Download Letter of support from Auckland Regional Council

Memo
30 June 2017
EIF Coordinator – Auckland Regional Council
To:
cc:
From:
Matt Baber and Karen Denyer
Subject:
Letter of Support for Purewa Restoration Group
We wish to support the Purewa Restoration Group in their application for an Environmental
Initiatives Fund grant.
The Purewa Restoration group intends on continuing ecological restoration efforts within
Selwyn Bush (ca 6 ha) is scheduled as a Category B1 Site of Ecological Significance (C1309) in the Auckland City Council District Plan – Isthmus section (operative 1999)
The bush is one of several remnant natural areas that consist of indigenous habitats and
associated flora and fauna. Such areas have become so depleted and scarce on the
isthmus that most remaining remnants require protection/scheduling, even if currently
degraded in quality. Significance, in areas depleted in natural areas can relate to ecological
and visual aspects, including connectivity with or buffering of other natural areas, habitat
diversity, and the rarity and quality of the natural area and associated flora and fauna.
Selwyn Bush contains numerous weeds, but also includes contiguous areas of
regenerating native bush, several first order streams, and the Purewa stream. It also
supports native species, including tui, grey warbler, and fantail, and is likely to harbour
several threatened species, including kereru, ornate skink (which is confirmed at nearby St
John’s Bush), Auckland green gecko, and longfin eel.
The significance of the bush is also attributed to its connectivity with Kepa Forest (a
Category A, site of ecological significance of ca 13.6 ha) and the Purewa stream and the
Purewa Creek/Orakei Basin complex. The Orakei Basin is classed as a Coastal Protection
Area 2 (CPA 51b; ARC 2000), and as an area of significant conservation value (ASCV 63)
by the Department of Conservation. The site includes some of the tallest mangrove forest in
the Tamaki Ecological District as well as intertidal areas, and threatened species such as
the red-billed gull, and white-fronted tern. Taken together, these areas constitute one of the
most important and diverse ecosystem complexes on the Auckland isthmus
Given above we consider ecological restoration of Selwyn Bush and the associated Purewa
stream to be of great benefit to the ecological integrity of the area. As discussed in the
application, these efforts will also have important social, cultural, and environmental
benefits for the local community and beyond. In particular, there is huge scope for
environmental education given the areas direct association and proximity to Selwyn
College, and the association with REAF (Refugee and Family Project) students.
While being scheduled as a Site of Ecological Significance the land is not an Auckland City Council
reserve and therefore outside our direct management role. However, because it is a scheduled site
it is a priority area for us to work constructively with the landowner and community groups to
protect and enhance it. As such, we will provide ecological expertise to assist the Purewa
Restoration Group with their restoration endeavours.
Please let us know if you have any further questions,
Sincerely,
Matt Baber and Karen Denyer
Matt Baber, Ph.D.
Senior Environmental Policy Analyst
(ecologist)
City Planning
Auckland City Council
DDI 09 354 8751
Karen Denyer
Senior Environmental Policy Analyst
(ecologist)
City Planning
Auckland City Council
DDI 09 307 7442
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