Positive future for Te Waihora applauded

Environment Canterbury commissioners have adopted the recommendations of three external hearing commissioners, who recommended that the Minister for the Environment grant an application to amend the 1990 National Water Conservation Order covering Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere. The three commissioners appointed by the council earlier this year were Hon Peter Salmon QC, Rau Kirikiri and Dr Brent Cowie.

The variation had been sought by Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation under the terms of the Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010.

At a special council meeting this week, the hearing commissioners’ recommendation was adopted and will be forwarded to the Minister for the Environment for the final decision. Commissioner Peter Skelton said that the amendment was very positive for the lake’s future. He also commended the efficient, timely work of the hearing panel.

Debate during the hearing had been largely confined to the mechanics around lake openings, which were resolvable, he said. It was extremely positive to see no fundamental value differences emerging. In future, the lake values contained in the amended Order must be recognised in plans under the Resource Management Act, he said.

Environment Canterbury commissioner Donald Couch, of Te Hapu o Te Wheke (ki Rāpaki), welcomed the Ngāi Tahu representatives to the council meeting. He said he supported the amendment which “goes a long way to meeting concerns about Te Waihora.”

Simon Manson, of the Lake Settlers Assn, agreed that the amendment to the Water Conservation Order was “good for everybody.”

“We are very happy with it,” he said.

Poma Palmer, Department of Conservation community relations officer, planning, had worked on the original 1990 Water Conservation Order. He said he was pleased to see the values they had sought but failed to get included 21 years ago, incorporated now. The outcome provided flexibility and showed the value of a consensus-driven approach.

The hearing committee’s key changes were:
· Including the words Te Waihora in front of Lake Ellesmere in the title of the Water Conservation Order and throughout the document, in line with current accepted practice.
· Expanding the list of the lake’s “outstanding features” to include habitat for indigenous wetland vegetation and fish and significance in relation to tikanga Māori in respect of Ngāi Tahu history, mahinga kai and customary fisheries. The 1990 Water Conservation Order only referred to wildlife habitat.
· Allowing additional lake openings at any level, primarily to aid eel migration, from April 1 to June 15.

For further information and details, read the full report to the commissioners:

http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/Council/council-agenda-14-07-2011.pdf