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The Auckland
City Council is seeking a Resource Consent to build
this large stormwater pipe on Sloanes beach. This
pipe will
• discharge untreated road runoff into a popular
swimming area,
• increase beach erosion, and
• have a major impact on the amenity values of the
beach.
Until the
sewer separation project is completed, sewage
overflow will continue to be discharged through the
existing outfall further down the coast.
A notice
calling for submissions on this proposal is posted
down at the beach.
Possible
discharge pollutants identified in the consent
application include garden chemicals, zinc, copper,
oil, grease, diesel, petrol, sediments, and general
litter such as plastic, paper, and cigarette butts.
The pipe is
planned to handle a much expanded catchment area,
and is being designed for flows of up to 3662 litres
per second. These flows are much larger than
currently occur.
An
alternative option is to expand the existing outfall
that already extends much further out to sea. This
alternative would mean no new outfall pipe on the
beach, no risk of sand scouring, and a much greater
distance between the polluting discharges and beach
swimming area. The council appears to have summarily
dismissed this option without giving full
consideration to the major impact a new structure
will have on the beach. Allowing this new pipe to
proceed would set a dangerous precedent for other
stormwater management projects.
This beach is a valuable community
asset. By making a submission, you can help preserve
it for future generations.
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