Community members invited to play a part in local water management

The Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee is looking for new community members to help address water management challenges in the zone, and deliver the goals of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

Ian Fox, Zone Committee Chair, said the committee is particularly looking for someone who can see others’ points of views and work collaboratively to find solutions for water issues.

“Many local people aren’t aware that Christchurch’s urban waterways are among the most polluted in Canterbury. The poor water quality is a result of sediment, faecal, and chemical contaminants directly entering streams from the storm water system.

“The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is an innovative approach to managing fresh water. It’s about finding the best balance between restoring our environment, providing opportunities for economic growth, as well as enhancing recreational opportunities and cultural values.

“The Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee is looking for new community members to help deliver the goals of the CWMS in an urban environment. We need your knowledge, passion, experience, and ability to work collaboratively to help deliver benefits from Canterbury’s water resource to the local community.

“We are sure there are many people in the zone who are passionate about making a positive difference in water management and we encourage them to put their names forward,” he said.

The Christchurch–West Melton Zone Committee was formed in late 2011 to work with the community to make consensus based decisions about water management in the zone.

The committee's Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) for water management was developed with the community in 2011 to deliver the targets of the CWMS. The committee’s focus is now on implementing its priority recommendations for water management.

Some of its key priorities include earthquake recovery, water efficiency, stormwater management and the ecological values of the Avon - Heathcote Estuary / Ihutai.

Prospective candidates must be able to attend the committee meetings, and live in or have a significant relationship with the zone. Candidates will be notified by mid-February if they have been shortlisted.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in a selection workshop at which they will be asked to make a presentation and participate in an assessment workshop.

For more information, or for an expression of interest form, visit www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater or phone Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636.

The Christchurch - West Melton Zone Committee operates as a joint committee of Christchurch City and Selwyn District councils and Environment Canterbury. It features six community members as well as three Rūnanga representatives and three from council.

Expressions of interest are due by 12 February 2014.

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