15 December 2014

Lower Waitaki Zone Committee focuses on water quality limits

The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee will meet in Waimate on Wednesday 17 December for its final monthly water management meeting this year.

The committee’s current focus is on developing outcomes for water quality limits as part of sub-regional planning processes in the zone.

At the meeting the committee will receive an update on work being undertaken in the Hakataramea and the Waitaki Northern Fan catchments.

Public workshops were held in both catchments earlier this month to explore scenarios for setting limits and to discuss how community members can be involved. Around 40 people attended the two workshops and further meetings are planned.

Following this the committee will discuss results from modelling work being undertaken in the Waitaki Valley and its tributaries to deliver on the key outcomes developed for the catchment. These include maintaining water quality for recreational, cultural, environmental, and community use, while enhancing biodiversity and providing for economic growth.

The committee will finish the meeting by receiving an update on the timeline for sub-regional planning processes for the zone and considering a report on implementing the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

The Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee operates as a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimate and Waitaki District Councils. The zone extends from the Otaio catchment in the north, to the Waitaki Dam in the south, taking in Waimate, Kurow and Duntroon.

Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee meeting
1:15pm, Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Waimate District Council Chambers, Queen Street

For a copy of the agenda visit the Lower Waitaki page at www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater

ENDS

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