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

Art & Entertainment | Book Reviews | Education | Entertainment Video | Health | Lifestyle | Sport | Sport Video | Search

 

Irrigators could suck rivers dry

                                      Media release – November 18, 2009

 
Irrigators could suck rivers dry say environmentally-concerned artists before exhibition

 

Environment Canterbury’s decision to give Central Plains Water, a private company, consent to take water from the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers for irrigation on the Central Canterbury Plains has resulted in a protest art exhibition in Christchurch next week.

Twelve artists who strongly care about the water and the environment are staging the exhibition in support of the existing Waimakariri River, at the Coca Gallery on November 24.

At the 5.30pm opening, Lady Diana Isaac will award prizes for three Canterbury school children who won Alpine Jet River rides for their art about the river. Alpine Jets is threatened with closure if the scheme goes ahead, exhibition organisers Jane Zusters and Sally Hope said today.

The three winning entries from three age groups will join the art of Mark Adams, Nigel Brown, Linda James, Sam Mahon, Albi McCathy, Ramonda Te Maiharoa, Becky Turrell, Irene Schroder, Ben Woollcombe, Margaret Ryley, Hope and Zusters .

Waianiwaniwa Valley farmers were delighted their valley will not be flooded for a dam but a private compamy still secured the water rights, they said.

``Canterbury water belongs to all of us. We love our rivers but their water is being sucked up into irrigators and our rivers could be varnishing. This is a sad day for our rivers,’’ Hope said.

At the closing of this exhibition on December 12, Russell Norman of the Green Party will speak, along with Murray Rodgers of the Water Rights Trust. Singers Malcolm McNeill and Rima Te Wiata are supporting the water cause by performing.

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
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

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.