Report points to need for action on Auckland environment

On average more than 50 new arrivals come to Auckland each day bringing 35 cars and needing 21 homes and this is putting stress on the city's environment, a new report says.

The State of the Region from Auckland Regional Council monitoring and research general manager Grant Barnes, said environmental management was not keeping pace with Auckland's growth, the New Zealand Herald reported today.

Auckland was lucky to have its harbours, the Waitakere and the Hunua ranges but one concern was ageing stormwater pipes, which left some city beaches too polluted for swimming, he said.

The report said in 2008 there were nearly 2500 stormwater overflows, most from the old combined stormwater and sewer network, sometimes flushing sewage into the sea.

The report followed decades of council monitoring of air, soil and water quality.

Coastal water was becoming cleaner in many places, swimming beaches were usually safe, and urban streams had been improved by better stormwater management and treatment.

Other issues were the increasing use of cars despite rising use of public transport, and bigger and more expensive houses putting pressure on city limits.

The rural economy was shrinking as farms were converted to lifestyle blocks and new housing had led to a reduction in productive soil.

Housing and roads were also putting more pressure on streams and stormwater pipes.