This is possibly one of the hardest assignment I have done so far, not only my group only consist of two people while normally there are 4-5 people in each group, but also the severe lack of information of the study site. In the end I pulled it off and got a good grade, a most rewarding and gratifying thing. (this is the entire assignment includeing part 1 and 2)
Plan 204 Coastal Management Report Parts 1
1. Location of designated Catchment
Puhinui Creek and Pukaki Creek in Manukau harbour area adjacent to Auckland International Airport. Both creeks are in the jurisdiction of the Manukau City Council and both are close to Major Town centres.
2. Integrated Catchment Management
To best understand and implement what Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) is one has first to know what a catchment is, and according to the book Ecological context of Development, New Zealand Perspectives by Marjorie van Roon and Stephen Knight (2004: 36):
"A catchment can be defined by water flow. Rain landing on vegetation or the ground wither percolates into the ground, evaporates, or flow via creeks and streams into rivers, lakes estuaries, swamps, or coastal water bodies. Plants take up water, and this eventually evaporates or is transpired back into the atmosphere. As a rough guide, the ridgelines surrounding a waterbody can be used to indicate the limits of the catchment. For example, the headwaters of a river will often (through not always) be the upper limit of a catchment”
To best understand and implement what Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) is one has first to know what a catchment is, and according to the book Ecological context of Development, New Zealand Perspectives by Marjorie van Roon and Stephen Knight (2004: 36):
"A catchment can be defined by water flow. Rain landing on vegetation or the ground wither percolates into the ground, evaporates, or flow via creeks and streams into rivers, lakes estuaries, swamps, or coastal water bodies. Plants take up water, and this eventually evaporates or is transpired back into the atmosphere. As a rough guide, the ridgelines surrounding a waterbody can be used to indicate the limits of the catchment. For example, the headwaters of a river will often (through not always) be the upper limit of a catchment”
Integrated Catchment Management as its name suggests, the system combines a number of disciplines to help water resources and land use in a catchment scale, as well as incorporating the concept of sustainability and references to the RMA.
ICM compared to other more directive approaches has many advantages, first of all, because ICM view catchments not as individual entities about as a system of process that is intrinsically connected to the surrounding landscape, because of this ICM’s solution to problems are targeted at the source rather than mitigating adverse effects, and this result a more effective solution to problems (An ARC Guide to Structure Planning 2005: 3). Secondly, because ICM involves so many areas of study, there rarely circumstances where an area of catchment management plan been left out unattended, viewing the catchment in a holistic perspective is important to improve and maintain the integrity of the catchments (Heathcote 1998: 10-11)
To best implement ICM, one should first identify the natural and physical constraints that are present in the particular catchment, then determine in what ways that these constraints will impact on the form and intensity of growth/land use in the surrounding catchment area. The result can then be evaluated and a future plan can be formulated based on the cost-effectiveness of solution for the constraints identified in the study area.
3. Description of the catchment:
Both of Puhinui Creek and Pukaki Creek are located alongside Auckland International Airport, and this may have severe consequences to the ecological system within the estuarine environment. Birds would have been all but eradicated as birds may cause potential problems for aircraft during take-off and landing. From the field observation we noticed that both of the creeks are dry and have a dense vegetation cover. Furthermore both creeks are very close to large amount of impermeable surfaces and suburban environment. In geological terms the two creeks are identical, both are located in a volcanic setting, with the Pukaki Creek situated next to the Pukaki volcanic crater. As both catchment are close to residential areas, there is minimal protection from storm water runoffs, there are no trees or bushes to filter and trap rainwater if a storm arrive and storm water along with all the contaminates from the residential and rural zones are discharged directly to the two catchments. Both creeks also have a rather narrow mouth relative to their size and this may influence the flushing effect created by tides and cause extended sediment accumulation and built up of hazardous wastes and chemicals.
Both of Puhinui Creek and Pukaki Creek are located alongside Auckland International Airport, and this may have severe consequences to the ecological system within the estuarine environment. Birds would have been all but eradicated as birds may cause potential problems for aircraft during take-off and landing. From the field observation we noticed that both of the creeks are dry and have a dense vegetation cover. Furthermore both creeks are very close to large amount of impermeable surfaces and suburban environment. In geological terms the two creeks are identical, both are located in a volcanic setting, with the Pukaki Creek situated next to the Pukaki volcanic crater. As both catchment are close to residential areas, there is minimal protection from storm water runoffs, there are no trees or bushes to filter and trap rainwater if a storm arrive and storm water along with all the contaminates from the residential and rural zones are discharged directly to the two catchments. Both creeks also have a rather narrow mouth relative to their size and this may influence the flushing effect created by tides and cause extended sediment accumulation and built up of hazardous wastes and chemicals.
3.1 Puhinui Creek:
It is situated further south from airport and is grouped together with the Puhinui Reserve; the overall catchment area is 2220 hectares and is a major component of the “gateway Heritage” area of the Manukau city and has considerable historical, conservation and amenity value. The creek is next to volcanic landforms that is a part of the Matukuturua volcanic field. The reserve is also an important part of the creek as it would help to maintain the creeks nutrient levels and act as a filter and retainer for rain water. From the boundary base map we can see that the Puhinui creeks catchment area is much larger than Pukaki Creek’s as Puhinui have a more extensive waterway system than Pukaki.
Figure 1: this picture is taken from Puhinui creek and we can see in this photo that there is no clear boundary where the mangrove starts and where public area stops, and as there is no vegetation along the bank of the mangrove this would allow unhindered storm water runoff, furthermore the slope of the landscape encourages the water movement towards the creek.
3.2 Pukaki Creek:
The creek is situated right next to the Auckland international airport, and because the airport have to protect the safety for passengers the mangroves and other vegetation in the creek are kept in a way that it would be very unattractive for bird life from utilizing the area, furthermore although the airport have several storm water treatment the probability of storm water runoff is still high due to the size of impermeable surfaces in the International Airport (Auckland Airport). The size of the Pukaki Creek, because of its connection to Waokauri Creek, is much larger than Puhinui creek, yet because its closeness to the airport it would provide minimal amount of wildlife habitat.
