Media Release
21/08/2013

Plan of Action to Deal with Riverbed Issues

The establishment of a new multi-partnership working party to improve the management of riverbeds in Southland is to be initiated by Environment Southland.

This follows a very successful field tour of the Upper Aparima Catchment earlier this month. The tour was organised by Environment Southland to consider issues of concern to the community. It was well attended with 26 participants from the Aparima River Liaison Committee and representatives from the Department of Conservation, Fish and Game, and Environment Southland staff and councillors.

Catchment Works Supervisor Ken McGraw told this morning’s Regional Services Committee meeting that the tour was also a good opportunity for the participants to get more information about best practice and the Land and Water & Beyond 2020 focus activities.

Mr McGraw said participants raised a wide range of concerns including managing the gravel bed-loads, consents and minor works, and rating differences. He said talking about the issues was good, but that they needed to be addressed on the ground. “We want some action. We need a strong terms of reference so this can happen quite quickly,” he said.

The working party would include representation from the Department of Conservation, the Southland Fish and Game Council, the River Liaison Committees, Contractors, Iwi, the Southland District Council, the Gore District Council and Environment Southland.

The Committee agreed to the establishment of a working party and its development of a Terms of Reference, to be submitted to Council for confirmation.

ENDS

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