MEDIA RELEASE
20 March 2012

Have your say on local water management

The Kaikōura Zone Committee wants to hear people’s views on local water management issues.

The committee is hosting two meetings to update the community on its progress and to listen to local feedback on the water management priorities for the zone.

These priorities will guide the committee as it develops its recommendations for water management in its draft Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP).

“The Kaikōura Zone Committee has been working hard to understand water management issues in our zone and begin to develop solutions,” said Derrick Millton, Chair of the Kaikōura Zone Committee.

“We have had briefings from technical experts, field trips around the district, as well as meetings with stakeholders to gauge the range of views on water management issues in our zone.

“We are now at the point where we can talk with people on what we believe the priorities for water management in the zone and listen to what people think needs to be done to address water issues,” he said.

The draft ZIP will recommend the actions, responsibilities and time-frames for activities to achieve the principles, targets and goals set out in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

A further series of community meetings will be held to give people a chance to review the draft ZIP and provide feedback. The draft ZIP is expected to be available by the middle of the year.

Derrick Millton said community input is fundamental to the success of achieving the multiple targets set out in the CWMS.

“This month’s feedback meetings are integral to progressing water management solutions in our zone.

“How we manage water has an influence on our quality of life and prosperity, both now, and for future generations. We need local’s ideas to be able to develop a meaningful programme of recommendations for the councils and other stakeholders.

“The two public meetings are an ideal opportunity for people to have their say on some important issues so we expect there will be plenty of interest,” he said.

Some of the issues the committee will be seeking feedback on include improving the health of local streams and wetlands, protecting and improving drinking water quality, and enhancing the region's celebrated biodiversity.

The Kaikōura water management zone committee was officially launched in July 2011 as a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Kaikōura District Council .

The meeting is expected to last about 1.5 hours and there will be time afterwards to have an informal chat if that is what people would prefer.

Kaikōura Zone Committee public meetings:

Tuesday 27 March, 7.30pm at Woodbank School Hall (Clarence)
Wednesday 28 March, 7.30pm at Supper Room, Memorial Hall, Kaikōura.

ENDS

© Scoop Media