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

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

 

Lower Waitaki water management recommendations endorsed

Lower Waitaki water management recommendations endorsed

The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) has been formally received by Environment Canterbury at its council meeting today (29 March).

Environment Canterbury Commissioners endorsed the Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Implementation Programme as the basis for the design and realignment of work programmes for drafting regional plan provisions. Both the Waitaki and Waimate district councils have already received and accepted the Zone Implementation Programme.

“The Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Implementation Programme represents the consensus reached by committee members on the local actions needed to improve water management in the zone,” said Environment Canterbury Commissioner Peter Skelton, also a member of the committee.

“This consensus also took into account the wide range of views from local people and organisations, canvassed by the zone committee during the development of the Zone Implementation Programme.

“The Zone Implementation Programme sits within the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, which is putting in place a collaborative system to manage water based around a shared vision of gaining the greatest benefits from water within a sustainable framework.”

Zone Committee Chair Robin Murphy said the committee had taken a ‘whole of waterways’ approach to integrate water management from the mountains to the sea (Ki Uta Ki Tai).

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.

“This includes the Maori principle of Kaitiakitanga which is reflected in the recommendations to improve water quality and quantity, as well as provide more customary use, and involve runanga in water management.

“Within the ZIP there are six priority topics, part of our integrated approach to water management.

“Both the Lower Waitaki River and the Hakataramea catchment are priority areas in the ZIP.

“For the Lower Waitaki River the recommendations start with the development of an iwi management plan for the catchment, they also include the river mouth, in-stream values and braided river character, as well as reliability of water, electricity supply, water quality issues, and recreational amenity.

“For the Hakatamea the local community is keen to see a catchment management plan and improved water flow and reliability.

“Restoration of Wainono Lagoon is another priority area, which has also received a significant funding boost from the recent Government Fresh Start for Freshwater initiative.

“Improving the biodiversity of coastal lagoons, lowland streams, springs, river mouths and wetlands is another priority area,” said Robin Murphy.

“The ZIP also includes priority recommendations around improving drinking water quality and finding additional sources of drinking water for communities.

“The sixth priority area is water and nutrient management. We are keen to encourage local farmers to get involved in catchment groups looking at setting nutrient limits.

“The ZIP also recommends environmental flows be set for all rivers in the zone, as well asmore scientific work to understand groundwater, and assessment of reliable water supply options in the northern part of the zone,” said Robin Murphy.

The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Implementation Programme is the fifth to be completed under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

Robin Murphy said developing the ZIP was a very thorough process.

“All reasonable endeavour was made to capture a diverse range of opinions.

“There is consensus in the way information has been put together but even more significant is the way the community has taken a collaborative approach to the management of water.

“This has included working collaboratively with stakeholders and community members to develop recommendations for water management solutions acceptable to a wide range of people.”

During the engagement and feedback process on the ZIP, the committee identified a number of additional work streams and gaps in knowledge that will be addressed in its 2012 work programme including gravel extraction, the management of stockwater races, stormwater management, drainage management, and flood management.

Copies of the final ZIP can be downloaded at www.ecan.govt/canterburywater .

The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s next public meeting is on 19 April.


ends

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
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.