Waikouaiti minimum flow process has community buy-in

Otago Regional Council (ORC) staff came away from a recent water management workshop in Waikouaiti impressed with the strong community interest in the Waikouaiti River and its future.

The meeting, attended by 22 people, was the first in a series aimed at setting a minimum flow for the river.

The minimum flow stops the taking of water from a river when that level is reached. It provides for the preservation of key ecosystems, preserves a catchment's natural character; retains ecological values and uses, and provides some permitted and community water takes.

"A river is used and valued in many different ways by local communities. There was good representation of various viewpoints - it was a very productive workshop," ORC director of policy and resource planning Fraser McRae said.

"A good level of community discussion meant we came away with a detailed picture of how the Waikouaiti River and catchment is used and valued," Mr McRae said.

The Waikouaiti River supports various activities - from agriculture (irrigation and stock drinking water), to community water supply; to fishing and boating; and appreciation and enjoyment of the river and estuary, and the associated wildlife.

"It is an active community, with a strong interest in the river and its future," Mr McRae said.

Information from the meeting on the catchment values will be used to help evaluate a range of possible minimum flows. The effects of these flows will be presented to the community for further discussion at a meeting later his year.

Once finalized, the proposed minimum flow and primary allocation regime will then be notified as a proposed change to Otago's Water Plan next year.