City wildlife sanctuary a step closer

Photo / Herald graphic

Plans for a large wildlife sanctuary west of the Auckland Harbour Bridge have been aided by the offer of 50ha of bush for a study on excluding predators.

The land is part of Defence's Kauri Point naval armaments depot and North Shore City's Council's adjacent Kauri Pt Domain.

Uruamo Ecological Society chairman Mel Galbraith said the offer opened the way for a feasibility study on having a 3km fence around the 50ha to 60ha area.

The fence could use some of the depot's security wall and would cost $1.5 million.

But Dr Galbraith said the sanctuary could bring back varieties such as bellbird, weka, fernbird, kakariki and tomtit to the area.

"The habitat is there but predator control is the key for this to happen."

The habitat had been improved by planting of native trees and pest and weed control by the Navy, the city council and society members.

The proposed sanctuary area is part of the Waitemata Coastal Sanctuary Project which includes all the coastal public reserves from Soldiers Bay to Chelsea Bay.

It includes the armaments depot, domain, the new Chelsea Estate Heritage Park, Centennial Kauri Park, Chatswood Reserve.

"This whole area of more than 250ha is bigger than Tiritiri Matangi Island Sanctuary," said Dr Galbraith.

"The significance of this large area cannot be underestimated - forming a wildlife corridor linking the Waitakere Ranges with other sanctuaries such as Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Dr Galbraith said 51 species of native and exotic birds visited the area, known as the Uruamo Headland.

Armament depot manager Ken Rosell said Defence supported the project. It would be in the buffer zone between depot operations and housing.

But Defence Minister and North Shore MP Wayne Mapp said moving the depot could be looked at as part of Defence Review 09.

But in the current financial climate it would be very difficult."