MEDIA ADVISORY

17 November 2014

Lower Waitaki Zone Committee focuses on water quantity and water quality limits

The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee will meet in Kurow for its monthly water management meeting onWednesday, 19 November.

The committee’s current focus is on developing outcomes for water quantity and water quality limits as part of sub-regional planning processes in the zone.

At the meeting the committee will receive updates and progress reports on work in the sub-catchments of Hakataramea and the Waitaki Northern Fan. The committee will also confirm the outcomes sought and modelling required in the Waitaki Valley and its tributaries.

Outcomes for the catchments include maintaining water quality for recreational, cultural, environmental, and community use, while enhancing biodiversity and providing for economic growth.

Further community workshops are scheduled for the Hakataramea and Northern Fan in December to explore scenarios for setting limits.

Workshop details

Hakataramea Catchment Meeting, 4-6pm, 4 December, Cattle Creek Hall

Waitaki Northern Fan Catchment Meeting, 4-6pm, 10 December, Glenavy Hall

At Wednesday’s meeting the committee will also receive an update on its Immediate Steps biodiversity funding that aims for the protection of ecosystems and habitats to conserve indigenous freshwater diversity.

Zone committees decide the priorities for each zone and distribute the funding. There is still significant funding available for local biodiversity projects – application forms can be found by searching ‘Immediate Steps’ at www.ecan.govt.nz.

The Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee operates as a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimate and Waitaki District Councils. The zone extends from the Otaio catchment in the north, to the Waitaki Dam in the south, taking in Waimate, Kurow and Duntroon.

Zone Committee meeting information

Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee meeting

1:00pm, Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Kurow Golf Club, 5 Manse Road, Kurow

For a copy of the agenda visit the Lower Waitaki page at www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater

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