New Zealand First Hopeful On Waitaki Bill

New Zealand First is hopeful that the Government can produce a water allocation framework that can be used as a national model with the amended Waitaki River legislation.

Environment spokesperson Jim Peters said the announcement by Environment Minister Marian Hobbs that the Waitaki Bill is to proceed is welcomed, “as long as they can get it right.”

“The immense body of work done by Meridian Energy, by regional and local councils, and by submitters to the original bill is too precious to be wasted.

“It is to be hoped that an appropriate framework will be developed which will enable all those who share an interest in the river to make submissions to a new water allocation body.

“The bill should allow for proper consideration of allocative principles when dealing with water bodies, and should ensure that conflicting demands are appropriately analysed.

“The continued bill should enable certainty and the long term protection of the health of the Waitaki River,” said Mr Peters.

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