7 July 2015

Revised Harbour Strategy Released

A revised strategy and action plan to clean up and improve our harbour was released today.

The Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchment Strategy and Action Plan 2015 has been reviewed and amended after its first three-yearly review. The document reaffirms the original objectives and targets, while clarifying indicators and better identifying priority actions and work progress.

Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchment Joint Committee Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Anita Baker, said work to improve the harbour was ramping up this year.

“Work within the catchment will continue to gain momentum as Councils and community groups implement more programmes and these become more visible to the community,” said Cr Baker.

“Over the past three years we’ve made progress on upgrading the storm water and sewer networks in Porirua, surveyed fish numbers and run education programmes.”

Greater Wellington Regional Council representative on the Joint Committee, Cr Barbara Donaldson, is also pleased with the revised strategy and said, “I look forward to more progress over the next three years in reducing sediment and pollution of our harbour and improving ecological health and public enjoyment of the harbour”.

A PCC and GWRC joint $300,000 project to enhance and revitalise the Porirua stream mouth and estuary area has already started. It will see:

• Re-contouring of the reserve edge to reduce erosion issues and make it easier to get to the water’s edge
• planting including native vegetation
• removal of debris and rubble from the harbour edges
• development of areas for public use

Cr Baker said today’s revised strategy and action plan was a result of cooperation of the three Councils; Porirua, Wellington and Greater Wellington Regional, and Te Runanga o Toa Rangatira.

Hardcopies of the revised strategy are available at Council offices or for viewing at local libraries. Electronic copies are available at www.pcc.govt.nz , keyword – harbour strategy.

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