Manqrove menace
Mangroves that proliferate in the upper reaches of the Waimahia Landing and the
Pahurehure Inlet are not of the protected tropical variety.
They are self-sown rampant menaces that have been left to wreak havoc on our
waterways.
People who usually complain about the protection of mangroves don�t live in the
Areas affected by them.
In response to the complaints about mangrove removal in the Manukau Courier,
the mangroves at Wattle Downs and Waimahia Landing are not stopping erosion.
The erosion is caused more by the wind than the sea. When the tide recedes from
this part of the harbour there is no water, just thick mud and silt caused by
the mangroves. Small pockets of water around their roots are just enough for
mosquitoes to breed in before the next high tide.
We now have potentially dangerous mosquitoes living in the Auckland area and
breeding in the mangroves.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Foresty has spent in the vicinity of $50
million trying eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes in
the Huapai, Kaipara and Hobsonville areas. These can carry the Ross River
virus, known to be more acute than deng-ae fever.
Residents in Wattle Downs and Wattle Cove get eaten alive on a daily basis
after the sun goes down. Even burning citronella candles doesn�t stop the
mosquitoes.
MAE, the Auckland Regional Council and other councils refer to mangroves as
saltwater marshes. They never use the word mangroves, which gives people a
false view of what a saltmarsh is.
The only reason the mangroves exist is because the ARC doesn�t want to maintain
the foreshore in areas that show erosion.
Stonewalling the foreshore is the only way to stop further erosion, not letting
mangroves grow uncontrollably and creating a smelly haven for rats and
mosquitoes.
Mangroves stop people from accessing the water and children can�t play on
beaches that were once white and sandy.
The ARC wants us to stand back and watch our beautiful inlets be completely
covered by these ugly weeds. -
In Favona Rd there used to be great expansive view of Manukau Harbour. Now the
mangroves are more than five metres high and you cannot see water at all.
There is no room for mangroves in suburban areas. In some areas where they have
been cleared beautiful sandy areas are slowly returning.
The ARC and Papakura District Council will shortly clear rnangroves in the
Pahurehure number two inlet.
I applaud the people who have cut down mangroves in areas where they affect
access to the water. � Abridged
BERT HARTNETT
Wattle Downs