Proposed Waipara Plan adopted for submissions

The Proposed Waipara River Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan has been adopted for notification by Environment Canterbury and will be available for public submissions from Saturday April 17.

“Adoption of the Waipara Plan is a milestone as it establishes a framework and mechanisms for the sustainable management of rivers, streams, and groundwater in the catchment,” said Cr Ross Little, Environment Canterbury councillor for the North Canterbury Constituency.

“The Plan is the culmination of many years of work by Environment Canterbury and the communities in and around the Waipara catchment to better manage both river water and groundwater for environmental outcomes, for agricultural and economic uses, as well as for recreational and cultural needs.”

Work on developing the Proposed Waipara River Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan began in 2002.

“This furthers the substantial revision of minimum flows achieved already in North Canterbury and is the first of several catchment-based environmental flow allocation plans being developed by Environment Canterbury. Similar plans for the Waiau and Pareora rivers are well advanced,” said Cr Little.

“The Proposed Plan recognises the high value of water in the catchment and also that reliable water supply is critical for agricultural users.”

The Proposed Waipara River Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan sets out the resource management issues and objectives, defines policies, methods and rules relating to water in the Waipara River catchment.

The Proposed Waipara Plan sits within a planning framework being developed for the three major North Canterbury catchments: the Waiau, Hurunui and the Waipara.

Submissions on the Proposed Waipara Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan will accepted between Saturday April 17 and Monday June 14.

http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/minutes/Pages/council-meeting-agenda-250310.aspx

For more information: Cr Ross Little, 0274 779-548