Media release

22 July 2015

Water management committee focuses on water quality and natural environment recovery

The Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee will meet on 23 July for its regular monthly meeting to discuss local water management.

The committee will begin the meeting by welcoming members of the public to contribute before it receives the 2014 Surface Water Quality Monitoring Report for Christchurch City Waterways. This is the first report to analyse water quality information across the entire city which allows much better assessment of relative issues across and within catchments.

At the meeting the committee will receive an update on the Addington Brook / Riccarton Stream Working Group’s work with the community to improve water quality. The Monitoring Report includes specific data for this catchment which shows water quality has improved since last year, although it’s too soon to draw any long-term conclusions.

The committee will also receive an update on the implementation of the Natural Environment Recovery Programme (NERP) for the second quarter of 2015. The NERP was developed by Environment Canterbury and its partners to facilitate the restoration and enhancement of the natural environment, and capture opportunities to build future resilience.

Current areas of particular focus include coastal and flooding issues, and integration with other recovery programmes including the future use of residential red zone land, and the Te Papa Ōtākaro/Avon River Precinct and North and East frames anchor projects.

The committee will finish the meeting by appointing a representative for the Regional Committee, which considers water management issues of regional significance. These issues include Kaitiakitanga, ecosystem health and biodiversity, land use and water quality, and regional infrastructure. The appointment follows the departure of the previous representative from the zone committee.

Meeting information

Christchurch – West Melton Committee

5pm, 23 July 2015 at the Fendalton Service Centre (corner Clyde and Jeffreys Roads)

For an agenda visit the Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee page at www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater .

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