The Guardians are pleased to have the opportunity to again comment on the planning of Porirua City Council as it seeks to implement the important new strategic focus of last year's LTCCP on a 'Healthy Harbour, Inlet and Waterways.' Your Strategic Programme 'Porirua Harbour and Catchment' circulated at the time of the LTCCP provided initially for development of a strategy, then ongoing research and monitoring, and the taking of action in the light of those necessary preliminaries.
There was commitment to the appointment of a Co-ordinator, which is to occur in July 2007, to two years of research to produce a strategy and monitoring framework, for which $240,000 is now committed in the draft plan, and then for major expenditure to which $2.5 million is committed commencing two to three years ahead.
We approve of these commitments and the planned approach. We note also, and approve, the concern of Council to work with the Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust and with Greater Wellington in these matters.
We ask you to note that the Guardians have a continuing interest in the full implementation of the Pauatahanui Inlet Restoration Plan (PIAP). This is because of our awareness of two continuing threats to the health of the Inlet - sedimentation from avoidable erosion, and pollution from vehicles and stormwater. We note that in the briefing by Greater Wellington at Pataka on 12 April, the PIAP featured among their 'Short Term Targets' as one of seven 'regional plans', and with a budget of $404,000.
We are pleased that our Chair, John Wells, was invited to join with Council officers in the briefing of the consultant Barry Robertson on 16 April as the first step in the Council's Porirua Harbour and Catchment Strategic Programme. The consultant's report has been completed, and we look forward to its early release. This will focus community interest and discussion - and encourage involvement by all parties, including ourselves, in the orderly implementation of improvements to our harbour and inlet, which should constitute the living heart of our city.
Ken Rae
Secretary
Guardians of the Pauatahanui Inlet
