SafeSwim: an update and how you can have your say. Please read to the end!

Please share with your networks

Hi all,

You are probably all aware of the ramifications that the launch of the SafeSwim water quality forecasting.

At a minimum it has made us question the cleanliness of the water we are swimming in. Some of us are wondering about the future of swimming at Auckland beaches. For event organisers it's impacting their operations. For the viability of New Zealand's 'clean green' image and Auckland's attractiveness as a sports venue, there must be longer term risks.

Alton Jamieson, Simon Walter, Ian Gunthorpe and I went to council last week to meet the SwimSafe team and find out more. We have followed up and asked for data and have been doing more research. We're in the process of working out what next, and have lots of ideas to progress.

We'd like to update all Auckland ocean swimmers about this, and we're holding an open meeting:

Monday 26 March

7.30pm

Takapuna Boating Club, the Strand, Takapuna

We envisage this taking approximately an hour and a half, but you may want to stay for a drink and a chat afterwards. We will have an agenda, so that we have the right balance of information from us, and the chance to ask questions and have your say.

Have your say to Auckland Council

In the meantime, you may be aware that Auckland Council is consulting with the public on it's 10-year budget. Among other things it is looking at a targeted rate, so that our water quality issues can be addressed in a 10-year time frame (rather than 30 years). Our position is that 10 years is too long to wait, and work needs to start immediately. Short-term fixes could be done straight away, and funds need to be be redirected to this end.

Our group will be making a collective submission to council.

In the meantime, we encourage you to make your own submissions. The more vocal we are about our beaches and ocean, the more council will have to take note. You can access the form here:

https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say/topics-you-can-have-your-say-on/ak-have-your-say/Pages/cleaning-harbours-beaches-streams-paying.aspx

This is the question you will see about water quality. However, you may want to comment on other topics too.

Apologies for the length of this email, but there's a lot to convey.

We hope you can make it on Monday. We will be launching other initiatives and communications channels, so stay posted.

Please tell your swimming friends and associates.

Alton, Simon, Ian and Jo.