The battle to protect land surrounding the Okura Estuary from urbanisation has been a thirty-year struggle by successive councils and community groups. Two exhaustive Environment Court hearings have seen the requests of developers rejected. Just last year an almost unanimous vote by Auckland Councillors also rejected the latest developer’s urbanisation plan. The developer, however, appealed this decision, so Long Bay – Okura Great Park Society are again fighting through another Environment Court action alongside Auckland Council (defending their decision) and Forest & Bird to protect this area once again.
Wilderness space is a precious commodity for our city dwellers and wildlife. The Okura Estuary, which is part of a marine reserve, has the Okura Bush on its northern border and Long Bay Regional Park on its southern border. This combination so close to a major city is unique locally and nationally. The stunning marine reserve is filled with huge schools of fish and large flocks of wading birds, including some of New Zealand’s most endangered species. The coastal native forest is filling with wildlife thanks to the efforts of a strong local group, Friends of Okura Bush, and offers a fabulous bush experience with an expansive rural coastal landscapes used by thousands of Aucklanders.
We are working once again to protect this area for future generations and we need your financial support to win once again for Auckland another ‘stay of execution’ on this last coastal wilderness.
Pete Townend
Long Bay – Okura Great Park Society needs thousands of dollars to help fight this battle.
Cheques can be posted to:
PO Box 35-348, Browns Bay, Auckland
Or make a direct bank payment to:
Long Bay – Okura Great Park Society
ASB account: 12-3053-0467134-00
Donations can also be made via PayPal and Givealittle: http://longbaypark.org.nz/
Donations are tax-deductible. Anyone wanting a receipt for tax purposes please email info@longbaypark.org.nz with name, address and amount donated.
Forest & Bird North Shore Branch 