Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

The recent oil spill into Tauranga Harbour should never have happened. Unfortunately it has, and there are a number of reviews underway to identify what needs to change to ensure it doesn't happen again.

This includes an investigation into whether any enforcement action is appropriate and at what level. At least Mobil has admitted liability and has said it will reimburse the Regional Council for clean-up costs, which are expected to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

A huge clean-up process has been underway covering areas from Maungatapu to Matakana to Pilot Bay. More than 200 people have been working on the response, including over 90 Regional Council staff pulled in from all parts of the organisation.

Over 30 tonnes of oily waste have been removed, including many bags of oiled vegetation. Booms and sorbent pads have been used to soak up oil, and hard surfaces have been cleaned where oil has coated them. A helicopter has been used to hunt for oil residues, and coastlines have been inspected on an ongoing basis.

Like with the Rena, the oil will all be removed through a collaborative effort. However, many people have been inconvenienced, and the environment has taken a hit. We must make sure that everything is done to make sure it doesn't happen again.

If you have views on this or any other issue, you can email me at neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150.