MR Strategy a reality with launch of inaugural committee

An innovative committee tasked with developing a long term programme to guide the future use and protection of the district’s water resource has been launched by Environment Minister Nick Smith in Hanmer Springs. (Friday July 16)

The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee is the first of 11 to be established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

Hurunui District mayor Garry Jackson says while there has been an enormous amount of work on the Strategy over the past few years, in his mind, it is only now that the committee is actually up and running that it becomes a reality.

“This launch is a significant achievement for the local community marking the start of a positive and collaborative process for water management.

“We are confident the new committee will pick up the challenge before them and begin to develop the broad water management programme for our area with skill, urgency, robust debate, and an overriding sense of collaboration and pursuit of win/win solutions for us all.”

Environment Canterbury chair Dame Margaret Bazley sees the committee’s launch as not only an important milestone for the Hurunui-Waiau zone but also for the future of water management throughout Canterbury.

“The role of this committee is to develop an action programme for water management in this zone,” says Dame Margaret.

“It is the first step in implementing a framework that has the potential to become the blueprint for water management in New Zealand as the demand for water continues to increase.”

The Hurunui-Waiau zone committee is made up of seven community representatives - John Faulkner, Ken Hughey, Andrew Harris, Mike Hodgen, Michele Hawke, Tony Hawker, and David Eder - along with two council representatives, Winton Dalley from Hurunui and Environment Canterbury Commissioner David Bedford.

Representatives from Kaikoura and Tuahuriri Runanga are yet to be confirmed.

Dame Margaret says a key objective for Environment Canterbury is the completion of an operative water plan for the region. There is also an understanding of the need for community and stakeholder engagement and input in the decision-making process.

Commissioners fully endorsed the Canterbury Water Management Strategy at a council meeting in May 2010.

“The issues facing all the zone committees are challenging and there is much more planning and operational decisions that will need to be made as the Strategy moves forward,” said Dame Margaret.

“I am confident that by working collaboratively, all parties involved in this process can achieve a framework through which we can make sound, balanced decisions for the successful long-term management of water resources of Canterbury.”