River groups cross fertilise Waitaki with Te Anau

Inspiration and advice are what the members of the Lower Waitaki River Management Society are hoping to bring home, after a field trip to Te Anau in March.

The group will be meeting with the Waiau Fisheries and Wildlife Enhancement Trust, which was set up 12 years ago as part of a settlement package negotiated between the Waiau Working Part and ECNZ (now Meridian Energy) for resource consents for the Manapouri power scheme.

Environment Canterbury resource care co-ordinator Julia Laming, who acts as secretary and facilitator for the Lower Waitaki Society, says the trust has faced similar issues to them, as both are involved with hydro-affected rivers.

“We will be seeing how the trust is getting on and what their challenges and achievements have been along they way, and we will be getting some advice from them about how they are moving forward.

“It will be good to hear some of the challenges,” she said.

Facilitated by ECan, the Lower Waitaki River Management Group was formed in 2004, becoming an Incorporated Society in 2006, The 15 members of its management committee meet every three to four weeks and represent landowners, irrigation companies, recreational users, environmental groups, community representatives, Waitaha, and the Waitaki District Council.

Ms Laming says wetlands and water quality are two of the major issues that the society is focussing on and it has been involved in hearings regarding issues surrounding the Waitaki River water allocations.

She says the Te Anau group has been very supportive of their northern counterparts and is interested to hear the Waitaki members feedback on their work as well as giving their advice.