Environmental Art Project: Views of Motions Creek from Meola Bridge, November 11, 2007

Email Action Taken

I sent to Auckland Regional Council, Auckland City Council and Wai Care.
Mikel here

I like to draw your attention to the state of Motions Creek (my back door). From the harbour to the back of Auckland Zoo. I have via walking and kayaking the length of this creek discovered a huge amount of rubbish some of which can be seen on my blog page http://mikeldurel.blogspot.com/ . I have when the weather and the tide is right pull out and disposed off much rubbish. But its and on going battle as more seem to turn up daily.
Its a shame to see such a body of water to be left neglected as there are many elements of this area that is beautiful.
It is obvious that users and people like myself to make sure that this area remain pristine. But it is certainly the responsibility of ARC and Wai Care to make sure as well.

I have a reasonable knowledge about the history of this area and from old stories been told by some locals many disposed their rubbish over the bank during the time there was a rubbish dump on Meola Reef This is very evident especially along the banks of the Creek that runs along Sunny Brae Crescent. When at low tide I have discovered parts of old cars, possibly asbestos, building materials and so on.

Being an environmental artist I have some wonderful ideas that I could propose to you concerning the use of the safer building materials that I have discovered in the creek.
I would like to talk more about this.

But in the mean time LETS HAVE A CLEAN UP

Please do not hesitate in getting hold of me over this matter.

Auckland City Council Reply

Hi Mikel,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding Motions creek.

Usually I would log a maintenance request to remove the rubbish. Although after viewing your blog page and seeing the extent of the issue I thought it might pay to approach this matter differently.

I have decided it might be worth putting this issue forward to David Bowden our Parks Volunteer Coordinator at Arts, Community and Recreation Services. David helps in organising our park volunteer programmes.

We have a Creek and costal clean up programme that runs from February to April every year. This programme focuses on removing inorganic rubbish from creeks and coastal areas. I have asked David if he could consider Motions creek for the costal clean up programme in February.

I have forwarded your email and details on to David. I expect you shall hear from David shortly.

I hope this helps you with your appeal to clean up Motions creek. If you need any help or futher assistance with this concern please feel free to contact me via email, or by telephone on (09) 379 2021 extension 6455.

Fact File On Motions Creek

Wai-a-te-ao (Motions Creek)

Wai-a-te-ao is named after a person called Te Ao, and is now called Motion's Creek. It starts at Te Uru Karaka (Basque Park) and flows under the motorway, goes behind Motat here it's connected to Western Springs, and then comes out beside Meola Reef. Western Springs had clean, clear spring water, and eels lived in the river. After the Pākehā people came the area was part of a piece of land owned by a Scottish person called William Motion, which is why the creek is called Motion's Creek. As Auckland City grew they bought William Motion's flour mill and 120 acres including the creek because Auckland needed fresh water.

Inspired Words On Eco-Art

Eco-art inspires conscious actions.
Eco-art is responsive to environmental conditions.
Eco-art incorporates time and evolution.
Eco-art may be beautiful, but it is never simply decorative.
Eco-art may be self-expressive, but it is never exclusively self expressive.
Eco-art directs attention to here and now; it is never escapist.
Eco-art adds imagination, aesthetics, excitement, and commentary to the controlled experimentation and empirical objectivity of eco science.
Eco-art augments eco-science by expanding its public accessibility and developing its functional potential.

Council deliberately dumping 'human waste'

26 September 2007 - Stormwater

Mr Banks is accusing this Council of deliberately dumping 'human waste' on the beaches of Auckland by delaying storm water work.

This is simple scaremongering.

We are spending huge amounts on stormwater management (and consequently improving sewer overflows)

Auckland City is spending about $36 million on stormwater upgrade work.
It is spending an additional $9m on replacing the pipes that carry stormwater out to sea.
It is doing major works with Watercare on the problem catchment areas of Cox’s bay and Motions Creek where some of the old pipe systems are collapsing. The Motions Creek system alone will cost $50 million.

Note:
The false assertion seems to come from a mischievous misreading of reports.

The original timeframe for the stormwater upgrade was way out to 2035. This was unacceptable to me and the Council. Clean harbours are an absolute priority.
The Council decided to bring this forward. To bring it forward very, very fast would have been at a prohibitive cost, so the Council took a balanced and sensible approach and went for a midway option.
This means that the storm water work will continue at the same rate for the next 9 years. There is no delay.
Then in 2016, when stormwater technology may have improved, we can take a stocktake of progress, and make a decision about timing on much more up-to-date accurate information.

Incidentally, this fiscally and environmentally sensible approach was supported by C + R!

Environmental Art Project

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Views of Motions Creek from Meola Bridge, November 11, 2007

2 comments:

VerveEarth

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Email Action Taken

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Experimental Digital Photo College (EDPC) No 1

Fact File On Motions Creek

Wai-a-te-ao (Motions Creek)

Inspired Words On Eco-Art

Council deliberately dumping 'human waste'

26 September 2007 - Stormwater