Building partnerships with Porirua City

Greater Wellington Regional Council strengthened its ties with Porirua City Council recently when councillors from both councils visited key Porirua sites of mutual interest including Whitireia Park and Battle Hill Farm Forest Park.

The tour followed a meeting of Greater Wellington's Parks, Forests and Utilities Committee, held at Porirua City Council last Thursday.

"The councillors from both councils are committed to making Porirua a great place to live, where its resources benefit the entire community. The tour gave councillors a chance to learn more about work programmes underway to sustainably manage these sites," said Greater Wellington's Parks, Forests and Utilities Committee Chairman Rex Kirton.

The councillors first toured Whitireia Park - the headland adjacent to Titahi Bay. "It's important that this iconic landmark area is protected for all to enjoy. We'll be working closely with local iwi Ngati Toa, the Department of Conservation and Porirua City Council to make sure the different groups with a stake in the park have a say on its future," said Cr Kirton.

This was followed by a visit to Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, including the Swampy Gully wetland area and Horikiri Stream, which is being restored.

The councillors also visited part of the proposed Puketiro windfarm, and saw the site where three potential wind turbines may be located. They also visited an 80 metre high anemometer mast (which measures wind speed).

Cr Kirton said the councillors made the most of the opportunity to learn more about the windfarm project. "They appreciated being able to talk to officers about technical details and see for themselves what the physical impact of the project is likely to be."