Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee appoints community members

Four community members have been appointed to the Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee as part of a process to ensure a wide range of views are reflected.

The new appointments are Andrew Hayes, Mark Giles, Mark Kingsbury and Bruce Murphy. The other community members on the committee are Robin Murphy (Chair), Brent Packman, Elizabeth Rollinson, and Kate White. Robin Murphy will finish on the committee in December.

The Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee is one of 10 water management committees set up in 2010 and 2011 as part of the collaborative Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) to develop community-led recommendations to provide sustainable benefits from our water resource.

It is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimate and Waitaki District Councils. Each of Canterbury’s ten zone committees has community members, an Environment Canterbury Commissioner, Councillors from the relevant district council, and representatives from Ngāi Tahu Rūnanga – in this case Moeraki, Arowhenua and Waihao.

Christina Robb, Programme Manager Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), said the selection process focussed on finding people who can see others’ points of views and work collaboratively to find solutions for water issues.

“The CWMS is an innovative approach to managing fresh water. It’s about finding the best ways to restore our environment and provide for viable farming and communities throughout the region.

“We were pleased with the quality of the applicants and we’re sure the committee has a good balance of community representatives who are passionate about making a positive difference to local water management.

“Each of Canterbury’s ten zone committees is focused on local actions to deliver the gains envisaged by the CWMS. This includes encouraging good management practices from all land users, working to improve biodiversity and ecosystems, improving urban stormwater quality, nutrient management, and the reliability of water for irrigation, and making sure there is a safe supply of water for local communities,” she said.

During the past two years the Lower Waitaki - South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee has been particularly focussed on water quality and has made recommendations for both the South Canterbury Coastal area and for the Waitaki catchment.

The community-developed ZIP Addendum was accepted by councils earlier and provides the water quality limits and non-statutory actions required to implement the goals and aspirations of the CWMS in the zone.

The committee’s focus over the next few years will be on restoring Wainono Lagoon, maintaining the high water quality in the Waitaki River, realising the gains from consented irrigation schemes, and working with farmers on the actions needed to meet the water quality limits.

These limits will be part of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, and set statutory requirements for farm environmental plans and nutrient caps.

ENDS

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