Figure 2: this photo shows the Pukaki Creek wetland, notice the particular thick and low laying vegetation growth, an indication of airport vegetation control that make the area unattractive to birds. Furthermore, particular attention are to be paid at the far bank where residential housing is very close to the wetland areas, and may cause household waste discharge into the wetlands.
It is situated further south from airport and is grouped together with the Puhinui Reserve; the overall catchment area is 2220 hectares and is a major component of the “gateway Heritage” area of the Manukau city and has considerable historical, conservation and amenity value. The creek is next to volcanic landforms that is a part of the Matukuturua volcanic field. The reserve is also an important part of the creek as it would help to maintain the creeks nutrient levels and act as a filter and retainer for rain water. From the boundary base map we can see that the Puhinui creeks catchment area is much larger than Pukaki Creek’s as Puhinui have a more extensive waterway system than Pukaki.
Figure 1: this picture is taken from Puhinui creek and we can see in this photo that there is no clear boundary where the mangrove starts and where public area stops, and as there is no vegetation along the bank of the mangrove this would allow unhindered storm water runoff, furthermore the slope of the landscape encourages the water movement towards the creek.
3.2 Pukaki Creek:
The creek is situated right next to the Auckland international airport, and because the airport have to protect the safety for passengers the mangroves and other vegetation in the creek are kept in a way that it would be very unattractive for bird life from utilizing the area, furthermore although the airport have several storm water treatment the probability of storm water runoff is still high due to the size of impermeable surfaces in the International Airport (Auckland Airport). The size of the Pukaki Creek, because of its connection to Waokauri Creek, is much larger than Puhinui creek, yet because its closeness to the airport it would provide minimal amount of wildlife habitat.
Figure 2: this photo shows the Pukaki Creek wetland, notice the particular thick and low laying vegetation growth, an indication of airport vegetation control that make the area unattractive to birds. Furthermore, particular attention are to be paid at the far bank where residential housing is very close to the wetland areas, and may cause household waste discharge into the wetlands.
4 Hydrology
Water quality in both the of the creeks are rather bad, the water is turbid indicate a high level of suspended sediment and there is not visual clarity in the water, thus the creeks are not atheistically unpleasing, the aquatic species, if there is any, would be in a bad situation as well. The Saline Water Quality Statement 2008 by Auckland Regional Council indicates also the in Manukau Harbour there is a particularly strong concentration of Nitrogen and nitrogen compound such as nitrite (NO2-N) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NO4-N) in the water, both are indicators of wastewater discharges. (Pipe photo)
Water quality in both the of the creeks are rather bad, the water is turbid indicate a high level of suspended sediment and there is not visual clarity in the water, thus the creeks are not atheistically unpleasing, the aquatic species, if there is any, would be in a bad situation as well. The Saline Water Quality Statement 2008 by Auckland Regional Council indicates also the in Manukau Harbour there is a particularly strong concentration of Nitrogen and nitrogen compound such as nitrite (NO2-N) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NO4-N) in the water, both are indicators of wastewater discharges. (Pipe photo)
The quality of water for both creeks are turbid as derived from the ARC report and satellite image and photos, it would be impossible and highly unhealthy to actually swim in both areas and any human utilisation of the water resource are very low. Sediment levels in both of the creeks are very high and water clarity is virtually none existent.
Because the landscape surrounding both catchments high in a valley form and because the proximity to building, industrial, rural and residential areas the storm water wash off would greatly affect the quality of the wildlife habitat.
Figure 3 this waste water discharge pipe was discovered at Puhinui Creek, with what look like household discharges, this would cause pollution and over growth in nearby mangroves. Yet because no actual test has been done there is no information available to determine what this discharge point would affect the nearby vegetation.
Figure 3 this waste water discharge pipe was discovered at Puhinui Creek, with what look like household discharges, this would cause pollution and over growth in nearby mangroves. Yet because no actual test has been done there is no information available to determine what this discharge point would affect the nearby vegetation.
Table 1 this table represents the amount of the sediment and other additional chemicals in the saline water in the Auckland region, of particular attention are focused to Weymouth and Mangere Bridge, these locations are located at the lower and upper area from Puhinui and Pukaki respectively, and these figures are a good indication of the water quality of the two creeks. And from the table we can see that the water quality is likely to be very poor. (Auckland Regional Council 2009: 25)
5 Topography
Both creeks’ landforms are very similar, Puhinui creek and Pukaki creek are both located in the same volcanic zone (Waitemate Volcanic Group). The landform consists with alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone with clay, silts and sands overlay these and in most cases the upper layer under the topsoil layer is moderate to highly weathered clays (Manukau City Council 2004: 4).
5 Topography
Both creeks’ landforms are very similar, Puhinui creek and Pukaki creek are both located in the same volcanic zone (Waitemate Volcanic Group). The landform consists with alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone with clay, silts and sands overlay these and in most cases the upper layer under the topsoil layer is moderate to highly weathered clays (Manukau City Council 2004: 4).
The streambeds and immediate surrounds can be classified as Undifferentiated Alluvium and grain size of the sediments tend towards clay and silt sizes. Lower catchment below the motorway at Puhinui creek is classified as pumiceous deposits of pumiceous mud, sand and gravel, with black muddy peat and lignite (Manukau City Council 2004) while Pukaki Creek is likely have similar class of sediments and depositions. Silts and sands are normally expected closer to the surface yet because both catchments are close to a mix of rural, industrial and urban setting with a large number of constructions happening in newly developed areas, there could also be a significant percentage of fine-grained weathered material washed in from the different sites.
The old Manurewa volcano on the true left bank left materials downstream of the Puhinui Stream that can be classified as grey dense fine basalt and basanite lava as well as limited areas of scoria found in this area. The land adjacent to the stream is flanked with Lithic Tuff, the hydraulic properties of this material are highly variable, and because this sub-catchment covers a small percentage of the total catchment area and as the outlet point for this sub-catchment is near the Puhinui Stream outlet, the overall effect on flood levels and extents is likely to be small for the catchment area (see appendix 1 & 2 for topographic map of the two catchments, also appendix 3&4 for satellite image showing land usage, Source: Google Map).
