Land and Water forum report welcomed by Environment Canterbury

Environment Canterbury has welcomed the report on freshwater management released by the Land and Water Forum, a body set up by the Government to encourage a wide a range of stakeholders to discuss water issues.

“We are encouraged by the tone and detail of the report which recommends the development of clear national standards and policy around freshwater management,” said Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Dr Bryan Jenkins.

“Environment Canterbury and other regional councils have identified the need for a high-level national strategy and environmental standards for freshwater.

“At the regional and community level the report recommends collaborative processes to freshwater management taking into account the views of iwi and stakeholders to address cultural, social, economic and environmental issues.

“In Canterbury we have taken the lead in implementing a community-driven collaborative approach to freshwater management through the implementation of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.”

The Canterbury Water Management Strategy represents more than six years of work driven by Environment Canterbury and the Mayoral Forum, and has included wide-ranging stakeholder consultation to find solutions to water issues.

“We have found a high level of community interest and goodwill this year as we work to set up water management committees around Canterbury,” said Dr Jenkins.

“One zone committee is already up and running and appointments have been made to the Regional Committee and a number of other zone committees which start their work over the coming month or so.

“Environment Canterbury and other regional councils have a crucial role in improving freshwater management which is reinforced in the recommendations made in the Land and Water Forum report.

“The Land and Water Forum report notes that better monitoring of water management performance is crucial to meet the targets and goals set for water management.

“The Canterbury Water Management Strategy also has a well defined system of monitoring and measurement of performance. This monitoring system is based around the strategy’s broadly agreed set of targets – which cover 10 main areas – and which cover the present, five years, 10 years and 30 years in the future. “

Targets have been set for: ecosystem health and biodiversity; braided rivers; kaitiakitanga; drinking water; recreational; water-use efficiency; irrigation; energy; economics; and environmental limits.

“The targets provide a way of assessing how effective we have been in implementing the strategy, both at a management and governance level and at the community level. They align very closely with the recommendations of the Land and Water Forum report,” said Dr Jenkins. “Environment Canterbury will continue to provide leadership in water management.

“In addition to making sure the requirements of the Resource Management Act are met, Environment Canterbury will work to ensure water management decisions reflect the economic, environmental, cultural and social needs of Canterbury. “