Bob Harvey: Now the ranges won't degenerate into Hollywood Hills

Bob Harvey

The Waitakere Ranges are an indelible, blue image on the western horizon - a glorious backdrop to New Zealand's most populated, thriving metropolis. From a distance the ranges look densely wooded, and they are, but on a clear night look again. They are starting to pass for the Hollywood Hills.

Where a mere 30 years ago only the odd twinkle was visible, now a thousand lights shine brightly as development moves steadily up their eastern slopes. As you drive through the foothills, you will notice more and more housing - large, expensive and expansive.

The history of the Waitakere region began with greed and the need to fell and sell the great kauri forest. It was wanton, wholesale destruction for nearly 80 years. Little survived; a 1000-year-old forest gone with little thought to the consequences or tomorrow.

History could not repeat. The west has always been struggle country with its own special culture of ownership and right, yet despite this pioneering bloody-mindedness - the very thing that has made the west challenging and exciting - 80 per cent of all surveyed Westies wanted something permanently done to protect the unique ranges and foothills.

Thirteen years ago I stood on an environmental platform to protect and save the ranges and foothills from rampant development, aware that Karekare resident and MP for New Lynn, Jonathan Hunt, first proposed such a bill in 1972, which failed to spark.

Since then the debate has been ongoing and the issue our longest and most fraught. Tensions have understandably run high and undoubtedly for some there will be political consequences further down the track.

But at this moment in the Waitakere City Council and throughout the city - not just in the environmental movement but in our rural communities and coastal settlements - there is a feeling of relief and pleasure that the future of the environment is safer.

Like me, many councillors believed the only really effective way to ensure this magnificent area was kept as a green, lush and glorious legacy to future generations was legislation. Voting to send the Waitakere Ranges National Heritage Area Bill on its way to Parliament is historic and incredibly significant.

We have not been alone. For the past 30 years the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society has also battled, often monthly, against subdivision, tree-felling and indiscriminate and careless use of the landscape.

The society has often gone unacknowledged as it has fought valiantly to keep the green belt and the ranges as a taonga. Undoubtedly it will feel that its endeavours have been recognised with this move forward towards legislation.

The Government has not been slow to support conservation in the ranges, nor has the present Auckland Regional Council. Both have cheered on the council. It has been a cautious relationship but one that in the environmental realm has seen a workable, if edgy, partnership evolve.

The Opposition has made it clear that it will oppose the legislation, which is a pity. I would have thought this was a common good and best practice, rather than party politics. This project deserves better than that.

The bill deals with the future in its noblest form. It acknowledges with respect those who have lived in the ranges and foothills, those who live there now and those who will live there.

It certainly does not mean that those who live there cannot explore economic initiatives as long as they fit within the area, and it means local residents, and national and international visitors, can enjoy a scenic wonderland.

This decision comes more than a decade after we pioneered the eco-city. One of the visions behind that branding was to maintain and improve the natural environment so the needs of future generations could also be met and protected. It has been a long time coming and the consultation has been worthy. As tough as it has been, I am proud we have done it.

The development of the bill has been one of leadership, something New Zealand finds difficult to comprehend and understand. It has been crafted by excellent staff of the City of Waitakere, and the ownership of the decision and debate belongs here at the council.

As mayor I can see clearly a vision and direction that councillors have responded to. It is maybe a lesson that New Zealand can look up to in local government - open, honest leadership that looks to the future and holds true, with the community being inspired to think beyond today into the tomorrow of our children.

* Bob Harvey is the Mayor of Waitakere City.