Water management priorities for Selwyn-Waihora zone
The four priority areas for water issues in the Selwyn-Waihora zone have been identified following months of work by the Selwyn-Waihora Zone Committee and community meetings with local people.
“We held community meetings in June to update people on what we believe are the priorities for water management in the zone and to get their feedback,” said Peter Jackson, Chair of the Selwyn-Waihora Zone Committee.
Four sub-groups have been formed from the zone committee and are now working on the detail and developing recommendations.
“It was very pleasing to find the people who attended the two community meetings in late June largely agreed with our draft priorities for water management issues.
“There were also a number of additional suggestions which the committee will take into account before confirming the priorities.
“Under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy we are aiming for parallel progress in economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes.”
The Committee sub-groups are now working on pathways toward achieving the priority areas, including:
- Audited Self Management (for farmers): this sub-group has already organised a workshop with industry stakeholders in order to take a lead on optimum farm water use and nutrient management
- Biodiversity issues including: increased indigenous biodiversity on the plains as well as other areas of the zone; and enhanced wetlands
- Lake and lowland freshwater issues including improving the health of the Te Waihora ecosystem allowing improved food gathering and reducing the amount of sedimentation
Water supply issues including: high quality and safe drinking water supplies; improved irrigation reliability (to 95%). The recommendations from the sub-groups working on each of the priority areas will provide the basis for the Selwyn-Waihora draft Zone Implementation Programme.
“The draft Zone Implementation Programme will bring together our thinking on how to begin to achieve the targets established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy,” said Peter Jackson.
A draft Zone Implementation Programme is expected to be ready for public comment and feedback by November.
The next public meeting of the Selwyn-Waihora Zone Committee is scheduled for August 2.