Immediate action is needed regarding a large shingle bank in the Waikanae River which threatens to spill into an environmentally important scientific reserve, Waikanae Estuary Whitebaiters Network member Chris Turver claims.
He said it was the largest shingle build-up "ever seen" and it threatened to inundate the lower Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve, especially with more frequent floods predicted.
"This huge shingle bank sits in the coastal marine area with its height almost level in places with the river banks which, in itself, raises the prospect of urban flooding issues when rain dumps try to force their way downstream.
"We've already seen a huge increase in mud smothering more than half the estuary and if the shingle breaks through as well that will be the end of Waikanae estuary as we know it."
He believed Greater Wellington Regional Council was prevented by lack of a resource consent from reducing the gravel build up especially as the Department of Conservation "which opposes activities which impact on the ecology of the waterway in its area of responsibility".
