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The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is being implemented in 2010 following several years of collaborative work by the Mayoral Forum, the Steering Group, Environment Canterbury and the region's 10 territorial authorities.
Strategic Framework
Canterbury Water Management Strategy Strategic Framework [PDF 2.8MB]
The Canterbury Water Management Strategy Strategic Framework summarises the overall approach and the delivery models we have adopted for the sustainable management and development of the region’s water resources in the years ahead.
Targets
The CWMS has a set of fundamental principles and targets that provide guidance and a framework for integrated water management. They establish clear balanced objectives that the strategy will be striving to achieve in fulfilment of its desired outcome.
The targets provide a measurement of progress and include a set of goals applying from 2010 that reflect the fundamental principles. Targets have been set for 2015, 2020 and 2040 to provide long-term markers that reflect a sustainable development approach.
Environment Canterbury Act 2010 – Implications for the strategy
The new Act gives the vision and principles, developed through widespread goodwill and collaboration, status in legislation. It requires Council Planning and resource consent decisions to have regard to that vision and those principles of the Strategy.
Other changes under the Act are the ability to impose moratoria over water take and discharge consents, and the changes to the Water Conservation Order process.
The first change – the imposition of moratoria – means that for the first time in New Zealand a regional council can impose a halt on water consents in an over-allocated zone.
The second change to Water Conservation Orders in Canterbury moves the responsibility for hearing applications from the Environment Court to the Environment Canterbury Commissioners, but the final decision remains with the Minister for the Environment.
View the Environment Canterbury Act 2010 »
How to apply to be appointed to a water management committee
People interested in applying to join a water management committee should register as a stakeholder at {getting involved}. Each committee needs capable, committed people who have the ability to work collaboratively, and with community stakeholders.
Expressions of Interest packs will be sent to stakeholders at the start of the appointment process for each of the water management committees. A notice will also be placed in the public notices of the Press and local papers advertising the start of the process.
Immediate Steps Biodiversity programme
Setting up a programme to improve the health of water ecosystems is a priority of the Strategy. The Immediate Steps Biodiversity programme is a key platform in addressing the environmental effects associated with water use.