Auckland Council has made a submissionto central government on their Clean Water package proposal.
What does this mean?
The submission supports, in principle, the new national swimmability target – to make 90 per cent of large rivers and lakes swimmable by 2040. However, it notes that managing swimmability in Auckland’s coastal environment will remain the first priority.
The council has also requested more accurate measuring and simpler reporting of swimmability.
The submission also welcomed further central government strategies that better integrate initiatives affecting water, particularly as they relate to managing expectations for growth and land use.
Council’s commitment to clean water
Auckland Council is already implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management policy statement through the Auckland Unitary Plan and other initiatives.
Some achievements so far include upgrading storm water infrastructure, supporting riverbank planting programmes, and extensive research to support changes in the approach to managing Auckland’s waterways.
Council has also established the Wai Ora Healthy Waterways programme, which aims to reduce contaminants and stressors affecting waterways around the region.
Do your bit for healthy waterways
As the population of Auckland continues to grow and land use intensifies, waterway management is becoming even more challenging and critical. Council is committed to addressing the region’s complex water issues at a government level but all Aucklanders have a part to play in managing water quality and preventing damage to the environment.
You can find out more about how you can help promote healthy waterways on the Auckland Council website.
