4 December 2012

Upper Waitaki Zone Committee seeking new member

The Upper Waitaki Zone Committee is looking to appoint a new member in early 2013 to add extra local knowledge to help with it water management decisions.

Upper Waitaki Zone Committee Chair Barry Shepherd said the committee is looking for people who want to make a positive difference to water management in the zone.

“Since forming in early 2011 last year we have attended numerous committee meetings, field-trips and community engagement meetings to come up-to-speed with the major issues facing water management in our zone.

“The outcome of these meetings has been the development of a Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) that provides recommendations to councils on how water should be managed.

“This is an exciting and busy time for us as a committee, as we look at working towards implementing the recommendations made in our ZIP to meet the targets outlines in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

“We are looking for people who have a passion for our region and a real interest in working collaboratively to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to join the committee,” he said.

Each of the ten Canterbury Water zone committees are charged with developing strategies, tactics and activities (ZIPs) to give effect to the fundamental principles and targets outlined in the CWMS.

These targets include ecosystem health/biodiversity (including water quality), drinking water, water-use efficiency, irrigated land area, recreational and amenity opportunities, natural character of braided rivers, kaitiakitanga and regional/national economy.

The successful zone committee applicant will need to be available to attend monthly meetings, as well as community engagement meetings as required. Meetings are typically held on the third Friday of each month from 9:30am – 1:00pm in Twizel.

Barry Shepherd said the committee is particularly seeking someone from the Tekapo side of the MacKenzie Basin.

“To preserve the balance of the committee we are looking for a candidate from the Tekapo side of the zone and it is important they have a good knowledge of, and connections to, the rural community. They should also understand the need to balance the competing demands for water.

“The ideal candidate will have experience working collaboratively, engaging with communities, and be competent at dealing with technical and often complex issues. We are sure there will be many people in the region who share the same passion as us and wish to put their names forward,” he said.

The Upper Waitaki Zone Committee operates as a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waitaki and Mackenzie District councils. Zone committee meetings are open to the public and community members are encouraged to attend.

Interested candidates should contact the Upper Waitaki Zone Committee facilitator prior to 11 December or visit www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater for more information.

ENDS

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