6 Wild Life
The Puhinui creek and the adjacent Puhinui reserve is the nesting ground to a variety of rare or endangered species including the black stilt, NZ dotterel, fernbird and wrybill. There are also large flocks of migratory wader birds that use the reserve’s coastal marsh flat for feeding and roosting. Between the southern tip of the reserve and the mouth of the Puhinui stream there is a large intertidal area set aside as the “Puhinui Stream Wildlife Refuge” because of its importance as a wading bird habitat. Without proper environmental protection of the area, species such as Oystercatchers, Godwits and Lesser Knots could become rarer in the future. The open grazing area surrounding the reserve and the creek also provide feeding habitat for the Harrier Hawk (kahu), Paradise Shelducks and Mallard Sucks, Pukeko and Starling (Manukau City Council).
The Puhinui creek and the adjacent Puhinui reserve is the nesting ground to a variety of rare or endangered species including the black stilt, NZ dotterel, fernbird and wrybill. There are also large flocks of migratory wader birds that use the reserve’s coastal marsh flat for feeding and roosting. Between the southern tip of the reserve and the mouth of the Puhinui stream there is a large intertidal area set aside as the “Puhinui Stream Wildlife Refuge” because of its importance as a wading bird habitat. Without proper environmental protection of the area, species such as Oystercatchers, Godwits and Lesser Knots could become rarer in the future. The open grazing area surrounding the reserve and the creek also provide feeding habitat for the Harrier Hawk (kahu), Paradise Shelducks and Mallard Sucks, Pukeko and Starling (Manukau City Council).
Contrary to the Puhinui Creek, Pukaki creek does not have much wild or bird life due to the airport control and maintenance of vegetation height that makes the marsh land in the area unattractive to birdlife. The inlet to the Manukau Harbour has large swath of sand banks which may provide habitats for crustaceans yet because of the high turbidity and sediment levels in the area it is unlikely that a large community of wildlife of any kind can survive in the area. However from the Auckland Airport website it states that in compensation for the control measures around the airport they have established more attractive habitats in other areas that is low risk to the airplanes
7 Flora and Fauna
Puhinui reserve was once sustained a large native podocarp-broadleaf forest, but due to urban development, this native forest is replaced by cabbage trees on the southern shore. Salt marsh and manuka plant communities that provide cover for other native species along the western shoreline. The eastern shoreline of the Puhinui Stream contains mangroves reported to be the largest and oldest specimens on the Manukau harbour. The open space surrounding the stream are being replanted with native species such as soprosma, cabbage trees, kanuka, NZ flax, carex and hebe, as a part of an ongoing revegetation programme (Manukau City Council). There are also several clusters of pines in the reserve to provide shelter for stock, but this would mean cattle or other farm animals wander very close to the water edge and would affect the integrity of the Puhinui creek and the surrounding reserve.
Puhinui reserve was once sustained a large native podocarp-broadleaf forest, but due to urban development, this native forest is replaced by cabbage trees on the southern shore. Salt marsh and manuka plant communities that provide cover for other native species along the western shoreline. The eastern shoreline of the Puhinui Stream contains mangroves reported to be the largest and oldest specimens on the Manukau harbour. The open space surrounding the stream are being replanted with native species such as soprosma, cabbage trees, kanuka, NZ flax, carex and hebe, as a part of an ongoing revegetation programme (Manukau City Council). There are also several clusters of pines in the reserve to provide shelter for stock, but this would mean cattle or other farm animals wander very close to the water edge and would affect the integrity of the Puhinui creek and the surrounding reserve.
Pukaki Creek in most case is very similar to Puhinui Creek, but Pukaki Creek and its joining creek Waokauri Creek are not public reserves and the surrounding marsh land is maintained by Auckland International Airport, according to the airport website the vegetation in the area are maintained in a way that is unattractive to birdlife, and from the photo we can see that both the height and thickness of the mangrove is controlled so that bird and other wildlife would have great difficulty to utilise the area both as a feeding ground and as a nesting ground. To compensate for this Auckland International Airport established suitable bird environments in low risk areas such as the one on Wiroa Island which is now recognised as having a regional significance for the catchment area.
Furthermore, both creeks suffer from lack of vegetation along their banks, this lack of plants would allow a greater amount of storm water runoff enter the catchment and in turn affect the ecological integrity of both catchments.
Figure 4: this is evidence of lack of vegetation along side wetland bank at Pukaki Creek, Puhinui also suffers from the same problem. A lack of vegetation along the banks would likely to cause severe storm water wash off and would affect the ecological balance in the creek.
Figure 4: this is evidence of lack of vegetation along side wetland bank at Pukaki Creek, Puhinui also suffers from the same problem. A lack of vegetation along the banks would likely to cause severe storm water wash off and would affect the ecological balance in the creek.
8 Cultural
The culture values of both study sites are significant; Puhinui Creek together with its adjacent conservation reserve and wetlands not only provide natural and culturally important amenities to the local residents, along with strong connections with local Maori tribes for traditional hunting and fishing activities but also serves as a conservation area providing feeding and nesting ground to migratory birds.
The culture values of both study sites are significant; Puhinui Creek together with its adjacent conservation reserve and wetlands not only provide natural and culturally important amenities to the local residents, along with strong connections with local Maori tribes for traditional hunting and fishing activities but also serves as a conservation area providing feeding and nesting ground to migratory birds.
Pukaki Crater located at headwaters of Pukaki Creek is one of the most pristine and undisturbed volcanic explosion craters remaining in the Auckland volcanic field, and naturally has significant geological, historical and cultural importance to local and national population. The crater is also important to local iwi as one of Nga Tapuwae o Mataoho (the footprints of Mataoho) associated with volcanic forces in Maori creation myth. Footprints of Mataoho can be followed across the Auckland isthmus as a series of explosion craters, Pukaki crater as one of the footprints is called Te Pukaki Tapu o Poutukeka (the sacred well spring of Poutukeka). Poutukeka was one of the crew of the Tainui waka and the original ancestor of all 33 generations of mana whenua in this area. The crater also has other significant associations with the Waiohua people as the location of urupa, pa and papakainga (Manukau City Council 2007). It is secured for a public reserve by Manukau City Council, through a $6.07millon purchase announced on 3rd of July 2007 (Manukau City Council 2007).
