Fight builds to save Waima native trees
Those against trees being cleared for a water treatment plant in west Auckland are vowing to fight.
Watercare’s board chose on May 30 to pursue a $317 million replacement to its aging Huia Water Treatment Plant on land it owns next door, which would entail clearing protected native bush.
Titirangi Protection Group member Simon Kitson said people expected this site would be chosen over nearby Oratia but they are still ‘‘horrified’’.
‘‘Titirangi has a very proud history of fighting for its trees, fighting for its environment.’’
Watercare’s board at its meeting gave direction to build the new plant ‘‘avoiding where possible significant trees and significant ecological effects’’.
It also resolved to plant trees to mitigate the loss of others, and to look at realigning Clark Bush Track to Scenic Drive as well as retaining the heritage-listed buildings of the existing plant and the Nihotapu filter station.
Kitson said planting trees in the Hunua Ranges, as suggested by Watercare, would not mitigate the loss of forest in the Waima area of Titirangi, which was protected by the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act and was also a Significant Ecological Area under the unitary plan.
‘‘What does this say about Auckland Council’s environmental policy? Are they serious about protecting the environment? We don’t think this is an appropriate site. It’s unstable ground. It’s a historic Maori battle ground. It’s also environmentally sensitive land.’’
Watercare infrastructure planning manager Mark Bourne said proper investigation of the site’s stability still had to be undertaken but he did not expect it to be a problem as the current plant was built on similar land 90 years ago.
The design still needed to be finalised, consent applied for, and ‘‘there would be community consultation throughout’’.
Waitakere Ranges Local Board chairman Greg Presland said he was pleased for the people of Oratia, and their campaign showed ‘‘people power working’’.
‘‘I am worried however at the threat that is now being posed to the Waima area and I ask that Watercare consults fully with locals on the proposal and that any environmental damage and disruption is minimised.’’