OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER THREAT FROM THE WATERCARE PROJECT! · massive project in our area – we...
1
1. LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION The proposed Waima/Titirangi site consists of three parts across 14 hectares (please also refer to the image below): • The new plant – this will likely be more than three times bigger than the existing Huia Water Treatment Plant – taking over the area on Woodlands Park Road from Scenic Drive down to Manuka Road. • New water reservoirs – two huge 60m water reservoirs are to be built on the other side of Woodlands Park Road in the area from just below the Exhibition Drive car park to the start of Waima Crescent. • The old plant – the buildings of the existing Huia Treatment Plant will remain and there will be an expansion of the discharge lagoon at the rear. 2. AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE & DISUSED BUILDINGS Waima/Titirangi is a gateway to the Waitakeres used by locals and tourists. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty with an identity built around the bush, and that character needs to be preserved! • The addition of the new plant and water reservoirs will transform the area into a massive industrial zone visible from all angles. • The existing Huia Treatment Plant is a heritage listed building so cannot be demolished and is likely to be become another derelict building scarring the landscape – like the Nihotupu Filter Station at Exhibition Drive. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & MAORI HISTORY Although these sites are Watercare land designated for this sort of activity, they are are also identified in the Auckland Unitary Plan as significant ecological areas within the Waitakere Ranges – which are supposed to be protected! Clearing them for construction will mean the devastating destruction of: • Beautiful mature Kauri trees & Clark Bush Track • Native birds & wildlife habitats – some of which may be rare or endangered • Any remaining evidence of early Maori history in the vicinity 4. MAJOR DISRUPTION & GEOTECHNICAL RISKS Construction will take around three years and cause major disruption. • Titirangi village will become a thoroughfare for construction traffic. • Access between the village & Woodlands Park (including school traffic) will be affected. • Heavy vehicles will be using Scenic Drive to access the sites and there are serious concerns about the stability of the existing road. • Watercare admits these sites have soil stability issues – which could be aggravated by removing trees and disturbing the soil for construction. • Geotechnical risks, coupled with increasing freak weather events could cause landslides and spell disaster for residents and for Auckland’s water supply in future. 5. IMPACT ON LOCAL RESIDENTS Nighttime noise and light pollution is a big concern for locals, as well as potential landslide risks and devaluation of properties. • 16 houses will be in very close proximity to the sites – some within four metres – and will be significantly impacted. • In the wider Waima community there are 2400 residents that will be affected by the project. THIS COULD BE OUR FUTURE! ACT NOW TO SAVE WAIMA! Now is the time to make our voices heard and oppose this massive project in our area – we need Watercare to reconsider alternative sites! There will be a formal public submission process once the site decision has been made by Watercare in May or June. Keep an eye out for updates on www.watercare.co.nz. In the meantime, you can email your concerns to Watercare at [email protected] and the Auckland Mayor at [email protected]. Please also like the Waima Community Page on Facebook for local updates. OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER THREAT FROM THE WATERCARE PROJECT! The proposed Watercare Treatment Plant will have a huge impact on Titirangi/Waima, so here’s some things you should know...
Transcript of OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER THREAT FROM THE WATERCARE PROJECT! · massive project in our area – we...
1. LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION The proposed Waima/Titirangi site consists of three parts across 14 hectares (please also refer to the image below):
• The new plant – this will likely be more than three times bigger than the existing Huia Water Treatment Plant – taking over the area on Woodlands Park Road from Scenic Drive down to Manuka Road.
• New water reservoirs – two huge 60m water reservoirs are to be built on the other side of Woodlands Park Road in the area from just below the Exhibition Drive car park to the start of Waima Crescent.
• The old plant – the buildings of the existing Huia Treatment Plant will remain and there will be an expansion of the discharge lagoon at the rear.
2. AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE & DISUSED BUILDINGS Waima/Titirangi is a gateway to the Waitakeres used by locals and tourists. It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty with an identity built around the bush, and that character needs to be preserved!
• The addition of the new plant and water reservoirs will transform the area into a massive industrial zone visible from all angles.
• The existing Huia Treatment Plant is a heritage listed building so cannot be demolished and is likely to be become another derelict building scarring the landscape – like the Nihotupu Filter Station at Exhibition Drive.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT & MAORI HISTORY Although these sites are Watercare land designated for this sort of activity, they are are also identified in the Auckland Unitary Plan as significant ecological areas within the Waitakere Ranges – which are supposed to be protected! Clearing them for construction will mean the devastating destruction of:
• Beautiful mature Kauri trees & Clark Bush Track• Native birds & wildlife habitats – some of which
may be rare or endangered• Any remaining evidence of early Maori history in
the vicinity
4. MAJOR DISRUPTION & GEOTECHNICAL RISKS Construction will take around three years and cause major disruption.
• Titirangi village will become a thoroughfare for construction traffic.
• Access between the village & Woodlands Park (including school traffic) will be affected.
• Heavy vehicles will be using Scenic Drive to access the sites and there are serious concerns about the stability of the existing road.
• Watercare admits these sites have soil stability issues – which could be aggravated by removing trees and disturbing the soil for construction.
• Geotechnical risks, coupled with increasing freak weather events could cause landslides and spell disaster for residents and for Auckland’s water supply in future.
5. IMPACT ON LOCAL RESIDENTS Nighttime noise and light pollution is a big concern for locals, as well as potential landslide risks and devaluation of properties.
• 16 houses will be in very close proximity to the sites – some within four metres – and will be significantly impacted.
• In the wider Waima community there are 2400 residents that will be affected by the project.
THIS COULD BE OUR FUTURE! ACT NOW TO SAVE WAIMA! Now is the time to make our voices heard and oppose this massive project in our area – we need Watercare to reconsider alternative sites!There will be a formal public submission process once the site decision has been made by Watercare in May or June. Keep an eye out for updates on www.watercare.co.nz. In the meantime, you can email your concerns to Watercare at [email protected] and the Auckland Mayor at [email protected]. Please also like the Waima Community Page on Facebook for local updates.
OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDER THREAT FROM THE WATERCARE PROJECT! The proposed Watercare Treatment Plant will have a huge impact on
Titirangi/Waima, so here’s some things you should know...
