Auckland is surrounded by rich marine and freshwater environments Beds, banks, margins, flood plains and waters of rivers and natural lakes and wetlands, and groundwater systems together with their natural functioning and interconnections..
They provide:
- clean drinking water
- opportunities for recreation
- habitat for diverse species
- flood resilience and natural treatment of run-off
- economic development through tourism.
Water quality and quantity are both significant issues that will escalate as the population grows and the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent.
We must do things differently if we are to ensure wildlife, people, and rural and urban businesses have adequate clean water supplies.
In both urban and rural areas, water quality has declined and freshwater environments have been compromised. They are showing the stress of decades of pressure – which will continue to increase if we do not change what we do.
The reduction of water quality has also affected the marine environment. This has resulted in poor ecological and amenity With regards to the District Plan, natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to people's appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence and cultural and recreational attributes. outcomes and, in some areas, beaches where it is unsafe to swim due to wastewater overflows.
