North Shore Times (New Zealand)
Run-off monitored
QUESTIONS are being raised over the monitoring of sediment run-off at a Long Bay housing development.
The large-scale earthworks now in stage two caused concerns for residents and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board members when clay washed into the marine reserve on two occasions last year.
The Auckland Council received numerous complaints from residents and reassured the public that sediment run-off is under control.
There are resource consents in place to ensure the developer, Todd Property Group, keeps the environmental effects of the work to a minimum, council resource consent manager Heather Harris says.
Ms Harris says this includes weekly site inspections and water monitoring.
‘‘The monitoring results indicate the developer is meeting the council’s discharge con- ditions in relation to the amount of sediment entering local waterways,’’ she says.
Ms Harris says the monitoring has not shown any major changes taking place to stream or sub-tidal reef marine ecology and it has remained stable since monitoring began in 1999.
Long Bay-okura Great Park Society convener Chris Bettany says the group has held concerns over run-off since the development began and has worked with the council to ensure Todd Property Group is complying with the standards.
‘‘We have tried to get Todd to put in place more robust rainwater catchment systems and we know they have been trying.
‘‘There is no evidence to suggest that they aren’t complying with the standards but we are certainly being a good watchdog,’’ Ms Bettany says.
The completed 160-hectare development will accommodate up to 2000 homes and up to 5000 people.
The first homes are planned for sale as early as next year.
Ms Bettany says: ‘‘Of course we are concerned. There are very extensive earthworks going on there. The question is if the conditions of the development are rigorous enough.’’
She says they have been lucky no heavy rainfall has struck the area in the past year and so run-off has not been evident lately.
‘‘Initially it looks as though it is okay but we are certainly aware and will be keeping a watchful eye over it.’’