News release
27 November 2007
Annual report cards reveal progress towards sustainability
Report cards released today by Greater Wellington show a region in reasonable environmental health but still grappling
with the pressures of urban and agricultural development.
The cards cover the health of rivers, streams and coastlines, air quality, recreational water quality, rainfall and
river flows, groundwater, soil, natural hazards and pollution control. They tell the story of what happened last year,
and actions the Council is taking to manage the region’s resources more sustainably.
Among the issues highlighted is the continuing impact of urban and agricultural land use on river and stream health,
particularly urban and most lowland rural streams.
Demand to fill in, pipe or realign small streams to make way for urban development has been growing over the last
decade. Increased sediment runoff from urban areas is also finding its way into more streams and coastal waters, in
particular Porirua Harbour.
Water supply pressures are also growing in some areas after the second driest autumn on record. The dry summer and
autumn resulted in pressure on groundwater resources as irrigation demands increased.
Greater Wellington Regional Sustainability Committee chairperson Cr Chris Laidlaw said the report cards enabled the
council to assess its progress towards environmental goals and share information about natural resources with the wider
community.
“It’s very important for us to share our technical information about the state of the environment with everyone in the
community. Recreational swimmers and fishermen need to know the state of our coast and rivers, while farmers need to
know the condition of their soils and the availability and quality of water for irrigation.
“There are important links between our environmental monitoring and our work assisting schools, businesses and community
groups to look after their local areas.
“Through our Take Care programme we are supporting 22 care groups to improve streamside and wetland environments
throughout the region. Through Take Action we are working with 35 schools to help children both explore the causes of
pollution in their local waterways and then take action with solutions.
“This work helps to mobilise the community to work together and often has considerable social as well as environmental
benefits. It is a significant element in the long march toward genuine sustainability.”
ENDS
A summary of findings is provided on the next page and a .pdf of the report cards is attached. More detailed monitoring reports are available at www.gw.govt.nz.
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Report snapshot
Recreational water quality
Forty six of the 76 beaches monitored had water quality that was suitable for swimming on all sampling occasions. River
water quality was suitable for swimming on all sampling occasions at four of the 20 sampling sites, with rivers most
likely to be unsuitable for swimming after rain.
River & stream health
26 of 56 river and stream sites monitored over 2006/07 had excellent or good water quality. Water quality is poorest in
urban streams and in the lower reaches of rivers and streams draining agricultural catchments. Work has started on an
urban stream management strategy and workshops have been held promoting the values of small streams.
Rainfall & river flows
Although rainfalls of over 300mm in the Wairarapa in July 2006 resulted in very high river flows and some flooding, the
remainder of the year was very dry, with the second driest autumn on record. The Wairarapa plains and eastern Wairarapa
hills were the hardest hit by the autumn droughts with soil moisture levels well below average.
Natural Hazards
The rainy 2006 winter triggered landslides that damaged and destroyed houses in Lower Hutt, Eastbourne and Oriental
Parade while two severe rain storms in July last year flooded farms and roads in the Wairarapa.
Groundwater levels
The dry summer and autumn resulted in pressure on groundwater resources as irrigation demands increased. Groundwater
quality is generally very good, but monitoring in 71 bores revealed high nitrate levels in four bores while bacteria
were detected in nine.
Soil health and contamination
Most of the soil sites tested had at least one soil quality indicator outside the target range for their land use, with
many soils showing compaction and high levels of nutrients. Most problems could be rectified through appropriate
management.
Air quality
The region had low air pollution levels last winter, with particulate matter (PM10) the only pollutant to exceed the
national environmental standards for air quality, and that was on only one occasion.
Pollution control
Environmental incidents were down 20% from last year, with odour showing the biggest decrease. Enforcement actions were
up 21%.
Harbours, estuaries and beaches
A survey of Wellington harbour’s sea floor revealed more than 100 animal species, mostly native crustaceans, molluscs
and worms. We are currently analysing the results of a survey of the harbour’s sediment quality.