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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have your say on the proposed mangrove
removal consent and associated rating
implications for Tairua. For more information
see section 7 of the 2012-2022 Draft Long
Term Plan available a
govt.nz/ltp from 27 March 2012. Submissions
close 4pm on 27 April.
Mangrove removal consent
Waikato Regional Council’s River and Catchment Services Group intends to
apply for two mangrove management consents for the Tairua Harbour and
estuarine system. This reflects what the council heard from the community
in developing the Tairua Harbour and Catchment Management Plan. The
consents form just a part of the implementation of the management plan.
Mangrove management in Tairua is aimed at:
•
maintaining diverse vegetation communities within the coastal
marine area as well as providing for recreational opportunities
•
maintaining open river and stream channels and mouths
•
ensuring mangrove removal is carried out in a manner that considers
the environment, harbour users and the impact on other habitats.
Information has been gathered and costings prepared on the process
to apply for and undertake comprehensive mangrove management. If
community support for funding is gained, and a resource consent is
granted, proposed works would begin in the 2012/13 financial year, and
rating to fund the work would commence 1 July 2013.
Hikuai cabbage tree forest
The first stage of work has been completed at the Hikuai cabbage tree
forest, with approximately 3 ha of weeds mulched down to ground level.
The weeds controlled at the Bailey bridge end of the site include Chinese
privet, Japanese honeysuckle, blackberry, convolvulus bindweed and wattle.
Mature native species including pukatea, cabbage tree and manuka, were
left intact, as was a small wetland at the centre of the site. The next phase
involves grass seeding and further weed control measures. Once this is
done, the community will be invited to replant the site with native plants
during winter. Planning will also begin on the next phase of works.
This project is a collaboration between Thames-Coromandel District
Council, Ngati Hei, Tairua-Pauanui Community Board, the Hikuai community
and Waikato Regional Council.
Pleasing results for streams
In 2011 a catchment wide survey was carried out on privately owned land in the
Tairua catchment, gathering information such as the extent of stream fencing.
Waikato Regional Council has been progressing works in a number of areas the community identified as important when they provided input into the
development of the Tairua Harbour and Catchment Management Plan. Some highlights and activities are detailed below.
Waikato Regional Council’s freephone 0800 800 401
harbour
and
catchment
management update
A total of 286km of streambanks were assessed in the survey. Less than 1
per cent had erosion issues, and more than 56 per cent of the stream banks
were fenced, preventing cattle from accessing streams. These results are
heartening.
This information will assist staff in prioritising works and will allow for
changes over time to be mapped and compared, demonstrating progress or
revealing new issues such as erosion zones.
Completion of Harbour and
Catchment Management Plan
In late 2011 the Tairua Harbour and Catchment Management Plan was
completed. The focus now shifts to implementation and support of the
already numerous projects underway within the catchment.
Our thanks to members of the Tairua, Hikuai and Pauanui communities for
their involvement and contribution in developing and implementing the
plan. Without them, it would not be possible.
Increase in boat naming
The Waikato Regional Council Navigation Safety Team was very pleased to
see an increase in the number of boats displaying names this summer in
Tairua and Pauanui. The recent boat ramp survey of 200 boaties in the area
indicated an increase from 73 per cent last year to 92 per cent this year.
For more information on boat naming rules go to
Need some assistance?
Restoring streams, wetlands, erosion prone areas and forest fragments can
sometimes seem like a daunting task. It can be hard to know where to start
and how to get the maximum benefit for the cost and effort involved. Our
land management staff can develop a plan specifically for your property to
assist with prioritising works, and provide information on how to achieve
the results you want.
You may even be entitled for funding assistance. For more information
please contact the Waikato Regional Council on freephone 0800 800 401.
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