Summary 2007-08

 

Overview

· Northland Regional Council (NRC) monitors water quality at the most popular freshwater and coastal bathing sites in Northland through the Recreational Bathing Water Quality Programme.

· NRC also tests water quality at popular shellfish gathering sites in the region.

· NRC is responsible for the administration and monitoring of approximately 133 marine farm resource consents in Northland.

· NRC monitors six marinas in Northland to ensure compliance with their respective resource consents.

· Other NRC coastal monitoring programmes include the Estuarine Monitoring Programme; harbour water and sediment quality monitoring; beach profile monitoring and Tsunami hazard assessment modelling.

· NRC administers and provides funding for community CoastCare groups.

Performance Targets

Continue to implement and improve a prioritised State of the Environment (SOE) monitoring programme and monitor compliance with, and the effects of, the exercise of resource consents and Regional Plans by:

· Carrying out sampling and reporting on summer coastal and freshwater bathing water quality - ACHIEVED

· Carry out a prioritised estuary health monitoring programme - ACHIEVED

· Supporting and contributing to the development and implementation of coastal hazard management strategies, by the collection and provision of coastal hazard and processes information and advice to the communities of affected areas - ACHIEVED

· Promote and support community based ‘coast care' projects - ACHIEVED

· Inspecting significant coastal structures and works, marine farms and carrying out surveys of the coast where there is sand mining activity - ACHIEVED

Summary of Results 2007-08

· Water quality at 44 coastal bathing sites was monitored for 12 weeks over the summer. A total of 628 samples were taken over the season; 94% met the guidelines for recreational bathing water quality.

· NRC monitored water quality at 15 popular shellfish gathering sites in Northland. Only 1 site complied with water quality guidelines.

· Abatement notices were issued to 25 marine farms that were found to be significantly non-compliant with the conditions of their resource consent.

· Levels of bacteria at all six Northland marinas were found to be within specified limits. Levels of Copper at Tutukaka marina were found to exceed specified limits.

· Three harbours were surveyed through the Estuarine Monitoring Programme. Results indicate that biological communities have been affected by human activity.

· CoastCare groups planted a total of 13,000 spinifex and 6,000 pingao.