Public feedback invited on draft river gravel management strategy

Environment Canterbury announced today that it is seeking public comment on the draft river gravel management strategy.

Commissioner Donald Couch says the purpose of the strategy is to ensure that the extraction of gravel from rivers is sustainably managed throughout Canterbury. Gravel is also extracted from land-based quarries, but the strategy does not cover this.

“Active management of gravel will provide for affordable flood hazard protection that ensures community safety and wellbeing. It will also allow for sustainable economic development without compromising cultural, social and environmental outcomes and values,” Mr Couch said.

“There has been an inconsistent approach to managing gravel extraction around the region. This has led to uneven extraction rates which have created environmental and economic issues and also concerns about managing flood and hazard risk.”

Mr Couch said extracted gravel will play an important part in the rebuild of Christchurch. “The impact of the earthquakes will place particular pressure on the supply of river gravel to the extent that in some areas managing flood risk could become a challenge. There is also increasing demand from greater agricultural activity throughout Canterbury.”

A High Court decision in 2011 requires a change in approach to allocating gravel. This decision means that only available gravel in rivers can be allocated to consent holders and priority must be given to those who hold existing consents.

“This is a change from previous decisions where it was determined that there was no limit on the allocation of gravel and there was no priority for existing consents,” Mr Couch said.

Another reason for developing the strategy now is that there is a need to provide direction on gravel management in the draft Land and Water Regional Plan and for flood and drainage bylaws to be notified in 2012.

Donald Couch says Environment Canterbury welcomes public comment on the draft strategy. “Management of river gravel is important because it is a significant contributor to economic and environmental outcomes in the region, including the rebuild of Christchurch. Gravel has a surprisingly wide range of uses and it is vital in flood and erosion protection work.”

The draft Canterbury River Gravel Management Strategy can be found at www.ecan.govt.nz/Gravel. Submissions close on 29 June 2012.