Plan for new town spells disaster for fairy tern, says DoC

The NZ fairy tern is critically endangered.

A developer's plan to ban cats and restrict dogs from a new coastal subdivision will not be enough to save an endangered bird living in the area, says a Department of Conservation report.

The report says the effect of up to 2000 new homes near Mangawhai Heads on the Northland coast could push the fairy tern - with a population under 50 - to extinction.

The report is an early salvo in what is shaping up as a major environmental battle, with local residents rallying opposition to what they say will be virtually a brand new town in the sparsely populated area between Pakiri Beach and Mangawhai Heads.

It is being developed by Kaipara subtribe Te Uri o Hau in partnership with Darby Partners.

The land involved is part of a 1600ha block near Te Arai Beach bought by Te Uri o Hau with a 2002 Treaty of Waitangi settlement worth $15.6 million.

The development plans include subdividing for between 1400 and 2000 homes, building a golf course and setting up a camp ground over 650ha.

Author and independent consultant John Dowding, who was commissioned by DoC to write the report, said environmental impacts of up to 8000 residents near the fairy tern's key breeding areas would be difficult to control.

"Should such impacts occur, it seems unlikely the situation could be retrieved," he said.

Fairy terns are now confined to breeding areas at Pakiri, Waipu, Mangawhai Heads and Papakanui Spit on the Kaipara Harbour.

Mr Dowding's assessment contradicts one commissioned by Te Uri o Hau and Darby Partners which said environmental effects could be managed.

Dr Ray Pierce, of Whangarei's Wildlands Consultants, said a ban on cats and restrictions on dogs would help mitigate the development's effects.

On banning cats, Dr Pierce's report says: "It is envisaged that the community will police this and a ranger will be appointed to undertake enforcement ... "

Mr Dowding agrees it is essential to ban cats but says policing this by the community would be "insufficient".

Dr Pierce's report also recommends "tight regulations" on dogs, with the "ranger and community to ensure total compliance", and that "dogs on a leash would not represent a threat to shorebirds at Te Arai if owners act responsibly".

But Mr Dowding said expecting total compliance from the community and its visitors was unrealistic and the claim there would be no risk to shorebirds if dogs were on a leash was debatable.

Darby Partners spokesman John Darby said the subtribe was angry the report was released when it was still having discussions with DoC.

"Te Uri o Hau are hopping mad and that's putting it politely," he said.

"This is only one factor in discussions revolving around protection for what is a very important habitat for a threatened species."

The subtribe was just as concerned as DoC about protecting the fairy tern.

"There is no-one living near there at the moment and the birds are down to 11 breeding pairs," he said.

DoC Auckland spokesman Warwick Murray said the report was public information.

He described the development proposal as "massive".

"This is a hugely important shorebird habitat not just for fairy tern but also dotterels at both the southern and northern end of the development.

"We are not suggesting [the tribe] shouldn't get some economic benefit from the land and we would like to work with them to find a way through."

The plan needs a variation to Rodney District Council's district plan to have any chance of going ahead.