Media Release

21 January 2013

Kaikoura Zone Committee seeking new member

The Kaikoura Zone Committee is looking to appoint a new member in early 2013 to replace departing member Sarah Beardmore.

Since forming in July 2011 the committee has attended numerous meetings, field-trips and engaged with the community to come up-to-speed water management issues in the 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.

Kaikoura Zone Committee Facilitator Laura Beck said the committee is looking for people who want to make a positive difference to water management in the zone.

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

“The committee is specifically looking for people who have a passion for the region and a real interest in working collaboratively to develop innovative and sustainable solutions.

“The ideal candidate will have experience working collaboratively, engaging with communities, and be competent at dealing with technical and often complex issues. They should also understand the need to balance the competing demands for water,” she 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.

Of the 64 recommendations made in the Kaikoura ZIP, Environment Canterbury is leading or involved in more than 50 of them. Around one-third of the recommendations relate to scientific investigations and monitoring to provide more information for planning.

The underlying philosophy of the CWMS is that communities – via water management zone committees – are best placed to make decisions on local water management.

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 last Wednesday of each month in Kaikoura.

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

Interested candidates should contact the Kaikoura Zone Committee facilitator prior to 15 February or visit the Kaikoura page at www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater for more information and a downloadable expression of interest form.

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