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Jetty undemocratic
We write with deep disappointment and frustration regarding Auckland Council’s decision to grant Resource Consent Application No BUN60439595 without public notification. This decision disregards not only the environmental and community impacts but also the voices of local residents who have tirelessly advocated for the protection of our treasured Omaha River and coastal surrounds.
The consent, granted on the basis that the environmental effects are “no more than minor”, grossly underestimates the true impact of the proposed jetty, boat ramp and rock wall. The flawed assessment fails to acknowledge the following critical concerns:
Environmental impact: The site lies within a Significant Ecological Area (SEA-M1), yet the ecological assessment relied on superficial observations, overlooking species such as nesting shags and roosting spoonbills just 40 metres away. The disturbance from construction and ongoing use threatens these fragile habitats.
Recreational disruption: The proposed jetty would extend halfway across the main navigable river channel, obstructing a space cherished by kayakers, paddleboarders and boaters. This adverse effect on river users was entirely omitted from the assessment.
Visual degradation: The structure’s imposing size – over 3.8 metres above the waterline at low tide – will dominate the landscape, disrupting the natural beauty that defines the Omaha River’s character. Claims that visual effects are “less than minor” are both misleading and dismissive of community concerns.
Precedent for private structures: Approving this consent sets a dangerous precedent, opening the door for more private structures in the Coastal Marine Area (CMA), undermining public access, and eroding natural values over time.
Misalignment with environmental policies: The decision conflicts with the Auckland Unitary Plan and the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, disregarding key provisions aimed at protecting ecological integrity and public good.
We are appalled that the council dismissed these significant issues without public consultation. The decision undermines the principles of natural justice and community engagement that should underpin all resource management processes.
We call on Auckland Council to reconsider this flawed decision and process, and we urge fellow community members to raise their voices in defence of our local environment. Public notification is not a procedural formality – it is the bedrock of democratic participation in environmental stewardship.
Point Wells Community & Ratepayers Assn
Rates rise rancour
After suffering a 35 per cent rate rise, we were incensed to read in the article by Mayor Wayne Brown (MM, Sep 1) that we can expect a further rate rise next year of 7.9 per cent “simply to pay for the City Rail Link”.
In our opinion, it is outrageous to expect rural ratepayers, 99 per cent of whom will probably never use the City Rail Link, to be levied to pay for it. Surely it’s time for the rating system to be levied according to services received by rural areas such as ours.
It’s time for our council representatives to vigorously pursue fairness to ensure that rates raised in an area are not diverted to the bottomless pit of central city demands.
John and Barbara Maltby, Point Wells.
Outrageous rate rise
I feel compelled to support my fellow rural ratepayers who have been subjected to a collective punitive rate increase.
Somewhere in the bowels of the council machine there must be a group of people that considered that this was an acceptable course of action. By imposing these ridiculous rate increases, they have demonstrated with absolute clarity just how out of touch they are with the people. I cannot imagine how it may have escaped their attention, but NZ as a whole is experiencing one of the greatest financial crises since the end of WWII.
Economic optimism is at an all-time low, unemployment is soaring, the cost of living is out of control, commercial sectors of retail, construction and hospitality (to name but a few) are decimated, and some plonker (or group thereof) thought it was a good idea to impose a rate increase of anywhere up to and, on occasion exceeding, 40%.
Words simply don’t do this outrageous miscalculation justice. It’s a bit like watching Fred Dagg explaining how the banking system works – only without the benefit of humour or elegance of wit.
A rural property is responsible for its own fresh water supply, sewage and stormwater reticulation. It has no footpath, no immediate urban services or access to retail or commercial services. It is (by definition) distant from public transport, libraries and nearly all public amenities – yet we are expected to shoulder this ridiculous rate increase with the appeasement of a new bin with a red lid, whether we like it or not.
By comparison, how would it be if every cafe decided to impose a 20-40% price increase on their cup of coffee and justified it by declaring that it included a free biscuit (whether you wanted it or not) located in a public place over 30 minutes drive away (aka the library)?
I am far from clear as to how this will come to an end, but I can foresee a time when the average kiwi is going to call ‘enough’!
Richard Moon, Warkworth (abridged)
Remarks off-colour
I appreciate that everyone is entitled to their viewpoint but Wayne Brown’s has really got my goat – excuse the rural phrase. I assume that there is going to be a bucket of comments on his Viewpoint in the September 1 Mahurangi Matters, and I certainly hope that mine is not the most eloquent. But, honestly, did any Rodney residents actually vote for him to be our mayor?
His comments were patronising, judgemental and disrespectful to us local Rodney residents, who he is supposed to be representing. I know plenty of longtime residents in the area who will be severely financially affected every week due to the recent rates hikes.
This is not the first time he has insinuated that all of Rodney residents are well off so can afford to pay more than others, plus do not need the council-funded facilities that others in our Supercity seem to be entitled to. I would rather he kept his condescending Viewpoints to himself.
Ruth Tanner, Matakana
Happy birthday Hospice
Congratulations to the staff and volunteers of Hospice Shop Warkworth for the delightfully informal “do” they hosted recently to celebrate their 30th birthday in business with (shopping and courtyard complex) Argyll Angle.
From such an inauspicious beginning in a disused meat cooler to the large airy premises they now enjoy, the journey has been remarkable.
It’s with thanks to the wider community for their support that they have been so successful in raising funds for the ongoing work of hospice.
With this continued support we’ll back be back in 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary – and many more after that.
Christine Sanderson, Warkworth
Thanks to CAB
Recently, I had cause to go to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Warkworth with a property problem. The CAB volunteers were great at listening, asking relevant questions and then we discussed the courses of action available to me to start solving the problem. In a short time, I saw my problem more clearly.
Citizens Advice is open Friday from 10am to 1pm at 3 Baxter Street, between the Warkworth Information Centre and the Library, and makes no charge for helping our community.
Marjan Penman, Warkworth
