On the ground action key to improving local waterways

The Christchurch-West Melton Zone Committee will meet for its first monthly water management meeting for 2014 on Wednesday (29 January).

Ian Fox, Christchurch - West Melton Zone Committee Chair, said the committee will be particularly focused on progressing on-the-ground actions this year.

“Our priority for 2014 is to work more closely with councils and the community to make real progress towards improving local waterways.

“Now that we have had a working Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) in place for around ten months we need to start making some real traction to deliver its recommendations.

“At Wednesday’s meeting we will agree to our work programme for the coming year which outlines and prioritises the on-the-ground actions for councils to implement to ensure our goals are met.

“Some of our priorities for 2014 include earthquake recovery, water efficiency, and stormwater management, and we will be calling on the community to come along to a meeting and have their say.

“We also currently have a number of vacancies for community members to join the committee so we would encourage anyone with an interest in working collaboratively to improve local waterways to get involved,” he said.

The zone committee is particularly looking for people who can see others’ points of views and work collaboratively to find solutions for water issues to join the committee. Prospective candidates must be able to attend the committee meetings, and live in, or have a significant relationship with the zone.

For more information about joining the Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee, visit www.ecan.govt.nz/canterburywater or phone Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636.

At Wednesday’s meeting the committee will receive an update from Environment Canterbury on the progress being made to implement the recommendations outlined in the Christchurch – West Melton ZIP.

The ZIP was finalised in April 2013 following numerous meetings, workshops, fieldtrips, and community engagement. It now forms the basis for informing water management work programmes and drafting regional plans.

The committee will also receive a report from Environment Canterbury on its reviews of the two key initial “action on the ground” components of the CWMS implementation – the Land Use and Water Quality (LUWQ) programme and the Immediate Steps programme.

Following this, committee members will receive Environment Canterbury’s 2012/13 Water Use Report which helps measure the region’s progress on meeting water use efficiency targets as outlined in the CWMS.

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

Meeting details
Christchurch – West Melton Zone Committee meeting
6pm, Wednesday, 29 January
The Boardroom, Fendalton Service Centre, corner of Clyde and Jeffreys Roads

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