Public meetings on Hurunui-Waiau water issues

Members of the public are being invited to a series of meetings to hear more about the Draft Hurunui-Waiau Zone Implementation Programme.

The Draft Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) has been prepared by the Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee and has been made available for comment.

“The Draft Zone Implementation Programme is the first prepared under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and represents a major milestone for the collaborative and community-led vision of the Strategy,” said Environment Canterbury Commissioner David Caygill.

The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee has met with many groups and organisations over the past few months discussing water issues.

The Draft Zone Implementation Programme takes these views into account, while at the same time addressing the 10 broad target areas agreed to under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

It covers and makes recommendations on:

• Ecosystem health/biodiversity and braided river character (including Immediate Steps Biodiversity funding)
• Drinking water
• Kaitiakitanga
• Environmental flows and water allocation (for the Hurunui, Waiau, Conway and Waipara rivers)
• Land use and water quality considerations
• More water (from storage, transfers, and efficiencies)
• Recreation.

Comments on the Draft Zone Implementation Programme should be submitted by email to admin@canterburywater.org.nz by Friday June 3, 2011. The ZIP is available for download from www.canterburywater.org.nz .

Christchurch public meeting
Wednesday May 18, 7.30pm
Avonhead School Hall,
55 Avonhead Road, Christchurch

Hurunui district public meetings

Tuesday May 17, 7pm
Amberley, Hurunui District Council Chambers
Thursday May 19, 7pm
Cheviot Area School Community Hall, Caverhill Rd
Monday May 23, 7pm
Culverden Old Council Chambers, Main Rd
Wednesday May 25, 7pm
Hawarden Bowling Club, Allandale Rd
Wednesday June 1, 7pm
Omihi Hall, Cnr Omihi & Reeces Roads