Waimakariri people get a chance to have a say on water
The Waimakariri Zone Committee is asking local people to have a say on water management in their area.
The committee – established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) – has released its Draft Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) for public feedback.
The Waimakariri draft ZIP recommends actions, responsibilities and time-frames for activities to help achieve the principles, targets and goals set out in the CWMS.
Committee Chair Murray Lang says the completion of the draft ZIP is the culmination of months of hard work by the zone committee.
“We have worked hard to develop the actions, strategies and tactics that form our recommendations for integrated water management.
“We now want to hear what local people like and don’t like about the recommendations and whether there are other things they think should be included.”
Since its formation the Waimakariri Zone Committee has had eleven meetings and workshops and undertaken many field trips to help guide its decision making.
The zone committee also held public meetings, attended by more than 80 people, to discuss the zone’s water management priorities. The feedback from the meetings helped guide the committee’s Draft ZIP for water management.
The draft ZIP includes recommendations on five key priority areas; ‘lowland waterways, braided rivers, nutrient and water management, water supply, and biodiversity.
Murray Lang says how water is allocated and used is crucial to the future of the region so people should feel compelled to have their say.
“The underlying philosophy of the CWMS is that local communities should be making decisions on local water management. The Waimakariri ZIP is the mechanism for delivering these goals so it’s important people have their say.
“As a committee we have worked collaboratively to reach consensus decisions that will deliver all the CWMS targets in the zone. We look forward to working with stakeholders and community members to bring together a programme that will deliver the vision of the strategy – to enable present and future generations the greatest social and economic benefits from the region’s water.”
The draft ZIP contains 48 recommendations to the Waimakariri District Council, Environment Canterbury and other stakeholders.
Community members will have until October 21 to provide their feedback on the Waimakariri Draft ZIP.
This can be done by visiting www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater, by collecting a copy of the draft ZIP from Environment Canterbury (Ellesmere Centre, 24 Edward Street, Lincoln) or Waimakariri District Council Offices, or by attending one of the public meetings being organised in early October.
Meeting details
- Monday October 3 (7-9pm) – Rossburn Function Centre Sparks Lane (off Northbrook Rd), Rangiora
- Wednesday October 5 (7-9pm) – Kaiapoi Club, 113 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi
- Monday October 10 (7-9pm) – Jaycee Rooms, 56 Main St, Oxford