Central government needs to resource local councils to protect our waterways, Green Party Water spokesperson Marama Davidson said today, following reports that corporate oil dumping into Otuwairoa stream in Papakura is killing eels.
“Eels are a tāonga and a sign of the health of our Creeks. It hurts to see our waterways being dumped in like this.
“This disrespectful and deliberate dumping shows why we need to be holding corporate polluters to account.
“We also need to make sure local water infrastructure is properly funded to protect urban waterways from storm water runoff. Anything that goes onto the road and in our drains can end up in our creeks and harbours.
“Central government needs step up and resource local governments to be able to do a better job to protect our waterways from this paru.
“I encourage people to contact their local Council if you come across anything like this happening in your community. I came across sludge dumps in our local creek recently and had to get council to have a look. We need vigilance on the ground as well as stronger protection systems.”
