More than $500,000 has been committed to ecological projects by the Upper Harbour Local Board.
The funding covers a cross-section of projects ranging from community-led ecological projects, construction waste education to industrial pollution prevention and the Waiarohia Stream restoration.
Chair Anna Atkinson says funding to provide an increased level of service in the Albany Library which isn’t needed this financial year has been reallocated to other projects.
“We are fortunate to have a community that is passionate about the environment – enhancing and protecting it, and we can work alongside them to safeguard our special areas,” she says.
“Much of what we have funded is designed to take action this financial year and we remain committed to helping our volunteers lead restoration and conservation efforts in their own communities.”
The Upper Harbour Local Board Local Environmental Work Programme includes:
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Upper Harbour Ecological Initiatives - $264,806
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Waiarohia Stream restoration - $93,500
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Industry Pollution Prevention Programme - $65,115
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Construction Waste Education and Leadership - $41,000
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Local Streams (Sustainable Schools) - $32,000
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Īnanga spawning habitat restoration - $26,000
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Te Ao Māori and community-led conservation - $5,000
Funding for Upper Harbour Ecological Initiatives enables multiple ecological projects to be delivered by the community including pest animal and plant control, implementing the pest management strategy, biodiversity monitoring, and restoration planting on private land which are high value ecological sites.
Local schools can continue the planting programme at Waiarohia Stream which began three years ago. It’s a massive undertaking creating a plant corridor for native birds and insects between Hobsonville and Whenuapai.
Atkinson says, “The plants are doing well but only nine per cent of the stream edge is planted. This is a long-term commitment, and we have doubled our investment in this project which is going to be great for Whenuapai which has very little tree cover and the goal is 30 per cent tree cover across Auckland.”
Businesses are being helped to reduce industrial pollution risks to waterways and the Waitematā Harbour. One hundred businesses will be visited in Rosedale and the new industrial area on Hobsonville Road is also part of the programme.
“There are site inspections and practical recommendations for the businesses involved and they also understand what they must do if something goes wrong,” says Atkinson.
With construction and demolition waste the single biggest contributor of waste in Auckland, and the scale of development in Hobsonville, the programme focusses on this area. The construction and demolition waste advisor works with builders and developers to improve site practices and compliance including the installation of silt and security fences.
Read the full report in the Upper Harbour Local Board Meeting agenda on 24 October 2024 at infocouncil.govt.nz (item 12)
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