As I flew into Whanganui last week, I was reminded of the continuous impact of soil erosion on the Whanganui River. The cumulative effect of the brown, soil-filled water floating and dispersing into the ocean, along the way settling on the river floor, trapped often at the narrowing of the rivermouth.
I saw a direct sign of this as we travelled the Whanganui River Rd towards Tawata last month to the memorial of Sir Archie Taiaroa. A glance towards the confluence of the Ohura River saw the brown water clearly impacting on the preceding flow.
This reminded me of an article in the Chronicle this year, when a Whanganui business reported the cost of keeping its riverside port-located business operating, spending more than $200,000 dredging. No doubt more has been spent dredging the port.
These experiences reminded me even more of the need to focus on causes rather than effects. Take the port, for example. It would be better channelling some of our efforts into working with the upper river community to improve their land practices than dealing with the end result of digging up the silt.
On many issues, as a country and a community, we do not think about cumulative effects enough. News of more liquor outlets seeking to set up in our community is a chance to focus on the cause and say, "No, we do not need more". Otherwise expect increased alcohol-related activity.
