Environmental snapshot released in summary report

The current state of the environment can be seen at a glance with the release of the Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest Environmental Science Annual Summary Report today.

The report, Our Environment at a Glance, draws on the outcomes of the council's environmental monitoring programmes for the 2013/14 year and includes results of air, soil and water quality monitoring carried out in the regions five whaitua or major catchment areas.

Regional Council Environment Committee Chair Barbara Donaldson says the report is designed to suit anyone with an interest in the regional environment.

"Sound science and knowledge of the environment is the basis of good decision-making when it comes to setting environmental policy and regulation. It is just as valuable when making personal choices about how we interact with our natural resources.

"The report is set out to show the quality of air, land and water at a regional level and also within the Wellington Harbour and Hutt Valley, Te Awarua-o-Porirua, Kāpiti Coast, Ruamāhanga, and Wairarapa Coast whaitua. It is relevant, graphically appealing and, in my opinion, an excellent read for anyone who is interested in the environment," Councillor Donaldson says.

Our Environment at a Glance, can be viewed online at http://www.gw.govt.nz/Annual-monitoring-reports/ or a copy can be sent to you by emailing your name and address to penny.fairbrother@gw.govt.nz. Copies are also available from the offices of the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Media Contact:

021 914 266 or comms@gw.govt.nz