By ANNE BESTON
OMAHA - A company which has tried to please conservationists by gifting an area of Omaha wetland near its proposed multimillion-dollar development still faces a fight from its opponents.
Rodney councillor Elizabeth Foster says Manapouri Developments' gift of 63ha of kahikatea forest wetland at scenic Omaha Beach to the Department of Conservation is "good PR."
"I know [the development] is a fait accompli and it's hard to argue with it, but the harbour group I belong to does not believe the forest will be adequately protected."
The company will monitor water levels within the wetland and build a predator fence to keep out cattle and domestic pets.
Elizabeth Foster is angry the development got fast-track approval from the Rodney District Council last year through a zoning change to the district plan.
Her group, Whangateau Harbour Care, has lodged objections to wastewater consents the company is seeking from the Auckland Regional Council which may lead to a hearing in the Environment Court. "I think the company was disappointed we objected because they hoped to prevent it going to court."
Manapouri Developments signed the gift deed for the forest wetland at a ceremony at Omaha yesterday to mark World Wetlands Day.
Representatives of local iwi, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and DoC attended.
The wetland, which borders the western boundary of the proposed 600-home subdivision, is home to the fernbird, tui, wood pigeon and banded rail.
Waterfront sections will sell for close to $600,000.
The chairman of the mid-north branch of Forest and Bird, Omaha resident Jim McKinlay, says there is an acceptance that the subdivision will probably go ahead. It will double the number of houses at Omaha.
Wetlands gift labelled 'good PR'
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