The interior of the explosion crater was once a tidal lagoon but, some 85 years ago, was drained and converted to pasture. Ownership of the lagoon passed to the Auckland Harbour Board under the 1911 Manukau Harbour Control Act, despite Maori protest at the time. Later the freehold title over the lagoon was transferred to Manukau City Council which, in the 1990s, returned the lagoon to the Pukaki Maori Marae Committee as part of the council’s acknowledgement of the decision by the Waitangi Tribunal on the Manukau claim.
9 Limitations
Here are some limitations of information and results in this report:
• There is a limitation of resources available for both catchment as most available are from council sites and may restrict the variety of information presented in this report.
• The analysis for the information collected lack a professional input in terms of hydrological and topographical features.
• Further misrepresentation of the data may be present as some data may not be the latest information available.
• Also due to the time constraints and availability of resources the group has been unable to obtain first hand data about the actual sediments content and local community’s usage and relationship to both catchments.
• Lack of first-hand data would mean that the accuracy of the data is not guaranteed.
Plan 204 Coastal Management Report Parts 2
Due to the lack of area specific data, issues identified for the two catchments are limited to general issues
Here are some limitations of information and results in this report:
• There is a limitation of resources available for both catchment as most available are from council sites and may restrict the variety of information presented in this report.
• The analysis for the information collected lack a professional input in terms of hydrological and topographical features.
• Further misrepresentation of the data may be present as some data may not be the latest information available.
• Also due to the time constraints and availability of resources the group has been unable to obtain first hand data about the actual sediments content and local community’s usage and relationship to both catchments.
• Lack of first-hand data would mean that the accuracy of the data is not guaranteed.
Plan 204 Coastal Management Report Parts 2
Due to the lack of area specific data, issues identified for the two catchments are limited to general issues
Existing Coastal Management Plan
The current planning scheme are currently stated as such that focus on the ecological restoration of Manukau’s major riparian corridor that runs between Totara Park and Puhinui Reserve. Its implementation over a number of years will be a model for other water courses in the city. Although outside the jurisdiction of the current management plan, it is noted that mouth of the Puhinui Creek is a designated Wildlife Refuge subject to the Wildlife Act 1953.
The main objective of the current management plan seems to be conservation of biodiversity, promotion of sustained ecology and keep the reserves free from different plant and animal pests. (May 2009) And the ongoing stream restoration plan supported by the Manukau City Council and implement by local environment aim to complete of a continuous link around the coast and along the primary streams to provide access to and protection of the coastal and riparian environment.
The current strategy seeks to establish a cross-city walkway and the majority of modification would be of restoration along the water edges in the catchment, in this respect the improvements are mostly cosmetic and although the modifications in the plans will affect the ecological balance and quality of the catchment area, without treating the problem at the source there can never be a total restoration of Pukaki and Puhinui Catchment.
Furthermore from what is said in the plans, there seem to be no restrictions on what can be developed and build in the areas surrounding the catchment and this can be problematic for both storm water management and protection of material loss on development sites.
Issues
Three common issues that exist in both Pukaki and Puhinui creek are lack of wildlife, the poor water quality, and the low water permeability of surrounding land sites.
Three common issues that exist in both Pukaki and Puhinui creek are lack of wildlife, the poor water quality, and the low water permeability of surrounding land sites.
Biodiversity
There seems to be a limited number of wildlife in both catchment areas, especially in the Pukaki creek area where the nearby airport put measures to control the attractiveness of nearby plant matters to decrease wildlife as stated in part 1 of this report. Although a wild life sanctuary was established in Wiroa Island due to its close approximation to the airport and the radar tower, it is both dangerous to the incoming and going air traffic but the emission from the radar may also affect the natural behaviour of bird and other wildlife in the area.
Furthermore there seem to be a lack of wildlife, especially of birds and other water creatures, this may be that the water quality in the area is in the condition that discourage or even limit the growth of wildlife in the catchment, the water quality in both catchment was so poor that in the water quality report in part 1 cautioned people for use the area for food gathering or recreation uses.
Water quality
Common to both catchments is the issue with poor water quality, both in terms or water clarity and potential harmful chemicals in water. The most likely cause of the poor water quality is storm wash-off, which in turn indicates that there is not sufficient vegetation cover at the water edges to act as a buffer to the potential storm water wash-offs and the sediments and other debris. The quality of water in both catchment have large amount of sediment and this severely limits the productivity of both catchment.
Land use
There seems to be two major land uses that has a significant impact on the drainage pattern of both catchments, in the Pukaki area there is a large number of warehouses and storage areas which creates large areas of impermeable surface, this if not managed properly, would allow large amount of wash-offs to enter the surrounding waterways. There seems to be no effective legislation to control the amount of storm water entering the catchment areas nor are there any limitations on how storm water should be treated and be released into the catchment areas.
There seems to be two major land uses that has a significant impact on the drainage pattern of both catchments, in the Pukaki area there is a large number of warehouses and storage areas which creates large areas of impermeable surface, this if not managed properly, would allow large amount of wash-offs to enter the surrounding waterways. There seems to be no effective legislation to control the amount of storm water entering the catchment areas nor are there any limitations on how storm water should be treated and be released into the catchment areas.
Overall
As we can see from the previous topic, in some ways all the issues are connected, as with the aim of integrated catchment management, these issues must been seen as a cohesive system instead of individual components. If viewed in this perspective, there is a continues relationship between land-use, water-quality and loss of biodiversity: improper land use, and lack of control on storm water runoff would increase the amount of sediment in the catchment and the harbour, which in turn creates a degraded habitat for local wildlife and would decrease the number of bird and waterborne creatures. All this would ultimate lead to the destruction of food cycle in the catchment areas as organism such as planktons in the bottom of the food chain start to die off, which would lead to food shortage right up to the top predators. The effect on human population is not include as currently it is the human activities that is degrading the catchment area, but it can also be said that because of the degradation of local wildlife habitat, the area is eventually going to be a hazard zone for people is nothing is done, even now, because the seawater in the catchment area and the Manukau harbour is so polluted, recreation activities is not recommended for these area as well as any seafood that area caught in the area.
