Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Interim injunction granted against spraying of wetland

Updated at 3:07 pm on 10 February 2010

A High Court judge has stopped the aerial spraying of a wetland in West Auckland.

An interim injunction has been granted against to stop spraying of the Te Henga wetland near Bethells Beach that was due to begin on Wednesday.

The spraying of 23 hectares is intended to remove willows that are choking the rivers. It is funded by a grant from the Department of Conservation.

Resident Toby Muir says potential overspray could affect plans for organic gardening on his land.

Auckland Regional Council says it's considering the injunction and won't comment further.

A further court hearing is set down for Thursday.

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Injunction not expected to last

The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society says the residents have nothing to fear from the planned spraying and believes the injunction will not last long.

North Island conservation manager Mark Bellingham, who is a resident there, says there is no other choice.

Mr Bellingham says a trial of the spraying by a helicopter showed no evidence of any spray drift.

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