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

 

 

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