17 August 2012

Banks Peninsula Zone Committee Meeting

The Canterbury Water Banks Peninsula Zone Committee will meet for its monthly meeting on Tuesday 21 August at Governors Bay Hotel, starting at 4pm.

The committee will begin the meeting with an update from the Regional Committee before receiving a presentation from Environment Canterbury regarding septic tank and storm-water regulations.

Environment Canterbury will also present to the committee on soil erosion and sediment control in the zone.

Follwing a presentation from a Ravensdown representative, on farm nutrient budgets, there will be some available for public contributions.

The main focus for the Banks Peninsula Zone Committee has been on developing its draft Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) for water management in the zone which it expects to be ready in October.

The draft ZIP will include several chapters, each focussing on a different priority area for water management. These include; water supply, biodiversity, Lake Wairewa, wastewater, run-off / contamination + waterways, coastal, and education / communication.

During October the committee will host stakeholder meetings and three community meetings for local people, groups and organisations to provide feedback on the recommendations made in the draft ZIP. Once finalised, the ZIP will be presented to councils to be endorsed as the basis for the design and realignment of work programmes, for drafting regional plan provisions.

At its July meeting, the zone committee focussed on the drinking water and biodiversity components of its draft ZIP. It also looked closely at the issues facing Wairewa/Lake Forsyth, which has been identified as one of its key priority areas for water management.

The committee has been looking closely at the management of the lake and how it can support local Rūnanga to enhance the lake’s water quality and ensure its cultural significance is recognised.

The Runanga led Te Ao Hou project proposes the development of a permanent lake opening to improve its water quality and assist in the recruitment of migratory fish species such as tuna (eels) and pātiki, thus restoring mahinga kai values.

The project also makes long-term provisions for the construction of a lock, an estuary groyne, canal and facilities for contact recreation.

The Banks Peninsula Zone Committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month Zone Committee meetings are open to the public.

The committee consists of five community members, four Rūnanga representatives, and appointees from Environment Canterbury and Christchurch City Council.

Banks Peninsula Zone Committee meeting
4pm, Tuesday, 21 August.
Governors Bay Hotel, Main Road, Governors Bay

Link to agenda: http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/minutes/Pages/banks-peninsula-committee-agenda-210812.aspx

ENDS

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