MEDIA RELEASE
 
 
Vision for future of Kaituna River and Maketu Estuary moves step closer

For immediate release: 25 August 2009
 
Environment Bay of Plenty, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua District Councils have approved the Kaituna River and Ōngātoro/Maketu Estuary Strategy, which sets out a vision for the future of the river and the estuary.
 
The strategy includes recommended actions during the next three years and beyond to improve water quality, restore healthy eco-systems, ensure sustainable land-use and support kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and local people’s stewardship.
 
Key actions include:
Looking into the creation of 100ha of wetlands
Progressing full re-diversion of the river to the estuary
Aligning with SmartGrowth and Ten Year Plans in considering a sub-regional/regional park in the lower Kaituna area;
Exploring opportunities to work together on environmental issues as part of the Maketu Community Development Plan
Reviewing permitted activities for stormwater discharge into the Kaituna River and Ōngātoro/Maketu Estuary, when the Regional Water and Land Plan is reviewed.
 
Kaituna Maketu Joint Council Committee Chair and Environment Bay of Plenty Councillor Ian Noble said it would take the whole community working together to deliver the vision of the strategy.
 
”There has been strong community support for the re-diversion of the river to the estuary and as such we are committed to advancing it as soon as possible. After reading and listening to the community’s feedback, the preferred option is the full re-diversion of the river back to the estuary with the capability of flood relief through Te Tumu Cut,” Mr Noble said.
 
Kaituna Maketu Joint Council Committee member and Tauranga City Councillor Wayne Moultrie said: “As a community, we need to pursue with vigour the funding options from all agencies and central government for the re-diversion of the river to the estuary.”
 
Fellow committee member and Western Bay of Plenty District Councillor Kevin Marsh strongly supported the creation of 100ha of wetlands. “We acknowledge the importance of wetlands to clean the water coming into the river, and support wholeheartedly the proposed approach of enhancing significant wetlands and an increase in the size of the wetlands.”
 
Environment Bay of Plenty Councillor and committee member Raewyn Bennett said the strategy was a vital step forward in addressing the long-standing concerns of tangata whenua regarding the Maketu Estuary, Ōngātoro, including the return of the Kaituna River flow through the estuary.
 
“I encourage iwi and the community to use the strategy as a catalyst for continuing to improve how we look after the river and estuary taonga,” she said.
 
The Kaituna River and Ōngātoro/Maketu Estuary Strategy will be available from Environment Bay of Plenty and local councils at the end of September.
 
ENDS
 

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