Council Vote for the Ranges is a Vote for Waitakere

Local campaigners are absolutely delighted with the Waitakere City Council's vote to support the Waitakere Ranges Protection Bill.

"This is an important and historic decision for the whole region," says John Edgar, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society Chair.

"With the Council's leadership we're closer than ever to making sure our kids and grandkids can enjoy the Ranges, and that it is protected from inappropriate development."

"I congratulate and thank the Waitakere City Council for their hard work to get the Bill to this stage," says John.

If the Bill is passed by Parliament it will provide a framework for councillors and staff when assessing resource consent applications and working on future district plan reviews.

"The Bill will give the people of Waitakere and all Auckland the certainty they have been looking for in the future of this iconic landscape. It is clear that people are behind this Bill, as several rounds of consultation, as well as public meetings and petitions, have shown the majority favour protecting the Ranges."

"We look forward to travelling to Wellington to support local Labour MP Lynne Pillay as she introduces the Bill to the House," says John.

The Waitakere Ranges Protection Society is a community-based organisation with a membership of over 600 individuals and families. It is an incorporated society.

It has been in existence since 1973 and in that time has campaigned for the preservation and restoration of the Ranges through direct action in restoration planting, weed control, through interventions on both planning matters and on public works which threatened the integrity of the area.

Achievements include initiating and helping secure major additions to Waitakere parkland, such as the Pae O Te Rangi, Pauroa and Lake Wainamu reserves, defending large areas of bushland from subdivision, preventing three rubbish dumps in the Ranges, helping restore the Historic Winchelsea House at Karekare, commissioning numerous ecological studies of the Ranges and obtaining protection for the Ranges through improved zoning. The Society's Patrons are Dr John Morton, Professor Richard Bellamy and the Rt Hon. Jonathan Hunt.

www.waitakereranges.org.nz

For background information on the Bill and the consultation process to date see www.waitakere.govt.nz

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