Orakei Basin sluice gates project

Introduction | History | Ecology of Orakei Basin | Options considered | Proposed management approach | Technical reports

Proposed management approach

Following a detailed evaluation of the options, Auckland City Council believes that the basin should continue to be impounded with regular fortnightly flushing. This is based on the following key conclusions:

• Orakei Basin is a significant recreational water body, unique in the Auckland region
• a return to a tidal environment would result in a complete loss of water-based recreation
• the resulting tidal environment would not be considered a return to a natural environmental state due to the ongoing restriction from the rail embankment
• maximised flushing will require a significant increase in operation but will not result in any significant improvement of water quality or environmental values
• the current programme is practical because it coincides with peak tides and is frequent enough to avoid water quality problems in the basin.

Reviewed - March 2007.