Appeal for Funding: Marlborough Sounds & Mackenzie Country

Friday, 7 April 2017, 1:50 pm
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

Last week EDS sent a letter by mail to many on our database asking for support for two important areas we are involved in: the Marlborough Sounds and the Mackenzie Country. Thanks to those who have responded positively already.

Protecting the environment, our special landscapes and the places that are so important to New Zealanders is an ongoing battle. Win one skirmish and almost always another one looms.

That is why we are so grateful for all our wonderful supporters who contributed to our last request for support, and why we are asking once again. We are still fighting hard to preserve two iconic parts of New Zealand.

THE MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS

We believe that our landscapes are fundamental to who we are as New Zealanders and we are the primary organisation acting as their guardian. The Marlborough Sounds is one of those special places and their unique landscapes and water quality are being threatened by incremental development of aquaculture. We were successful, in 2014, in preventing King Salmon Limited from establishing salmon farms on sites in the outer Marlborough Sounds.

But these issues do not go away, and now King Salmon is having another go. This time it has the Ministry for Primary Industries onside, and the process is dodgy: the Ministry is effectively a co-applicant with the company and its Minister makes the decision. He will be using special powers under Section 360 of the Resource Management Act that enable override of the Marlborough District Council’s plan provisions that protect the outer Sounds from development.

If these new farms are established, they will compromise the natural values of the outer Sounds; their special wild and rugged landscapes, high water quality, and superb recreational opportunities. We believe we need to stop this proposal in its tracks and come up with a better solution that protects the environment of the Sounds. But to do this we need your help.

THE MACKENZIE COUNTRY

The Mackenzie Country is a unique and outstanding landscape. We wrote to our supporters before Christmas, seeking support for the urgent proceedings we brought in the Environment Court. These were aimed at closing the loophole in the Mackenzie District Council Plan that was allowing the spread of green irrigation circles in this precious dryland landscape.

Those proceedings were successful. The Council agreed to initiate an urgent plan change, which has been notified, and the court decided it should have immediate effect. Our thanks go to those who backed that case.

To build on that success we need to put more effort into protecting the area by:

• Making a submission supporting the Christmas Plan Change

• Mounting a full-scale case in the Environment Court on the longer term provisions in the plan regarding ecological and landscape conservation

• Pushing central government hard to improve tenure review outcomes and to support the Mackenzie Country Trust

• Actively engaging with Land Information New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and Environment Canterbury to achieve a more consistent and joined-up policy platform to protect the balance of the Mackenzie Country from land use change and pivot irrigators.

Please help us! Your donation to these very important appeals will enable us to strongly pursue tangible and current efforts to save these two highly valued parts of our country.

Donations to EDS are tax deductible. You can support EDS in any of these ways:

1. Go to EDS's website and donate with your credit card via our secure online system, indicating which case (or cases) you wish to support. Online Donation Form

2. Complete the attached form and return it to us with your donation/credit card details. Donation Form (pdf)

3. Call us at the EDS office with your credit card details. 09 302 2972.

4. Make a one-off donation or set up a regular donation via your bank. Our bank details are on the attached form. Complete the form and return it to us to ensure you receive your tax receipt.

We WILL make a difference!

© Scoop Media

Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

Contact Environmental Defence Society

• Website - www.eds.org.nz
• Email - manager@eds.org.nz
• Phone - + 64 9 302 2972
• Link - EDS National Conference
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