In his cavalier attitude towards the Regional Council with regards to the dredging of the Kopurererua stream, councilor Faulkner seems to have overlooked the fact that the silting of this stream is an indication of how much silt is flowing into and deposited in the Waikareao Estuary.
When they realigned the stream a few years ago it was then again suggested to make a large lake through which the stream would run to catch the silt coming from upstream.This would at the same time have enhanced the splendid work the Rotary Clubs are doing in their creation of a native area in that valley. It would have been a win-win-win situation:
• a beautiful pond for water- and wading birds
• no need to dredge the lower Kopurererua stream
• less silt in the estuary with as a consequence less proliferation of the mangroves there.
This lake still can be created, probably for the same cost as the intended dredging of the stream in a built up area.
Hans Zuur, Avenues.