July 29 2013

Further events planned as part of Cardrona water management consultation process

People interested in the future management of water in the Cardrona River and the Wanaka-Cardrona aquifer will have two further opportunities next month to learn more about the allocation process and have their say.

ORC is working with the community towards setting a minimum flow for the river and a water allocation limit for the river and aquifer.

About 50 people attended a community workshop on June 11 where options aimed at achieving an appropriate water management regime were presented. At a follow up meeting on June 27, attended by 36 people, local speakers outlined the importance of water to their farming operations.

The first of the two events planned for next month is an open day organised by the Cardrona Landcare Group and supported by ORC. This will be on Saturday 10 August, and provide an opportunity for people to visit farms in the Cardrona Valley to see the role summer irrigation plays in providing winter feed for livestock.

The starting point for the open day (which will run from 2pm to 3.30pm) is Spotts Creek Station near Wanaka.

On Saturday August 31 ORC staff will be based at the Wanaka Library from 10am to 2pm to answer questions about the water allocation process and the catchment.

ORC director of policy and resource planning Fraser McRae said these sessions are designed to ensure people understand the implications of setting the minimum flow and allocation limits. They will also allow ORC to get wider public feedback on allocation options.

“The strong public interest in this process thus far has been very encouraging,” Mr McRae said.

“These further community events are designed to ensure that people have as much information as possible and can make a meaningful contribution to the final outcome,” he said.

ends