Area specific
There are two important areas in the catchment that need to put under special consideration, first the airport in the Pukaki catchment and the Puhinui reserve in the Puhinui catchment.
There are two important areas in the catchment that need to put under special consideration, first the airport in the Pukaki catchment and the Puhinui reserve in the Puhinui catchment.
Airport
The airport in the Pukaki Catchment area has a significant impact on the area, not only because of its large areas of impermeable surface, which would affect the amount of chemical leeched in to the catchment due to the large number of airplanes and source of potential harmful chemicals. The establishment of the wildlife sanctuary on the Wiroa island which now serves as a regional important breeding ground for the migratory birds. Yet the close proximity to the airport and radar array means it is not a reasonably good habitat for wildlife to live, in some way the sanctuary seems to be a commercial venture that is established to prove that the airport is a environmentally friendly company.
The airport in the Pukaki Catchment area has a significant impact on the area, not only because of its large areas of impermeable surface, which would affect the amount of chemical leeched in to the catchment due to the large number of airplanes and source of potential harmful chemicals. The establishment of the wildlife sanctuary on the Wiroa island which now serves as a regional important breeding ground for the migratory birds. Yet the close proximity to the airport and radar array means it is not a reasonably good habitat for wildlife to live, in some way the sanctuary seems to be a commercial venture that is established to prove that the airport is a environmentally friendly company.
Reserve
The reserve in the Puhinui catchment is of regional significance because of its status as a major breeding ground for migratory birds, although the land set aside for the reserve is quite large, in reality the mangrove and wetland area is only a tiny strip of land along the edge of the reserve, this issue not only impact on the availability of nesting site for migratory birds, but also the visual amenity and utility value the reserve provides. Thus the main issue with reserve is the amount of wetland and mangrove proportional to the total reserve area. The lack or the destruction of the wildlife habitat would create an unbalanced ecology where lack of one species would cause dramatic increase in another, although this is not evident in the Puhinui area, but this is what potentially what can happen if the area is left unchecked.
Pukaki Creek
Topics Issues Likely Causes Short-term Solutions Long-term solutions
The reserve in the Puhinui catchment is of regional significance because of its status as a major breeding ground for migratory birds, although the land set aside for the reserve is quite large, in reality the mangrove and wetland area is only a tiny strip of land along the edge of the reserve, this issue not only impact on the availability of nesting site for migratory birds, but also the visual amenity and utility value the reserve provides. Thus the main issue with reserve is the amount of wetland and mangrove proportional to the total reserve area. The lack or the destruction of the wildlife habitat would create an unbalanced ecology where lack of one species would cause dramatic increase in another, although this is not evident in the Puhinui area, but this is what potentially what can happen if the area is left unchecked.
Pukaki Creek
Topics Issues Likely Causes Short-term Solutions Long-term solutions
Land use
• Impermeable surface increases the amount of storm water runoff in the area. From the satellite image we can see that there are a large number of impermeable surfaces in the Pukaki catchment area, there areas are mostly freight and carrier companies with large areas of warehouses and car parks. These impermeable surfaces if left uncontrolled would increase the amount of storm water wash-offs that goes into the catchment areas. For the short term solution, diversion is necessary; storm water plants are to be set up to process the water to a degree that can be safely discharged to catchment. The long term goal for the Pukaki Creek area, especially the light industrial area near the airport is to decrease its active permeability to 50% of the current level, and to achieve this, extensive modifications need to be done to these site, rain gardens and rainwater tank allow a longer storm water retention period than tarmac, and the intended results of modifications is to not only reduce storm water runoff, but also to increase the quality of water that is discharge into the catchment areas
• Competing interest between urban development and rural activities, especially productivity loss due to urban expansion The area which Pukaki creek is located in is currently mainly rural based with large section of land used for agriculture, this can soon be changed if the current Manukau city development rate continues, there will be competing interests and if urban expansion does occur in the Pukaki area, then not only the regions productivity would decrease, but There is no short term solution to urban development, court injunction may stop some but not all development and the only way to fully protection an area in the catchment is for the local government to pass through a bylaw. To be able to stop or at least limit urban development in a catchment is to make the local authority to pass a bylaw which limits or forbid urban development in the area. Yet the process may take months if not years, so although it is the most powerful solution it is very effective is something need immediate attention, thus perhaps a combination of court injunction and community protest combined with establishment of bylaws may be the best way to limit or stop potentially environmentally harmful development to occur.
Airport
Airport
• Bird life control and habitat restriction It is inevitable that in areas near airports there is going to be strict control about flying birds as the fear of bird strike accidents. The Wiroa island wildlife sanctuary would suffice for the time being, yet ultimately the birds should be move to eliminate bird strike possibilities and move the birds to a better habitat. The long-term solution is to move the entire wildlife sanctuary to Puhinui reserve, this would be a massive project which would take tears to complete, yet the end result is dramatically decreased bird strike probabilities as well as a better habitat for the original occupants of the wildlife sanctuary.
