Call for improved river protection can't be ignored

A report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment which raises critical issues about the future of our wild and scenic rivers and the need for a more comprehensive protection mechanism should serve as a warning to the Government, Labour’s  Conservation spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

“The report is to be welcomed. As the Commissioner points out there are some contradictions in current legislation around protection and development, hence we are seeing an environment versus environment tension.

“Hydro-electricity is a carbon neutral form of power generation, so is environmentally preferable to alternatives. On the other hand damming a river for a hydro-scheme causes irreversible environmental damage.

“Decisions about whether hydro development should go ahead or whether we instead recognise the value of preserving wild and scenic rivers can be very ad hoc. Such decisions are currently argued out and determined in a litigious and expensive way.

“And while the immediate pressure of the Mohikinui River case has been eased, this is not an issue which is going to go away.

“At the moment Water Conservation Orders are a mechanism of protection but have very limited application, while the National Policy Statement does not cover freshwater management.

“Taking leadership from government would be a responsible and sensible way forward. 

Labour’s policy is to review the status of stewardship land to bring some certainty and clarity to the issue. It should be a priority for the current government,” Ruth Dyson said.

“Jan Wright’s report has given us a very valuable base of information on which to consider these issues.

Our rivers are part of our culture as New Zealanders - they provide valuable recreational opportunities and they are a key part of our “’clean, green’ brand. The report, then, should be a wake-up call for some action from the government.”