Anti Pollution and Erosion Council Letter 1979

A.P.E.C.
(ANTI POLLUTION & EROSION COUNCIL) INC.

8 Grange Rd N.,
HAUMOANA

3rd July, 1979

Mr. F. Crist,
Secretary,
Hastings Rotary,
P.O Box 752,
HASTINGS.

Dear Sir or Madam,

To further the knowledge of the peoples of the twin cities, on the ramifications of the proposed new Hastings City Sewer Pipeline into the Ocean, which will be the longest pipe in New Zealand, we propose to present Three very prominent Speakers, at The Assembly Hall, Hastings, on the night of Wednesday the 8th of August 1979, at 7.30 p.m.

The Speakers are:  Dr. Gwen Struik, of Nelson, one of the foremost authorities in New Zealand on scientific aspects of coastal pollution problems and the conservation of biological resources along our coastline, Dr. Edwin Slack of Wellington, who is a Reader in Applied Fisheries and Director of Studies in Environmental Biology, and Mr. Wade Doak of North Auckland, who is a Marine life researcher and underwater photographer.

This project will of course cost a fair amount of monies.  We would therefore be very appreciative of your assistance if possible in helping finance the Air Fares to bring these notables to Hawke’s Bay.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,
Meg Pickett
Meg Pickett,
Hon. Sec.

THE ANTI POLLUTION & EROSION COUNCIL (INCORPORATED)

At the Inaugural Meeting of APEC (Anti Pollution & Erosion Council) a Committee was elected, representative of the Heretaunga Plains, to combat sea pollution and to cause the responsible bodies to take measures to save land and properties from sea and river erosion.

THE AIMS AND OBJECTS OF APEC

1.   To stop the discharge of raw sewage, trade wastes and Freezing works effluent into Hawke Bay by Hastings City, Napier City, Wairoa Township and any industries which also discharge trade wastes.
2.   To stop the pollution of our shellfish beds.
3.   To stop the pollution of our beaches, thereby maintaining areas for swimming, surfing and fishing.
4.   To make sure that Camping areas are maintained on the Coast and are not polluted by the sea.
5.   To see that Estuarine areas are maintained as breeding grounds for fish, and for bird life.
6.   To safeguard our Gannet Colony from the effects of pollution.

The new Hastings Sewer Scheme proposes to remove some of the solids but does not incorporate any plan for treatment of sewage.  Comminution (reducing to small particles) is not treatment and used on its own simply causes a greater B.O.D. (biological oxygen demand).  The Act definitely states that nobody can discharge raw sewage into the sea at any point.

An endeavour to reclassify the waters of H.B. as a PEOPLE THING – we must extend our swimming beaches rather than curtail them as our population increases.

EROSION OF THE COAST

This appears to be taking place to a lesser or greater extent round the whole coast of New Zealand.

It would appear that any protective works must be undertaken by groups other than Government, in their own particular areas.

Investigation into the removal of shingle for Commercial purposes and their effect on the instability of the beach areas.

Investigations into the dying off of kelp beds, due to POLLUTION and their effect on wave action on the beaches – West Germany, South Africa and New Plymouth, N.Z. have taken steps by placing Tetrapods or similar on their coastline.

POLLUTERS:-  People who have NO CONSIDERATION FOR OTHER PEOPLE and THEIR ENVIRONMENT.