MEDIA ADVISORY
15 March 2013

BANKS PENINSULA ZIP ENDORSED BY COUNCIL

The Banks Peninsula Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) for water management was endorsed by Environment Canterbury at its council meeting yesterday (14 March).

Working with its community to develop water management recommendations for the zone has been the key focus for the committee since it formed in September 2011.

These recommendations now form the basis for the design and realignment of council work and planning programmes for fresh water in the zone.

The ZIP includes ten chapters, with each chapter focussing on a different priority area for water management. It is designed to enable present and future generations the greatest environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits from the region’s water.

Now that the committee has an agreed set of water management recommendations it will turn its focus to implementing the on-the-ground actions outlined in its ZIP.

At its second monthly committee meeting of the year, on Tuesday 19 March in Akaroa, the committee will focus on how it can track the progress of achieving the goals and recommendations outlined in the ZIP.

The committee will also look at biodiversity and wetland protection in the zone. The Banks Peninsula ZIP recommends that two wetlands should be chosen for protection and regeneration in the next six months.

The ZIP also sets specific criteria for Immediate Steps biodiversity funding support, which is allocated by zone committees. At the meeting the committee will be updated on biodiversity projects in the zone by Environment Canterbury.

Immediate Steps is a $10 million programme for biodiversity which forms part of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. It aims to halt the decline of our natural waterways by supporting initiatives which protect of indigenous biodiversity and water quality. The Immediate Steps fund contributes up to two-thirds of the project, with one third required from applicants in cash or in-kind.
Another key focus for the committee is on developing recommendations for water quality and quantity limits for Te Roto o Wairewa (Lake Forsyth). These limits will be incorporated in to the Wairewa Sub-Regional Chapter, which will feed in to Environment Canterbury’s proposed Land and Water Regional Plan.

Te Roto o Wairewa (Lake Forsyth) is a key focus for the committee, with 13 recommendations relating to its value, protection, and enhancement included in its ZIP.

At the meeting, the committee will also receive an update from the Regional Committee, which considers regional issues of environmental restoration and repair; land use impacts on water quality; as well as water storage, distribution and efficiency options.

The Banks Peninsula Zone Committee typically meets on the third Tuesday of each month. Zone Committee meetings are open to the public, and attendees will be offered an opportunity to contribute, if they wish.

Meeting details

Banks Peninsula Zone Committee meeting
10am, Tuesday, 19 March.
ONUKU MARAE, AKAROA . [NOT the Akaora Sports Complex – corrected 18/3/13]

Link to agenda: http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/Council/banks-peninsula-zone-committee-190313.pdf

Link to final ZIP: http://ecan.govt.nz/publications/Council/bp-zone-committee-jan-zip-2013.pdf

ENDS

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