Locals get chance to have say on water management

People who attend the meetings will be asked to provide feedback on the priorities for water management in the zone. These priorities will guide the committee as it develops its recommendations for water management which will be detailed in its draft Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP).

The draft ZIP – which will be available early next year – will recommend the actions, responsibilities and time-frames for activities to achieve the principles, targets and goals set out in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

“The Upper Waitaki Zone Committee has been working hard to understand water management issues in our zone and begin to develop solutions,” said Barry Shepherd, Chair of the Upper Waitaki Zone Committee.

“We have had briefings from technical experts, field trips around the district, as well as meetings with stakeholders to gauge the range of views on water management issues in our zone.

“We are now at the point where we can brief people on our progress and provide an update on what we believe the priorities for water management in the zone are.

“How we manage water is an influence on our quality of life and prosperity both now and for future generations. We need local’s ideas to be able to develop a meaningful programme of recommendations for the councils and other stakeholders. The two public meetings are an ideal opportunity for people to have their say,” he said.

Once developed, the community will also have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft ZIP before it is submitted to councils. The zone committee expects to be calling for feedback on its draft ZIP in December 2011.

The Upper Waitaki Zone is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waitaki and Mackenzie District councils. The zone covers the entire Waitaki catchment above the Waitaki dam.

Community meeting details

Tuesday 15 November
7-9pm: Twizel Event Centre Community Lounge, 61 Mackenzie Drive, Twizel.

Wednesday 16 November
7-9pm: Godley Hotel Tekapo Tasman Room, State Highway 8, Tekapo.