A protest on Monday 20th August at the site of the Wainui Road stormwater project made the point that unfiltered water was being discharged directly into the harbour. Placards said, “Filter Before Discharge”, “Dirty Water Shame” and “This Discharge Is Not Okay”.
The protest was organised by Waikato Regional Councillor, Fred Lichwark, whose own council issued the stormwater discharge consent. Mr Lichtwark is calling the project a ‘stormwater downgrade’ and is asking for support from Whaingaroa people. He says the approval by WRC was given with no regard for water quality that is discharging onto shellfish beds that people eat.
Whaingaroa Harbour Care said, “It’s not okay to keep dumping untreated road runoff and urban stormwater directly into our harbour, especially next to shellfish beds.” They added if you think this shouldn’t happen, then contact the Councils directly and let them know your views:
Mayor Allan Sanson
Waikato District Council
Phone : 07 824 5847
Email : mayor@waidc.govt.nz
Chairman Alan Livingston
Waikato Regional Council
Phone: 027 572 0060
Email: alan.livingston@waikatoregion.govt.nz