Promoting a more co-ordinated and co-operative approach to sustainably managing the Mangawhai Harbour and protecting the future of Mangawhai.
This is the goal of the Sustainable Mangawhai Study being undertaken by Mangawhai Matters Society Inc. The first phase of the study has now been completed and can be seen on the Society’s website www.mangawhaimatters.com .
Over coming weeks and months, the Society will be publishing information from the study. One of the main contributors to the study to date, Dr Phil McDermott, says of the documents produced to date:
“There is a treasure trove of important and fascinating detail in the independent report and associated studies that have been completed.”
He says that the aim of the Sustainable Management Project is to assess the physical risks to the integrity of the harbour and distal spit and the consequences for the environment and the community of any damage to them.
“The objective is to provide a comprehensive information base so that the community and agencies responsible can co-operate in the preparation and implementation of harbour management guidelines.” he says.
“The harbour and its protective spit support biodiversity, recreation, economic activity and cultural and community well-being. When considering how we might best manage the harbour, all the services it provides need to be considered.”
Project team member Ian Margan says the harbour is the heart of the Mangawhai community in so many ways.
“It underpins the reason for the growth of our town, the well-being of its residents and businesses, and its appeal to visitors. Our Harbour also supports significant biodiversity including regionally and nationally important seabird and marine species” says Ian.
However, the many and varied organisations managing and/or advocating for a better harbour environment often act without reference to the other well-meaning groups, he says.
“While all seemingly want to do the right thing, they rarely act in concert. All too often the collateral damage from one group’s actions far outweighs the intended good.”
“Our ultimate goal is to develop a broad science-based reference work that all organisations can refer to. This will promote a much more coordinated and cooperative approach to sustainably managing our Harbour, says Ian, who has praised those in the community who have to date generously donated to the study’s costs.
The report of Stage 1 of the project summarises in-depth studies of the physical processes affecting the harbour and the significance to the community.
It also considers the implications of a warming climate and rising sea levels and presents some options for mitigating the threats that they may pose.
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