Latest news with #Goldsworthy
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Warning hoiho still at risk
The Penguin Rescue sanctuary at Kātiki Point endeavours to save the embattled hoiho from extinction. PHOTO: JULES CHIN While Moeraki's yellow-eyed penguins (hoiho) are enjoying their annual "holiday" at sea, conservationists warn their battle for survival is far from over. Penguin Rescue manager Rosalie Goldsworthy said the critically endangered birds, at present fledging at sea for up to six months, faced a grim return home. The Kātiki Point sanctuary continues its efforts to protect the birds, but mounting environmental pressures, including disease and pollution, threaten progress. One looming danger is highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has increasingly impacted seabird populations. Ms Goldsworthy noted some recent positive signs, such as improved feeding conditions and movement between colonies. However, she warned these gains were overshadowed by escalating ocean warming and local pollution. A recent Environmental Defence Society report identified the Otago coast, including Moeraki, as experiencing some of the most extreme marine heat. The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust backed the report, which links environmental degradation directly to rising hoiho mortality. Among local concerns is the Moeraki wastewater treatment plant, established by the Waitaki District Council in 2023. Ms Goldsworthy said treated water from the plant had turned nearby beaches green and might be harming marine life, including hoiho and the world's rarest sea lion species. "There's a civic responsibility to care for this environment. "And charging contaminated water into the ocean, into the habitat of really endangered species, it's not my idea of taking responsibility," she said. The Otago Regional Council (ORC) audited the plant in 2023 and found significant non-compliance with nitrogen limits. Council staff also acknowledged irrigation failures, which may have led to over-irrigation and nutrient runoff. While the ORC's last tests showed no toxic organisms in the green beach material, and no concerns from recent shellfish or seawater samples, Ms Goldsworthy remains worried about untested contaminants such as E. coli. "We've never seen this kind of runoff before," she said. She was urging the council to move the septic outflow further from the coast as the issue was "fixable". Despite ongoing conversations, "we haven't had any joy at all". "The council is talking about privatising the water, the delivery of water and the removal of wastewater — this should be a priority action for them."
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Water park to move after water quality concerns
A summer water park will not operate in Cardiff Bay this year over concerns about water quality. Aqua Park is set to move to Cosmeston Lake in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, after it told the council issues over water quality had left it "unable to operate" following heavy rain. The attraction has operated in the Welsh capital since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames. Cardiff Harbour Authority said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely" checked, but increased rainfall and higher river flows in recent summers had increased the number of failed tests. Vale of Glamorgan Council's director of place, Marcus Goldsworthy said the move presented an opportunity to generate new income for improving facilities at Cosmeston. An agreement to run a pilot between May and September is set to be signed next month. Speaking at a Vale of Glamorgan Council environment and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, Mr Goldsworthy said the operator had a "number of issues in Cardiff Bay around water quality" and was not able to operate for the days it needed to. He added: "Essentially every time there was heavy rain, the water quality was so bad that they were unable to operate so they basically just couldn't carry on functioning in a financially viable way in Cardiff Bay. "In respect of water quality, the water is tested twice a year at Cosmeston to ensure that quality is maintained." Aqua Park first opened in Cardiff Bay in 2019 but was forced to close during the Covid-19 pandemic. It reopened for the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons. Vale of Glamorgan Council will carry out a full evaluation of the pilot and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction at Cosmeston next year. A Cardiff Harbour Authority spokesperson said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely tested" and managed in line with EU bathing water standards. "Maintaining public health is our top priority and if water quality fails to reach the necessary standards then steps are taken to protect Bay users," they added. The authority said recent wet summers had increased rainfall and river flows, resulting in more failed tests. "Cardiff Harbour Authority has no control over the quality of the water that flows into the Bay and as has been well publicised recently, water quality is an issue in rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies across the UK." Governments to investigate River Wye pollution Wales' water pollution spikes, despite £483m spend More Welsh attractions 'at risk' as Oakwood shuts
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to move to Penarth over water quality concerns
A summer water park will not operate in Cardiff Bay this year over concerns about water Park is set to move to Cosmeston Lake in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, after it told the council issues over water quality had left it "unable to operate" following heavy attraction has operated in the Welsh capital since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing Harbour Authority said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely" checked, but increased rainfall and higher river flows in recent summers had increased the number of failed tests. Vale of Glamorgan Council's director of place, Marcus Goldsworthy said the move presented an opportunity to generate new income for improving facilities at agreement to run a pilot between May and September is set to be signed next at a Vale of Glamorgan Council environment and regeneration scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, Mr Goldsworthy said the operator had a "number of issues in Cardiff Bay around water quality" and was not able to operate for the days it needed added: "Essentially every time there was heavy rain, the water quality was so bad that they were unable to operate so they basically just couldn't carry on functioning in a financially viable way in Cardiff Bay."In respect of water quality, the water is tested twice a year at Cosmeston to ensure that quality is maintained."Aqua Park first opened in Cardiff Bay in 2019 but was forced to close during the Covid-19 reopened for the 2023 and 2024 summer of Glamorgan Council will carry out a full evaluation of the pilot and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction at Cosmeston next year. A Cardiff Harbour Authority spokesperson said water quality in Cardiff Bay was "routinely tested" and managed in line with EU bathing water standards."Maintaining public health is our top priority and if water quality fails to reach the necessary standards then steps are taken to protect Bay users," they authority said recent wet summers had increased rainfall and river flows, resulting in more failed tests."Cardiff Harbour Authority has no control over the quality of the water that flows into the Bay and as has been well publicised recently, water quality is an issue in rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies across the UK."
