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Resolution
number WTM/2020/132
MOVED
by Member A Bonham, seconded by Chairperson R Northey:
That the Waitematā Local Board:
a) receive
the Notice of Motion
b) note with concern the findings in the Hauraki Gulf / Tikapa Moana
/ Te Moananui-Toi State of the Gulf Report 2020:
(i) the
reduction of kelp forests, koura (crayfish), terakihi, john dory, tuangi
(cockle), taiko (black petrel), fairy terns, tamure (snapper) amongst other
species.
(ii) kina
barrens, toxic algal blooms, acidification of the oceans, marine levels of
nitrogen and mercury, commercial fishing methods that cause damage to the sea
floor, water pollution, habitat degradation from sediment, stormwater events,
disease and marine pests.
(iii) and
the limited progress in the restoration of shellfish to the Gulf with 10
recorded mass mortality events in the Marine Park in the last ten years.
c) acknowledge the
complexity of the issue and supports the work
done by Auckland Council in its sustainable approach to procurement, for
investing in the Central Interceptor, and for developing the Strategic
Approach to Sediment programme and urges the Governing Body to incorporate
recommendations from this programme, the State of the Gulf Report and other
relevant environmental reports into the Auckland Unitary Plan so as to reduce
sediment, chemicals and pollution from urban development, industry and
agriculture from flowing into the Hauraki Gulf.
d) urge the Governing
Body to continue funding environmental research on Auckland’s coastlines
and develop strategies for environmentally sustainable growth.
e) urge the
Planning Committee to use their discretionary powers to develop a policy for
development and urban growth that ensures better water quality outcomes,
improving water capture and disposal, and improves biodiversity in our
waterways and harbours.
f) seek the
Governing Body to use their Resource Management Act powers to increase (from
the current 0.3%) to at least 30% by 2030 (with staggered targets in between)
the proportion of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park reserve that is protected and
to support the restoration of 1000 square metres of shellfish beds and reefs,
as recommended by the Hauraki Gulf Forum Political Reference Group on 25 May
2020.
g) recommend the
Governing Body in collaboration with the Hauraki Gulf Forum to develop a
business case for an expanded marine reserve, a networked protected area that
is likely to restore the biodiversity of the gulf and open up new
opportunities for Māori, New Zealanders and visitors to connect with the
natural environment, enable comparative research and research into
regenerative aquaculture.
(h) resolve to continue to
support local programs to eliminate mammalian pests from Waitematā and
endorses programs in other appropriate mainland areas and the Gulf Islands
(i) resolve to
play its part alongside Healthy Waters, Community Facilities, Watercare and
Auckland Transport (and fund local programs) as appropriate to improve the
health of waterways and the harbour, through stream and beach clean ups;
plantings; park management; natural and engineered systems to reduce
sediment, and contaminated storm water flows into the Hauraki Gulf;
(j) resolves to
support the Hauraki Gulf Forum in meeting their goals and collaborating with
stakeholders as appropriate.
k) resolve to
support local strategies to reduce emissions and draw down carbon to keep
climate heating below 1.5 degrees to prevent acidification of the ocean.
l) support
the speedy removal of harmful debris in the ocean and harbour – for
example plastic waste, car tyres – and the development of strategies to
reduce the practice and impact of marine dumping.
m) advocates to the Ministry
of Primary Industries and law enforcement agencies to adequately resource the
consistent enforcement of regulations by
fishery officers to discourage illegal practices, including taking fish illegally,
and using Danish Seine sets and trawling where it is illegal in the Hauraki
Gulf Marine Park to do so.
n) advocate to the
Ministry of Primary Industries that they explore setting up a registration system for recreational fishing boats or
fishermen, and introduce an effective system of reporting of the recreational
fishing catch so as to improve data around fish populations.
(o) request that these
resolutions be forwarded to the Environment and Climate Change Committee, the
Hauraki Gulf Forum, the Planning Committee, the Governing Body, Auckland
Transport, Healthy Waters, local boards, and the Sustainability Office, for
their consideration.
CARRIED
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