| Environmental Issues |
| Significance of area |
|
Biodiversity, last coastal green area left on North Shore,
international significance - only known Marine Reserve next
to a city, significance of the area to tangata whenua,
|
| Challenges facing area |
Fragility of area, soil, erosion, lack of recovery after
declared reserve.
Re-vegetation has many benefits, including:
· Function as a carbon sink
· Support of native wildlife
|
| Research |
|
Computer modelling by NIWA (National Institute of Weather
and Atmospheric Research) shows that any development in the
area will be detrimental to the well-being of the Marine
Reserve. Sediment levels are currently too high and revegetation
is required. Development, even with remedial measures, will
significantly increase sediment levels for 10 years as well
as levels of zinc, petrol, nitrogen and copper.
|
|
|
|
Mainland Island |
|
A Mainland Island Reserve at Long Bay -
Okura
Biodiversity is the greatest environ-mental issue facing
New Zealand. Over 90% of the plant species now growing
here have been imported. Only 8.6 % of our plant species
are indigenous. Extinctions of many of our fauna and flora
are well documented and as a country we feature in the Red
Data book with plants and animals still vulnerable and
threatened with extinction.
Islands - at a sufficient distance from our coast to be
made and kept predator free - have been a successful
management tool in creating pest free reserves for a range
of our most endangered species. But they are short-term
solutions with little chance for our species to maintain
the genetic diversity they will need for their long-term
survival.
The Mainland Islands con-cept has been a new
advance in species management. A recent national review
of our six Mainland Islands came out in support of the
Mainland Island approach. Tiritiri Matangi and Little
Barrier are two Island Reserves where species have survived
and flourished to the extent that that translocation to
other areas is feasible. These Islands are in close
proximity to long bay so translocation of species from
these off-shore islands to a Longbay-Okura Mainland
Island is quite possible.
|
Long Bay - Okura Great Park
The Great Park proposal for Long Bay Okura offers an
opportunity to include a Mainland Island within its
boundaries.
• The gazetting of a Marine Reserve in 1991 added an extra
dimension to an already significant landscape. The hinterland
is geomorphologically vulnerable and development into a
residential and commercial subdivision will diminish the
biological quality of the Marine Reserve. To protect the
Marine Reserve with a sizeable Park hinterland would be to
create a urban reserve of outstanding biological dimensions
accessible to the greatest population density in New Zealand
• The North Shore faces water quality and development issues
along the East Coast Bays coastline, including Longbay-Okura.
The Long Bay Regional Park beaches contain the last remaining
examples of natural land and seascapes which, if extended could
continue to serve the recreational and biological needs of
future generations.
• The area has been chosen by the Marine Education and
Recreational Centre for its headquarters and attracts over
10,000 visitors annually. While many come across the region
over 3000 international students also use the facilities. A
forest park hinterland would protect and enhance this facility
by maintaining SEA water quality for the outdoor pursuits and
adding another educational dimension.
• The long bay regional park is visited by 1.3 million people
annually making it very significant regionally and natioanally,
as a recreational and tourist attraction. A Mainland Island
Reserve would extend the attraction of the park and provide
a rich natural experience for those unable to access off shore
islands.
• A continuum of natural character from hill-top to the outer
boundaries of the marine reserve would be a significant visual
and biological asset.
|
|
