Porirua Harbour Trust
One of the key roles of the Porirua Harbour and Catchments Community Trust is to be an advocacy body by way of submissions to councils and agencies on any matters of relevance to the health of the harbour and its contributing streams. The following are links to key submissions:
Wellington City Council long term plan 2024 – 34: PHACCT impressed upon the councillors that their decisions had an impact on two harbours not just one and that over half the catchments draining into the Onepoto arm of Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour resided in the boundaries of Wellington City. The written submission is here.
Porirua City Council long term plan 2024 – 34: PHACCT&GOPI thanked the Council for keeping the harbour as a high priority. Our submission encouraged the Council to maintain funding and to seek new longer term funding from central government for the riparian planting programme and for the Winnera to Onepoto shared path. The shared path ticked all the boxes for improved transport, climate change resilience and a cleaner harbour. The link to the submission is here.
Fast Track Approvals Bill: PHACCT & GOPI made a submission on the Fast Track Approvals Bill 2024. We saw the Bill as a direct threat to the environment. By removing many of the safeguards of the Resource Management Act and other environmental legislation and putting decision-making in the hands of three ministers the proposed legislation would turn the clock back to the dangers of quick fire projects being implemented with little regard to a sustainable environment. See our Select Committee submission on the Fast Track Approvals Bill.
Future Development Strategy: A draft Future Development Strategy was prepared as a collective effort by all councils in the Wairarapa-Wellington-Horowhenua region, WRLC iwi partners and central government under the auspices of the Regional Leadership Committee (WRLC) In November 2023 the Trust responded to the call for feedback. While we supported proposals for brownfields rather than greenfields development we were concerned to see that for our own city much of the development to take place in the first decade of the 30 year plan would involve green fields development. We expressed our scepticism that catering for growth of 200,000 new residents could take place while still having the natural environment as a top priority. See our submission on the future development strategy.
Kāinga Ora Specified Development Project: Kāinga Ora is proposing to have the Northern Growth Area of Porirua City designated as a Specified Development Project under the Urban Development Act. If successful, this would give KO and the Councils the power to ensure master planning principles for seven blocks of proposed development within the NGA area. While this seems a positive move, the Trust remains wary of development of such a large scale in what is mainly hill country that is erosion prone. Much of the stormwater would drain into either the Taupo stream or the Pāuatahanui Inlet via the Kakaho stream, both highly sensitive water catchments. Submission on proposed Specified Development Project September 2023.
Waste Management: Effective waste management is a key contributor to restoration of the harbour by preventing rubbish of all kinds from reaching our waterways. In August 2023 the Trust and GOPI generally supported proposals in the Wellington-wide area for more consistent and effective handling of waste streams. This included better recyling including an organic waste collection system and stopping industrial waste at source. In addition we advocated for more litter traps on major storm water outlets. Submission on waste
Wellington Water and PCC application for Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade consent: The Trust has made a neutral submission on the application. While the upgrade will improve the quality of the discharge from the plant overflows caused by cross connections and leaks in the pipes will continue to pollute the harbour and coastal waters. The Trust urges action on improving in-pipe capacity and storage further up the chain in addition to improving the plant. Submission on Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade consent application
Greater Wellington Regional Council Long Term Plan: Combined submission with GOPI made in late April. The Trust and GOPI have asked the Council to be heard on the submission. Submission on GWRC draft long term plan
PCC Long Term plan. Submission on the draft long term plan in late 2020. The Trust will have the opportunity to make further contributions during the plan process in 2021. Submission on PCC draft ltp 2020
Greater Wellington Regional Council Parks plan: Submission focusses on Belmont Regional Park and Battle Hill Farm. 2020 11 XX PHT submission on draft GWRC Parks Network Plan
PCC Climate Change Strategy: Submission on the draft climate change strategy. 2020 10 30 Submission on PCC Climate Change Strategy
Plimmerton Farm subdivision: The environmental consequences of the proposed Plimmerton Farm development are significant. In common with GOPI and Friends of the Taupo Swamp PHT was active in making submissions around minimisation of potential harm to the harbour. 2020 06 30 PHT submission on PCC Proposed Plan Change 18- Plimmerton Farm