In defence of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary.
- Editor
- Batcheler, C. L., & O’Connor, K. F.
- Publisher / Organisation
- Christchurch Estuary Association.
- Pages
- 149 pp.
- Summary
- Published in 2002 by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Christchurch Estuary Association (CEA), Charles Leslie Batcheler and Kevin Francis O’Connor, this document is a collection of revised submissions by members and associates of the CEA. The submissions were presented to the commission appointed by Environment Canterbury to consider resource consent applications by the Christchurch City Council to continue to discharge effluent from the Wastewater Treatment Plant at Bromley to the Avon-Heathcote Ihutai Estuary for a further 15 years. Together, they argued against continuing discharge and in favour of protecting the Ihutai Estuary. Formed in 1995, the constitutional objectives of the CEA were to act as a guardian and advocate for the Avon-Heathcote estuary, to promote protection and enhancement of the Ihutai catchment so that people and natural biota can enjoy its full benefits, and to eliminate adverse impacts of human activity on the estuary. According to the submissions presented, increasing loads of wastewater pumped into and out of Bromley from the growing city was detrimental to the estuary ecosystem, altering food chains, poisoning fish, and promoting the mass growth of nutrient tolerant weeds like sea lettuce. Referring to the 1991 RMA, they argued that preventing eutrophication was the first major step in safeguarding the life-supporting capacity and preserving the natural character of the estuary.