Manukau Harbour Port

Saturday July 2

I have been listening closely to the media talk about the Future of Ports Of Auckland. No one should underestimate the huge significance to all Aucklanders this discussion and the potential resulting actions carry.

Shaking my head at some of the comments I have heard in the media, particularly about West Coast options, I have gone directly to the report, well report’s — as there are more than one. Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty cost to everybody of the study let alone future actions. I understand Council needs to carry out due diligence, but this has to be balanced with fiscal responsibility.

The report does rate the West Coast options as worthy of more investigation and it does rank the Manukau Harbour option highly (at least amongst the West Coast options). The report recognises the extensive environmental management needed to make a Manukau Harbour option work (constant dredging of the bar and inner harbour). The report mentions that amongst people with first-hand knowledge of the Manukau there are grave misgivings as to it being able to host a sizeable port.

This is an understatement, commercial and recreational fishermen, larger coastal vessel captains and many other members of the public with first-hand knowledge of this harbour LOL at the thought of container ships and other vessels of similar size navigating and manoeuvering the Manukau Harbour within its restrictive confines.

Auckland Councillors must step up to their roles as leaders and make commonsense decisions on behalf of their constituents to ensure money isn’t wasted on the academic debate of misguided options. The Manukau coast community who understand the folly of a Manukau Harbour Port option are the very people who will pay dearly via their rates only to be told it’s a No-Go — or spare the thought —we actually start dredging.

I will firmly drive a stake in the ground now, the Manukau Harbour Port option will never be more than an Option. Any money spent on more intensive review and specifications will be wasted.