Waitakere Ranges Parkland variation

Mayor cites inaccurate data.

Comments issued today by Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey were based on inaccurate data.

The mayor’s media release, relating to the ARC’s proposed variation to the Waitakere Ranges Management Plan, contained comments and opinions on the film industry’s future use of the Waitakere Ranges, which were based on incorrect figures.

The mayor’s release was issued in advance of today’s hearing at which a delegation from Waitakere City Council, that included the mayor, presented submissions. At the hearing the inaccuracies in the media release were acknowledged by Waitakere City Council representatives.

It has never been the ARC’s intention to place ‘severe restrictions’ on the film and television industry.

“Today is the first day of hearings. This is the beginning of a process where we are expecting to hear many points of view before making our decision,” says Cr Sandra Coney, Chair of the Parks and Heritage Sub-Committee that is hearing submissions on the proposal.

The mayor quoted inaccurate figures for Piha and Karekare. The correct figure for activities that occurred in 2006, which were of a scale that could be affected by the proposal, were:

· Piha – 5

· Karekare – 3

In both cases this number of activities does not exceed the proposed limits. The proposed limits relate only to five specific areas of ARC parkland (North Piha, the Glen Esk area of Piha, Pararaha Valley, Whatipu and Anawhata) and do not impact on the rest of the Waitakere Ranges which totals 17,000 hectares.

ENDS

· Hearings began today (Tuesday 7 August) and will conclude on Thursday 16 August.

· In his media release on 7 August, Mayor Harvey made the following incorrect statement:

“Mayor Harvey says that in 2006 there were 16 “Discretionary Activities” at Piha – the ARC proposal is to cap those at 10. Likewise, in 2006 there were 22 such activities at Karekare; the ARC proposal is to allow only 5.”