• Storm water treatment The large impermeable surface of the runway would mean that no matter how good the storm water system is in the airport, total retention of storm water cannot be achieved. Short term solution would be to utilise the existing storm water system to the maximum capacity, as well as short-term improvements in drainages systems. The long-term goal achieve total or near total storm water retention on the whole airport, the plan is to encircle the entire airport area with rain-gardens as a barrier to wash-offs while storage tanks gather the rainwater and treat it to a level to be discharged back to the harbour or the water can also be reused by the airport
Topics Issues Likely Causes Short-term Solutions Long-term solutions
Topics Issues Likely Causes Short-term Solutions Long-term solutions
Water quality
• Water sedimentation There is no precise information relating to where the sediments come from, but it is determined in part 1 of the report that the sediments found in catchment contains chemicals from farm wash-offs. There is no short-term solution to water sedimentation as it is the effect of other activities such as storm water runoff or siltation. To fully eliminate the effect of water sedimentation, the priority should be place on sediment retention from storm water runoffs, as well as chemicals in the waterways that can cause siltation. As the sedimentation process is dependent on other activities such as storm water runoff and chemical leeching, it is natural to assume that if those activities are controlled then water sedimentation would also decrease
• Water clarity Due to the high sedimentation of the catchment there is ongoing issue with water clarity for both Pukaki creek and the Manukau harbour, the poor water clarity not only affect the visual amenity of the catchment, but also affect the food availability for bird and marine life that prey by visual perception. Similar to water sedimentation, lack of water clarity is the result of another process and similar to water sedimentation the control of the process would also control water clarity Management of water clarity is similar to the management of water sedimentation, as long as the process which causes decreased water clarity, such as unrestrained storm water runoff and water sedimentation, can be controlled then water clarity can be controlled.
• Water pollution The pollutant level in the catchment and harbour area that seafood caught in these areas can be hazardous to human health, and the pollution can also affect local wildlife systems causing a constant decrease of the wildlife population in the Pukaki catchment area. The source of these pollutants must likely come from a combination of storm water runoff from the light industrial areas near the airport and agricultural wash-offs from nearby farms.
Data from the waste water report presented in part 1 of the report states that the water in the catchment and harbour areas contain a multitude of nitrogen oxides that normally used by the agricultural sector as fertilisers and pesticides, and because the lack of buffer zone along the banks of Pukaki creek during the event of rain these chemicals would carried in to the waterways and cause pollution. Short term solution to water pollution is to make the local authority to pass a bylaw that restrict or limits the amount and the type of different chemicals used in the vicinity of catchment area. To fully manage water pollution problem in the long term can be achieved by passing bylaws from the local authority which makes protection of vegetation situated alongside the water edge, as well as restrictions on what and how much certain chemicals can be used.
Puhinui Creek
Topics Issues Likely Causes Short-term Solutions Long-term Solutions
Land-use
• Urban environment storm water run-offs Puhinui area is have a larger urban area compared to Pukaki catchment, thus the content of storm water wash off is also different, because of the urban setting, the storm water runoff in the Puhinui area may not contain as much chemical as Pukaki but the variety of chemical may increase as a wider range of chemicals and substances is present in a urban setting. The drainage pipe we discovered at the edge of the Puhinui reserve is of great concern, as from what is evident from the photo, whatever that is coming out of that pipe is either not been treated or is not been treated properly. Short-term control measures need to be put into place, as a shorter goal in the range of 2 to 5 year years, the aim is to restrict and limit development along water’s edge in the catchment vicinity. Long term solution would include utilising Low Impact Urban Development Design (LIUDD) principles to new urban settlements in a way that allows higher storm water retention than average neighbourhoods with the introduction of rain gardens, rains tanks and flush mediums.
Reserve
• Lack of vegetation and proper public access to the area During our trip to the Puhinui reserve, the experience proved to highly unsatisfactory as there is no clear boundary between the public and private realm, there is the feeling that we are walking in other people’s backyards. Not only is the reserve not properly defined by any boundary, there is hardly any vegetation cover in the area, large areas are planted with grass while the wetland only occupies a narrow strip of land along the edge of the reserve. All this can be attributed to the lack of consideration for the environment and poor planning. The short term solution would be the clear definition of the reserve boundary and in cooperation with the local community The long term solution to lack of vegetation is essentially the repetition of the short –term solution, where the continued planting of trees would eventually make the entire reserve into a wetland environment, this would not only provide a larger area for storm water retention and purification but also the re-vegetated reserve would create a larger breeding habitat for local and migratory birds.
Biodiversity
• Lack of wildlife in the general vicinity of catchment The lack of wildlife can be seen as the result of constant environment degradation that the catchment is experiencing, poor water quality would mean lack of marine life which in turn would mean lack of birds that prey on them. Although the wetland in the reserve provide nesting sites for migratory birds, the reserve and urban areas is simply too close to make the reserve a proper breeding ground for birds and other wildlife. There seems no shortcut to restoring wildlife to an area, thus the only solution seem to be ongoing dedication to improve the environment in the catchment area. As seen in the previous topic, if the Puhinui reserve is fully re-vegetated, as well as other environment protection recommendations implement, there should be a marked improvement in the number and the variety of wildlife in the area with 5 years of full implementation.
Water quality
• Poor water quality, especially the amount of sedimentation and built-up of the pasture wash-offs in the water Similar to Pukaki creek, there is large amount sedimentation in the Puhinui catchment area, and this can be attributed the pastures that was established in the area, yet because of the urban development in the catchment area the pastures are slowly been taken up by neighbourhood blocks. The current problem with water quality can be seen as the result of many years of storm water runoff. Short term solution would be to use temporary impermeable materials to fence off water edges to retain potential storm water runoffs as well as mobile chemical treatment module that allow siltation to occur while water is retained so that the water can treated to a level that it can be safely discharged back in to the catchment. As I have said in the Pukaki Creek table, poor water quality is the result of storm water runoff and other activities that causes large amount of sediment to enter the waterways and pollute the marine habitat, thus if activities like erosion, storm water runoff and land loss can be controlled or even stopped, then the water quality of the catchment, both in its clarity, it productivity would likely to be restored.
Aims
Because of large amount of information and data concerned, we have decided to focus on one or two aspects of different issue topics; this would allow a better focus on different issues as well as the identification of solutions that would create maximum impact when implement.
Aims
Because of large amount of information and data concerned, we have decided to focus on one or two aspects of different issue topics; this would allow a better focus on different issues as well as the identification of solutions that would create maximum impact when implement.
