NEWS RELEASE – EMBARGOED TO 5pm Thursday 31 July 2008

Marine Reserve assent applauded by Council

Today’s news that the Taputeranga Marine Reserve has received the Governor-General’s assent – and is only weeks from reality – has been welcomed by the Wellington City Council.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast described today’s completion of the last legal hurdle before the Marine Reserve can be officially opened as “fantastic news for Wellington – both from an environmental and tourism point of view”.

“And it’s a tribute to the perseverance – over more than a decade – of a group of passionate Wellingtonians who have gradually convinced the greater community that a marine reserve is a good thing for the city, region and country.”

Cr Celia Wade-Brown, the Council’s Environment Portfolio Leader, also paid tribute to Wellington Forest & Bird and the South Coast Marine Reserve Coalition members who have put “years and years” of effort into the research and promotion of the reserve. “I believe the Reserve enjoys cross-party support, as well as widespread long standing support from the Wellington community.

“The Reserve will connect tourism, educational and recreation realms, providing ample water-based opportunities for locals and visitors alike. It will add to the already significant nature/eco-tourism resource thriving in the Wellington region,” says Cr Wade-Brown.

“This is Wellington’s opportunity to address global issues of overfishing and ocean pollution.”

Cr Wade-Brown adds that the City Council's investment in the Moa Point and Karori West sewage treatment plants – which opened 10 years ago - was critical to the Marine Reserve becoming reality. “A decade ago much of the South Coast was polluted and blighted. Now it is recovering – and it’s time for the area to really flourish.”

ENDS

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