Mahurangi Action Plan discussion beyond 2009

As you may be aware, we recently held a community workshop on the future of the Mahurangi Action Plan.

Sedimentation for Dummies: In spite of some nicely-coloured diagrams, the science that underpins the Mahurangi Action Plan (see links below) is not for the faint-hearted and is much more accessible when explained by regional council scientist Dominic McCarthy! Sediment Source Mapping in Mahurangi Harbour Auckland Regional Council technical paper 321

We had a great turnout, with lots of engaged, lively discussion. The focus of that evening was on what the next phase of Mahurangi Action Plan might look like, including the ongoing role of the Auckland Regional Council and other parties.

A decision on the ongoing future of the Mahurangi Action Plan is currently being considered through the development of the long-term council community plans, with decisions likely to be finalised by the middle of next year.

An additional outcome of the meeting was a request from a number of community members to hold another workshop, with a focus on how community members could organise themselves to be part of a continued Mahurangi Action Plan project.

We have also had a request to present further information on the science behind the project.

This additional workshop, on 24 November, will:

• discuss how the community could work together to participate in the Mahurangi Action Plan into the future
• provide an update on the science behind the plan
• discuss how you would like to have the scientific information continued to be communicated to you.

Outcomes from this workshop will be reported back to councillors in late November to further inform the future of the Mahurangi Action Plan beyond 2009.

Light finger food will be provided. Please RSVP to Sarah McCrae at sarah.mccrae@arc.govt.nz or phone 0800 806 040 extn 8882. If you have any queries, please contact Kim Morresey at kim.morresey@arc.govt.nz or 0800 806 040 extn 8193.

We hope you are able to join us at this workshop, which is another key opportunity to input into the development of the future of the Mahurangi Action Plan.

Kim Morresey Mahurangi Action Plan project leader

Editor’s Note
The following links are provided by the Mahurangi Magazine but with the advice that the documents they refer to are indeed technical.

Auckland Regional Council technical papers

209

Mahurangi Estuary ecological monitoring programme

221A

Evidence for the physical effects of catchment sediment runoff preserved in estuarine sediments: Phase II (field study) A

221B

Evidence for the physical effects of catchment sediment runoff preserved in estuarine sediments: Phase II (field study) B

221C

Evidence for the physical effects of catchment sediment runoff preserved in estuarine sediments: Phase II (field study) C

222

Evidence for the physical effects of catchment sediment runoff preserved in estuarine sediments: Phase III (macrofaunal communities)

321

Sediment Source Mapping in Mahurangi Harbour