Our Opinion – ‘No’ doesn’t mean no

More than two years ago, when Council declared a climate emergency, Mayor Phil Goff stated that this would put climate change “at the front and centre of decision making”. This included “robustly and visibly incorporating climate change considerations into work programmes and decisions”.

Given that the ability of forests to absorb carbon is a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change, and the recent COP 26 in Glasgow made limiting deforestation a priority, it seems a no-brainer that the destruction of protected native bush – however minor – should not be contemplated. 

But things are never as straight forward as that.

A local example is the area of protected native bush (in Council terms ‘a Significant Ecological Area’, SEA) in Ōrewa that features in our story on p13.

It is in Arran Point Parade, alongside Ōrewa River and bordered by an esplanade reserve of mixed podocarp forest. There is not much of this type of bush left on the Coast and at one time it was considered for a public reserve (see story p13).

The developer proposes to remove 192sqm of the SEA to provide a buffer for dwellings.

It would seem that here is an instance where Council, which does not hand out SEAs without good reason, could just say ‘no’. Developers are a clever bunch and although they no doubt go for the easiest or cheapest option first, if Council requires them to go back to the drawing board, and leave the bush alone, they can surely come up with creative solutions.

However, SEA protection is always balanced with the property owner’s right to develop their land. Which is where resource consent kicks in.

Through this process, the developer has suggested reducing the number of residential lots to minimise the ecological impact (leaving 2.6 percent of the bush potentially affected instead of 7.1 percent). The company also proposes to protect more bush, by covenant, beyond the SEA. Future property owners will be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the covenanted area. 

If the developer gets consent for that proposal, it can create housing at a profit, while future residents will be left to enjoy, and also protect, that bush. That decision is in the hands of Council planners – who may also decide that the SEA must remain untouched, or come to a different compromise.

Whether or not a housing development in this location is ultimately a win for the environment – time will tell.