Grays Road
and SH 58 will soon be needed to prevent stagnation of the traffic flow.
Such upgrades will undoubtedly include widening and straightening of
the roads. This would have very considerable negative impacts on the
ecology and aesthetic values of the Inlet and its marginal wetlands.
'Sadly these issues are largely ignored in Transit’s reports
and analyses of the two options. It is clear to the Guardians that upgrading
the Coastal Highway will have little or no impact on reducing the volume
of traffic between the Hutt Valley and Paremata-Plimmerton. However,
some reduction may occur if the Korokoro-Grenada link goes ahead.
'Transmission Gully, on the other hand, has the potential for a major
reduction. It is therefore the option that the Guardians will be supporting.
'Our committee has recommended, in GOPI's latest newsletter, that we
make a submission based on the above analysis. But we are very concerned
to listen to our members,' said Mr Wells, 'and they have been invited
to make their views known to the Secretary, Nadia Webster, at PO Box
57 034, Mana, Porirua, or by e-mail to nadia.emile@actrix.co.nz.’
The other major up-coming Guardians initiative will be the Annual
Inlet Clean Up in co-operation with Keep Porirua Beautiful and local
Rotary clubs, to take place on Sunday 27 November 2005. The Clean Up
will commence at 10.30 am at Brown’s Bay. The Guardians will reward
the workers young and old with a beachside barbecue at the end of their
morning's work, as has been their custom over several years. Paremata
resident Tony Shaw is organising the day on behalf of the Guardians
committee. For further information residents contact Tony Shaw at 2339391,
or John Poppleton of Keep Porirua Beautiful at 2371464.
Further information on all these matters, and more, is now available
in the latest Guardians newsletter.
