Jeremy Rusbatch
Resource Advisor, Environmental Regulation
Greater Wellington Regional Council
PO Box 11646
WELLINGTON
13 February 2007
Dear Mr Rusbatch
The Guardians of the Pauatahanui Inlet interest in this application is in its potential for adverse impacts on the ecological, social and cultural values of the Inlet. In this respect the proposed development appears to have been designed with considerable sensitivity for the ecology of the Inlet. Potential threats from enhanced sediment input and urban derived contaminants are identified and ‘best practice’ measures proposed to minimise them. The provision of a permanent wetland will be of considerable value in this respect.
However, the development will not be without cost to the Inlet and its human communities. The increase in vehicular traffic will contaminate the Inlet through stormwater runoff from roads outside the development itself. It will also add to pressure on the capacity of SH 58 and thus on the Inlet’s value for recreation. It is unfortunate that neither of these incremental adverse effects seems to be able to be taken into account in the resource consent process.
We also note with regret that this development will result in the loss of a sizeable patch of advanced regenerating native bush and the culverting or filling of several small ephemeral streams. These features may have little effect on the ecology of the waters of the Inlet but they are important in the general ecology and aesthetic values of the area.
Guardians of the Pauatahanui Inlet give their qualified support for this application provided that the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Porirua City Council maintain a rigorous monitoring regime for compliance of the conditions volunteered and imposed.
Yours sincerely
John Wells
Chairperson
cc. Staithes Drive Developments Ltd
