Super Mayor Rivals Unite to Save Ranges

'Super' city mayoral rivals Len Brown and John Banks united against the Government this weekend to save Waitakere Ranges. Mayoral hopefuls Len Brown and John Banks both signed a Waitakere Ranges Protection Society petition calling for the Super City legislation to ensure Ranges protection is maintained at its current level.

The petition secured hundreds of signatures, including the mayors', at the annual EcoDay held in Waitakere City on Sunday 28 February by the EcoMatters Environment Trust. The petition asks MPs to retain the legal requirement that the new Auckland Council holds the Ranges in perpetuity as a scenic park and memorial to the first 100 years of Auckland City. And to require future planning documents and policies, including the proposed Spatial Plan for the 'super' city, to recognise and respect the protection given to the Ranges by the Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Act 2008.

The Waitakere Ranges Protection Society is concerned that detail in the clauses of the 3rd Bill on Auckland's governance pave the way for the Ranges to be made a National Park, with more tourist pressure and less focussed conservation, and weaken the protection given to the foothills in the Heritage Area Act. The Society worked for over 30 years to achieve permanent protection for the whole of the Ranges, including their foothills, and the legislation passed despite opposition from the National and the Act parties, who are now shaping the 'super' City.

The Society encourages members of the public who are concerned about these changes to email their nearest National Party MP.

www.waitakereranges.org.nz

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