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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER  header call 
Melody sales@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021454814
Nadia n.lewis@xtra.co.nz 021677978
Reporting: Julia news@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 0274641673
 Accounts: Richard info@mangawhaifocus.co.nz 021678358

 

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Letters to the Editor

 

Water supply key to growth
Read your articles about Mangawhai Central development being a welcomed sustainable community opportunity as well as the current bore water supply issue. Seems to me that these issues are at odds with each other. 

Firstly, urban development must have sufficient reliable potable water for human consumption as well as fire fighting related to public facilities like schools etc. 

Secondly, Mangawhai Central has an application in progress for consent to utilise the current balance of allocation within the Mangawhai West Aquifer for up to 35 years. There has been no public notification of this application. Only current registered bore well holders were notified and may submit comments by March 27. I am aware of this because the property which we occupy along with my daughter and son-in-law has a bore and has been notified.

I am a retired urban planner and I have read all of the reports associated with this resource consent application to the regional body. I am concerned that all of the remaining ground water allocation in the Mangawhai West Aquifer is to be allocated to this development; that there has been no public notification; that there is no condition of approval envisaged regarding monitoring of water quality (such as increased salinity resulting from overuse); that the reports are based on data reviewed in 1987; and that more urban development will result in much greater impervious surface within the aquifer and less recharging of groundwater; that as a community resource issuance of the subject consent will harm the community's longer term viability. 

Further community debate of the lack of progress regarding a public water supply facility by the District should be a priority. School closures are unacceptable and the likelihood of a Mangawhai high school necessary for a fast growing community will not be attainable without reliable water supply.

Rick Howse
Mangawhai

Dogs to stay on leash

The Kaipara District Council, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to spend some of our hard earned rate payments on revamping the regulations for dogs in the area. They are going to make the Estuary beach – the only one accessible to the elderly, infirm, disabled and families with young children who enjoy walking dogs on the beach – an on-leash area at all times of the year, not just during the day.

People who work during the day have difficulties walking their dogs off-lead at the Heads beach in winter in the dark, it can be pretty hairy getting down there, trust me, I have tried it, in semi-darkness, and frankly quite scary. At least at the Estuary you have people in houses nearby and ease of access. It feels safer.

I understand that there have been complaints about dog mess in the area especially over the summer. As a dog walker who goes daily to the Estuary, I have to agree there has been a problem, especially during peak season and have spent some time thinking about this and possible reason for it. There are some irresponsible owners; there are visitors who don't bag it because where would they put it? Take it back to their lodgings, campsite, car and carry it back to Auckland? Really? That may be what stops many from doing the right thing. 

Dog poo bins would make sense. Money from dog registrations could be utilised for this purpose. Ones similar to the Domain bins with small slots that are not suitable for household rubbish to be put in them would help solve most of this problem.

The Estuary is sparsely populated for a large part of the year, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon, so why not let off-lead dogs and their rate paying, registration paying owners continue to spend their time walking, talking, swimming and socialising there. 

If you want to find out more about the new regulations go online to the council site or, alternatively, pop into the offices and ask for some more information. Then have your say before April 10. 

One day it might be you who can't make it down the track to the far end of the Surf Beach to let your dog swim and play in Magical (or should that be, Marxist) Mangawhai.

Kim Bishop
Mangawhai

 
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