Media release
24 February 2014

Community asked for input on local water issues

The Ashburton Zone Committee is hosting a community information day on Tuesday 25 February to talk with people about water quality and quantity in the Hinds Plains Catchment.

At the information day local people will have a chance to find out more about the zone committee’s draft recommendations, what they mean for them, and let the committee know what they like and don’t like about them.

Ashburton Zone Committee Chair Matthew Hall said Setting and managing limits for water quality, quantity, and nutrients is crucial to reaching a balance between the competing demands for water use in the zone.

“The underlying philosophy of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) is that local communities should be making decisions on local water management.

“The community has told us it wants better water quality and river flows in the Hinds Plains area. We want to know if local people think our draft recommendations are what is needed to meet their expectations for water use, while ensuring water quality in the area is protected.

“There are also regional and national requirements to set river flows and nutrient levels to improve freshwater quality.

“The public information day is an ideal opportunity for people to discuss some important issues so we expect there will be plenty of interest,” he said.

Once finalised, the water management recommendations will feed in to the Hinds Sub-regional Plan which is one tool to deliver the goals and targets of the CWMS in the area.

Two sessions will be held at the open day and each will start with a technical question and answer session and a brief overview of the recommendations.

Community members will then be able to talk with committee members and Environment Canterbury staff, and provide their feedback.

Feedback can also be provided in writing prior to 3 March by writing to: Sarah Hunt, Environment Canterbury, PO Box 345 Christchurch. Or email sarah.hunt@ecan.govt.nz .

The planning area for the Hinds Plains Catchment is located between the Ashburton groundwater zone and the Rangitata River, and includes the Hinds River, lowland streams and two groundwater zones (Mayfield-Hinds and Valetta).

For more information visit www.ecan.govt.nz/hinds or phone Environment Canterbury Customer Services on 0800 324 636.

Meeting information - Hinds Plains Catchment

Ashburton Zone Committee Information Day
When: Tuesday 25 February 2014
Where: Hinds Community Centre, 20 Rogers Street, Hinds
Morning session: 10am – 12pm
Afternoon session: 1pm – 3pm

ENDS

© Scoop Media