Biodiversity
The aims concerning biodiversity for both catchment is the increase in number of wildlife in the areas, as stated in the part 1 of this report, both catchment serves as nesting sites for migratory bird, the aim is to improve the habitat quality of the catchment area as well as increase of available nesting ground. In specific numbers the proposed plan coastal management plan seeks to increase the number of bird nesting in the catchment area by 200% and the available nesting ground in the Puhinui reserve by 300% in a 10 years period.
The aims concerning biodiversity for both catchment is the increase in number of wildlife in the areas, as stated in the part 1 of this report, both catchment serves as nesting sites for migratory bird, the aim is to improve the habitat quality of the catchment area as well as increase of available nesting ground. In specific numbers the proposed plan coastal management plan seeks to increase the number of bird nesting in the catchment area by 200% and the available nesting ground in the Puhinui reserve by 300% in a 10 years period.
Not only bird life will be affected by the proposed plan, the local marine life and fish stock’s living conditions would also be improve as to increase their number, all the procedures is done with the overarching goal of establish a complete food chain system that can sustain itself, from the plankton to the top predators like the New Zealand Falcon.
Land-use
The major goal in the land-use area is to reduce the total amount of active permeable surfaces, which is the areas that is connected to storm water pipes and allow storm water to be discharged through these pipes, to be able to achieve this goal, facilities such as rain-gardens, rain-tanks and flush mediums need to be installed to control the amount of storm water that enter the catchments, because both areas is still developing, thus if LIUDD in implemented it is reasonable to assume a dramatic decrease in storm water runoffs as well as the number of chemicals that would enter the waterways. The aim thus is at least 50% decrease of storm water runoff in 10 years time and total elimination of storm water runoff in 20 years.
The major goal in the land-use area is to reduce the total amount of active permeable surfaces, which is the areas that is connected to storm water pipes and allow storm water to be discharged through these pipes, to be able to achieve this goal, facilities such as rain-gardens, rain-tanks and flush mediums need to be installed to control the amount of storm water that enter the catchments, because both areas is still developing, thus if LIUDD in implemented it is reasonable to assume a dramatic decrease in storm water runoffs as well as the number of chemicals that would enter the waterways. The aim thus is at least 50% decrease of storm water runoff in 10 years time and total elimination of storm water runoff in 20 years.
Water quality
Because water quality is affect by what is washed into the waterways, thus it is what is done to the source that would eventually affect it, by eliminating storm water runoff in the catchment, water quality, in terms of its clarity, sedimentation and pollution levels would likely to increase, and in this case the aim is to totally restore the ecological system in both catchments
Because water quality is affect by what is washed into the waterways, thus it is what is done to the source that would eventually affect it, by eliminating storm water runoff in the catchment, water quality, in terms of its clarity, sedimentation and pollution levels would likely to increase, and in this case the aim is to totally restore the ecological system in both catchments
Reserve
The reserve would play an important role in the improvement on the Puhinui waterways, the aim is to fully plant the reserve with native wetland plants, and in essence creating a super wetland that is going to be the region’s largest. This wetland would not only act as a filter for storm water, but also going to be largest natural habitat for local and migratory birds in the region.
The reserve would play an important role in the improvement on the Puhinui waterways, the aim is to fully plant the reserve with native wetland plants, and in essence creating a super wetland that is going to be the region’s largest. This wetland would not only act as a filter for storm water, but also going to be largest natural habitat for local and migratory birds in the region.
Airport
The management of airport would mainly focus on the restriction and limitation of storm water and chemicals to enter the Pukaki catchment, thus the aim for the airport is total retention and possibly total reuse of storm water on the airport site.
The management of airport would mainly focus on the restriction and limitation of storm water and chemicals to enter the Pukaki catchment, thus the aim for the airport is total retention and possibly total reuse of storm water on the airport site.
Solutions
Biodiversity
Under normal circumstances, once the overall environment quality in both catchment increases the biodiversity of each area would slowly be naturally restored. But because of the closeness of Wiroa island wildlife sanctuary to the airport and its radar array, we have decided to move the entire sanctuary to the Puhinui reserve once the reserve finished its replanting; this would not only create a regionally significant wildlife area but also provide a better habitat that was on Wiroa Island.
• Move the existing wildlife sanctuary to the reserve once the re-vegetation process is finished
Land-use
Passing of bylaws that restrict the usage of what and how much chemicals can be used in pastures, this would limit the amount of harmful chemicals that enter the catchment but also mitigate some of the effects of chemical pollution by restricting the potentially harmful chemicals to enter both catchments. Furthermore, restrictions on what building can be built in what area in what conditions must also be restricted follow LIUDD principle as well as introduction of rain-garden, rain-tanks and flush mediums to both new and existing suburbs, the aim is total retention of storm water which decreases neighbourhood demand on storm water drainage systems.
• Bylaws limiting the amount of chemical and the type of chemical used in farming activities
• New suburbs built following LIUDD design principles
• Introduction of storm water management measures such as rain-garden, rain-tanks and flush mediums which aim to total retention of storm water stops runoffs into the catchment areas
Under normal circumstances, once the overall environment quality in both catchment increases the biodiversity of each area would slowly be naturally restored. But because of the closeness of Wiroa island wildlife sanctuary to the airport and its radar array, we have decided to move the entire sanctuary to the Puhinui reserve once the reserve finished its replanting; this would not only create a regionally significant wildlife area but also provide a better habitat that was on Wiroa Island.
• Move the existing wildlife sanctuary to the reserve once the re-vegetation process is finished
Land-use
Passing of bylaws that restrict the usage of what and how much chemicals can be used in pastures, this would limit the amount of harmful chemicals that enter the catchment but also mitigate some of the effects of chemical pollution by restricting the potentially harmful chemicals to enter both catchments. Furthermore, restrictions on what building can be built in what area in what conditions must also be restricted follow LIUDD principle as well as introduction of rain-garden, rain-tanks and flush mediums to both new and existing suburbs, the aim is total retention of storm water which decreases neighbourhood demand on storm water drainage systems.
