GUARDIANS INVITE MAYOR BRASH TO SPEAK ON HARBOUR AND INLET PLANNING
The Guardians of Pauatahanui Inlet will report a year of significant activity and community involvement when they meet for their fifteenth Annual General Meeting in the Bradey Room at the Whitby Library at 7.30pm on the evening of Thursday 29 June.
In their most recent newsletter, available on their website www.gopi.wellington.net.nz, Guardians Chair John Wells of Whitby labels the next twelve months 2006-7 another "important year for the Guardians and for all those who love and cherish the Inlet."
He noted that the Porirua City Council, following on from consultation with community groups, "seems likely to include in the draft LTCCP 'Healthy Harbour, Inlet and Waterways' as one of the five elements of strategic focus for Porirua City development." That draft LTCCP is now out for community consultation, from May 18 to June 19.
"This recognition of the importance of the harbour to the Porirua Community," John Wells affirmed in the Newsletter, "gives it the high profile in Council affairs that the Guardians 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 the removal of sediment and treatment of polluted areas, as well as enhancing efforts to minimise further reduction in the quality of the waters of the Harbour and Inlet."
The Guardians have therefore asked Mayor Jenny Brash to speak to their AGM at the conclusion of formal business. "We are delighted that the Mayor has accepted our invitation. This will be an important night in advancing the health of the Inlet." The Guardians committee extend a warm invitation to both members and prospective members to attend.
"We will be fulfilling the requirement of our constitution that we 'promote the ecological, historic, recreational and cultural values of the Inlet'. The new committee will seek to continue to work through 2006-7 in effective partnership with Porirua City Council, the ward members and the officers with environmental responsibilities," says Guardians Chair John Wells.
The Guardians are pleased to contribute to the activities of the Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust, which brings together community representatives and representatives of the local and national bodies whose activities impact on the Inlet. The Guardians support them in their funding and implementation of the Pauatahanui Inlet Action Plan.
The Guardians' principal concern however is to be a voice for the communities that live around the Inlet and who value its amenities. They provide an ongoing opportunity for residents and their families to take part in the ongoing stream monitoring, on which the Guardians report regularly on water quality to the regional council, Greater Wellington. The incoming committee will value input from members on further opportunities for community action.
The Guardians will report a membership of about 200, with noted increases arising from community participation in the Inlet Clean Up day in November 2005, and the highly successful Photographic Competition held in early March to coincide with the national Seaweek programme. Further members are welcome. One year membership is available to individuals at $12 and to families for $15. Many members have taken up the five year option of $50 for individuals and for families $60.
"Please put 7.30pm, Thursday June 29 in your diary now," says John Wells. "The next twelve months will be very important. We want all local families to share in promoting a new deal for the Inlet, the Harbour and the Waterways. We want the Council to achieve its goal that, 'The Porirua Harbour is restored and the Pauatahanui Inlet and waterways are healthy and valued'."
The Guardians are very open to new strengths around their committee table in the busy times ahead. Those interested in putting their names forward should contact GOPI Chair John Wells at 234-1788 or the Secretary Ken Rae at 233-9614.
Ken Rae
Publicity Officer, GOPI.
Photo Competition Coordinator
4a Paua Place
Plimmerton
233 9614
ken.rae@xtra.co.nz
