There’s something in the water - and Hibiscus and Bays residents want it removed.
Calls during consultation on the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Plan have seen moves to reduce contamination and improve water quality included in the board’s plans for the coming financial year.
Every year, local boards and the Governing Body reach a local board agreement that sets out activities to be provided in the area and the local board’s budget.
Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum says residents sent a clear message that they wanted more done to combat contamination and sedimentation in the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve and the area’s beaches and rivers.
“Things like stream re-naturalisation or stream daylighting can be effective, and we want more support for this vital work and that is in our agreement.”
Advocacy for better protection of our seas, soil and freshwater from contamination and sedimentation, environmental restoration groups and other environmental initiatives will receive $460,000 in support as part of the agreement.
Poppelbaum says when people ask for things beyond the board’s decision-making, particularly around transport, it will continue to advocate to the Governing Body and the central government.
“Many residents commute long distances, and we’ve been working hard and using every opportunity to advocate for transport projects such as Glenvar and East Coast Roads, Vaughans and Okura River Roads, and the Whangaparāoa bus station interchange.
“Another area of concern is the Gulf Harbour ferry. This is an important transport route for the thousands of people living on Whangaparāoa Peninsula and we will continue to advocate for it. We want these projects funded and delivered as soon as possible.”
This financial year, $23.1 million has been allocated to Hibiscus and Bays facilities, and community services, with $13.7 million going into capital investments in the area.
Key initiatives include:
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supporting youth networks that help young people thrive and have a voice
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promoting vibrancy, diversity, and creativity, including through events and festivals
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moves to ensure everyone is welcome and that diversity is celebrated
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developing community-led resilience networks to respond in emergencies
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working with others on future uses of undeveloped and established parks
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investigating cost-effective informal recreation and play options in some reserves
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funding to mitigate and adapt our public spaces and assets affected by climate change.
“With 2,082 submissions received, we thank everyone for their feedback. It was encouraging to find 77 per cent of submitters and 82 per cent of local organisations supported all or most of our priorities,” Poppelbaum says.
The board’s agreement is online, and its work programme will be adopted at its June meeting.
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