Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Minimum flow set for Waiwera River

Minimum flow set for Waiwera River

The Otago Regional Council has adopted a plan change for the Waiwera River, which establishes minimum flows, allocation limits, and a monitoring site for the river.

The Waiwera is a tributary of the Clutha River located inland from Balclutha. There are currently four farmers taking water from the river for irrigation and stock water.

ORC director policy planning and resource management Fraser McRae said the plan change provided certainty for the community, who rely on the river for recreation, cultural, and agricultural uses.

"Minimum flows are used under the Resource Management Act to control the amount of water taken out of individual rivers," Mr McRae said.

"It's the level below which no more water can be taken to protect the values of the river. It also gives irrigators certainty about when and how much water they take within the parameters of their consent."

Plan Change 3C was publicly notified in December 2014 and submissions on the change were heard in April 2015. Six submitters had evidence presented to a hearing committee.

In August 2015, the hearing committee notified its decision on a minimum flow for the Waiwera of 300 l/s, with two appeals made to the Environment Court.

These appeals were resolved through mediation in December 2015, resulting in an agreed minimum flow of 280 l/s. There is a ‘recovery flow’ provision, which means that if the river flow drops below 280 l/s because of consented water taking, the river's flow must return to 310 l/s before taking can recommence.

ORC chairman Stephen Woodhead said the end result was something everyone involved could be proud of, particularly the local community, which had constructively contributed to it.

The plan change will become operative on 1 March 2016. Those holding consents to take water will soon be contacted regarding when they will need to abide by the new minimum flow.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.