Auckland Council has a 10-year budget (2018-2028) which ring-fences $311 million for projects that tackle pests, weeds and diseases which are threatening our native species and ecosystems.
Another $452 million raised through a water quality targeted rate will make sure we have cleaner beaches, streams and harbours.
Here is how the natural environment and water targeted rate has been spent on Aotea Great Barrier so far.
Pest Control
Work is underway to increase pest plant and pest animal control in and around public parks.
Work has doubled for Argentine and Darwin’s ant treatment and monitoring as well as funding into controlling plague skinks. Rabbit and feral cat control programmes have been expanded for biodiversity protection.
The surveillance programme for pest plants has been expanded alongside a substantially increased programme for low incidence weed control. This will ensure possible threats are contained before they become widespread.
Auckland Council is also part of a national collective reviewing a range of biocontrol that may be appropriate for Aotea Great Barrier.
Marine Biosecurity
Mediterranean fanworm surveillance and marine high-risk surveillance is continuing as well as a new inspector and dog teams at departure points for Aotea Great Barrier and Waiheke.
The natural environment targeted rate ambassador programme ran over the summer in a collaborative approach with the Department of Conservation. The ambassadors provided advice to visitors and residents to the Hauraki Gulf Islands on the risks of them inadvertently transporting pest plants and animals, and pathogens such as kauri dieback disease.
This programme complements the programme that receives funding from Aotea Great Barrier local board.
Community Groups
Auckland Council is investing to significantly increase support for community groups to protect their local ecosystems.
Local initiatives include the Great Barrier Island Environmental Trust which received tunnel boxes and rodent traps (valued at $8611) for their trap library.
Glenfern Sanctuary Trust was awarded $14,000 funding over two years from the Regional Environment and Natural Heritage Grant for the Pāteke Habitat Restoration project.
Medlands Limited received $7500 funding over three years towards rat traps and boxes for the Shakepeare Point Protection project.
Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust received $15,000 to start-up the Aotea Community Native Plant Nursery.
There are also significant investments into the Kauri dieback management as well as track upgrades and a planned new hygiene station in Glenfern.
Water Quality
Auckland Council is educating landowners on swimmability and septic tanks as part of an onsite wastewater programme.
Aotea Great Barrier Local Board also provides funding to the Freshwater Management Programme, which includes a project for septic tank inspections, and follows up previous surveys to encourage landowners to get problems fixed, as well as riparian restoration projects.
There will be an investment of $361 million in infrastructure projects over the 10-year span of the rates to reduce overflows into the Waitematā Harbour.
Watercare is also investing in infrastructure to improve water quality, including:
- $1.2 billion into the Central Interceptor programme
- $412 million into the Western Isthmus water quality improvement programme.
