Keeping the waterways clean – an update from Auckland Council
By Bianca Lilley, Healthy Waters Specialist
The Industrial and Trade Activity Proactive Programme (ITAPP) kicked off mid 2023 with the goal of preventing pollution of our waterways and educating businesses in the Puhinui catchment.
A total of 393 Wiri businesses were desktop reviewed within the Puhinui catchment area to confirm risk level, check for consents, and review previous compliance history. Of this number, 200 businesses were visited in person by the regulatory compliance staff, where it was determined that baseline compliance is sitting at just under 10%.
After providing these businesses with recommendations on how to reach stormwater compliance on their site, 90 have carried out changes and are now compliant.
The most common observation across businesses is the lack of spill kits and spill response plans. These are required for all industrial and trade activity sites and are an important part in managing environmentally hazardous substances on site.
All businesses within the Wiri Business Improvement District have now been visited. Auckland Council are in the process of writing the business case and planning for year two of the programme, which would involve moving into the Manukau Central area of the catchment.
Wiri Business is proud to be launching Business Boost – which allows Wiri businesses to claim up to $1000 + GST on a range of areas to improve their businesses. Training and environmental protection (skill kits, etc) are one of the categories where we offer funding. Contact info@wiribiz.org.nz for further information.