In June 2021 Watercare’s application to clear 3.5 hectares of pristine bush in the Waima located in the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area was granted. Of the submissions made in response to the 2019 application 468 were against, 20 were in support, and 8 were neutral.
WRPS was extremely concerned and had submitted extensively in opposition to this application being granted. Concerns included: that this application will generate significant and unwarranted adverse effects on the environment, will be contrary to the sustainable management of natural and physical resources, is inconsistent with the purposes and principles in Part 2 of the Resource Management Act 1991.
The application will have significant adverse effects on extensive areas of high quality and ecologically valuable native bush, birdlife and other flora and fauna. WRPS is concerned that the mitigation proposed will not adequately address the adverse effects that will be generated by the proposal.
There were subsequent appeals to the consent of the application showing the proposal could be breaching the Biosecurity Acet, as well as breaching the Waitakere Ranges rahui, Te Kawerau a Maki’s tikanga, as well as damaging the mauri of the environment downstream of the works.