Tauranga City councillors say placing a moratorium on the Welcome Bay Estuary is not the way to go.

This comes after a petition with 21 signatures was presented to council this week, requesting a temporary ban on all current plans to build infrastructure upon estuary environments.

Councillor Larry Baldock says although there's no denying there has been some degradation, a moratorium is not the answer.

'By working with the earthwork companies, we can reduce the sediment that goes into the harbour, but the rubbish that goes into the estuary is appalling.”

Councillor John Robson says there needs to be some accountability from the community.

'We've absolutely failed in our Kaitiaki role. We abuse the harbour but we'll spend millions rolling out the red carpet for a big commercial operation.”

He says the question for the community is 'Do you guys understand your role in protecting papatuanuku?”

All councillors bar one voted in favour of declining the petition.