• Bylaws limiting the amount of chemical and the type of chemical used in farming activities
• New suburbs built following LIUDD design principles
• Introduction of storm water management measures such as rain-garden, rain-tanks and flush mediums which aim to total retention of storm water stops runoffs into the catchment areas
Water Quality
Similar to biodiversity, we believe that once storm water runoffs in both catchments are controlled then the water quality in both catchments would also improve. Thus no specific actions have been designated for water quality.
Similar to biodiversity, we believe that once storm water runoffs in both catchments are controlled then the water quality in both catchments would also improve. Thus no specific actions have been designated for water quality.
Reserve
The reserve is going to be re-vegetated with the combined effort from the local authority as well as the local community groups and catchment protection groups; the aim is to fully plant the entirety of the Puhinui reserve, creating a largest wetland park in the region, this wetland would act as a filter for any storm water leaks that may occur during different stages of urban development, and as a better and enlarged wildlife sanctuary which will replace the wildlife sanctuary on Wiroa island.
• Full re-vegetation of Puhinui reserve, this project is likely to last about 10 years
• Transfer of Wiroa wildlife sanctuary to Puhinui reserve, this will start during near the end of the re-vegetation process to allow a more stable and established habitat for the wildlife that will be moved.
The reserve is going to be re-vegetated with the combined effort from the local authority as well as the local community groups and catchment protection groups; the aim is to fully plant the entirety of the Puhinui reserve, creating a largest wetland park in the region, this wetland would act as a filter for any storm water leaks that may occur during different stages of urban development, and as a better and enlarged wildlife sanctuary which will replace the wildlife sanctuary on Wiroa island.
• Full re-vegetation of Puhinui reserve, this project is likely to last about 10 years
• Transfer of Wiroa wildlife sanctuary to Puhinui reserve, this will start during near the end of the re-vegetation process to allow a more stable and established habitat for the wildlife that will be moved.
Airport
In the case of the airport, the aim to for the total retention of storm water on the site, this is necessary not because the amount of wash-off that come from the airport site, but because the potential hazardous chemicals like rubber and high octane jet fuel to enter the waterways. Thus the runoff of the airport site must be controlled in a way that not only allows total retention, but also total treatment of the water. This can be done by combining the rain-garden and storm water drainage systems.
• The establishment of a storm water drainage system that combines with rain-gardens to create a network that aim to totally retain storm water on the airport site as well as total treatment of storm waters to a degree that can be safely discharge into the Pukaki catchment area.
In the case of the airport, the aim to for the total retention of storm water on the site, this is necessary not because the amount of wash-off that come from the airport site, but because the potential hazardous chemicals like rubber and high octane jet fuel to enter the waterways. Thus the runoff of the airport site must be controlled in a way that not only allows total retention, but also total treatment of the water. This can be done by combining the rain-garden and storm water drainage systems.
• The establishment of a storm water drainage system that combines with rain-gardens to create a network that aim to totally retain storm water on the airport site as well as total treatment of storm waters to a degree that can be safely discharge into the Pukaki catchment area.
Restraints
There are a number of restraints that may hinder or even stop the proposed activities from happening, first of all is politics: everything in this report may be the best solution to everyone’s problems but if the proposed plan is contrary to the local government’s ideology then there is a high possibility that the plan would be rejected. Secondly the time which is needed to fully implement a proposed activity would take several years at minimal, which can also force the project to stop. Thirdly is the cost, any of the proposed could cost up to millions, who is going to pay for these plans? District council is unlikely to have that much money to be simply used for environmental protection and improvement. And lastly the matter of man power, who is going to do the proposed activities? A contractor can take care of all the building related proposals but tree planting for reserve in a 10 year period is unlikely to have many volunteers. The above in essence is simply an indication of what can stop the proposed plan from happening, and may never happen in reality, but if it did, then terms need to be established to allow the implementation of proposed plan.
Priority
There are a number of restraints that may hinder or even stop the proposed activities from happening, first of all is politics: everything in this report may be the best solution to everyone’s problems but if the proposed plan is contrary to the local government’s ideology then there is a high possibility that the plan would be rejected. Secondly the time which is needed to fully implement a proposed activity would take several years at minimal, which can also force the project to stop. Thirdly is the cost, any of the proposed could cost up to millions, who is going to pay for these plans? District council is unlikely to have that much money to be simply used for environmental protection and improvement. And lastly the matter of man power, who is going to do the proposed activities? A contractor can take care of all the building related proposals but tree planting for reserve in a 10 year period is unlikely to have many volunteers. The above in essence is simply an indication of what can stop the proposed plan from happening, and may never happen in reality, but if it did, then terms need to be established to allow the implementation of proposed plan.
Priority
As a cohesive whole, the emphasis would be concentrated on source of the problem that is happening in both catchments, the priority is to decrease and eventually totally eliminate storm water runoff in both catchment, this is possible because both areas are still in development phase and new ideas such as LIUDD can still be incorporated into the district plan without too much disruption. In essence the restriction of storm water runoffs from entering the catchment areas is on the first and only priority in the proposed plan, as far as the data suggest, storm water runoff is the main cause of poor water quality and lack of biodiversity in the catchment areas.
Limitations
• Lack of profession knowledge concerning the effect of different chemicals as well as potential time and cost of proposed solutions.
• Lack of data concerning the community profile of the two catchment as well as further data about the actual implementation of current coastal management plan
• Accuracy cannot be guaranteed in this report as all data are experience in first-hand fashion, as all of the data is from other sources, caution should be applied.
• There is a shortage of available personal committed to the work of this report; this lack of human resource must be taken into consideration when reading this report as two people can only do so much.
• There is a lack of communication between group members which can result in a lack of cohesion in individual reports.
Limitations
• Lack of profession knowledge concerning the effect of different chemicals as well as potential time and cost of proposed solutions.
• Lack of data concerning the community profile of the two catchment as well as further data about the actual implementation of current coastal management plan
• Accuracy cannot be guaranteed in this report as all data are experience in first-hand fashion, as all of the data is from other sources, caution should be applied.
• There is a shortage of available personal committed to the work of this report; this lack of human resource must be taken into consideration when reading this report as two people can only do so much.
• There is a lack of communication between group members which can result in a lack of cohesion in individual reports.
10 Reference
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