Bill to protect Waitakeres scrapes over first hurdle

A bill which aims to protect 28,000ha of the Waitakere Ranges has been passed for further scrutiny and public comment after its first reading in Parliament yesterday.

The Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill passed by 61-60 with voting support from Labour, the Greens and the Maori Party.

It was referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee.

The measure's sponsor, Waitakere MP Lynne Pillay, said it was jointly promoted by the Waitakere City Council, Auckland Regional Council and Rodney District Council.

She said the natural beauty of the "iconic" ranges was threatened by urban sprawl and the bill promoted an appropriate style of development and economic activity.

But National Party list MP Paula Bennett, who is based in Waitakere, said she did not support the bill as she believed the area would be better protected if its 17,000ha, which was a regional park, became a national park.

"This is a far better option than the woolly Waitakere Ranges Heritage Area Bill that gives no certainty of environmental benefit," she said.

Ms Bennett said the surrounding private land in the heritage area would be cared for by the Resource Management Act.

Auckland Regional Council parks chairman Sandra Coney said national park status was investigated but the heritage area was the best option.

"As the city gets bigger the ranges need more layers of protection to ensure they stay a natural wilderness area as much as possible."

Private land on the boundaries was included, she said, since what happened there would have an impact on the park.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey said the bill did not replace the Resource Management Act nor replace or undo the respective councils' district plans. So it would not curb property rights.

"If a legitimate business is being run from the property today, it can continue to be run in the future."