Consultation Report

October 2008

Introduction

The Canterbury Water Management Strategy is an opportunity to help set the direction for the future management of water in Canterbury.

The pressure on the region’s water resources continues to grow.  We need to ensure that the use of water happens in the very best interests of the whole region.

Did You Know

  • 70,000 million cubic metres of snow, rain and hail fall in Canterbury in a typical year.
  • 66% of New Zealand’s irrigated land is in Canterbury.
  • In the seven years to 2006 there was a 49% increase in water allocated for irrigation in Canterbury.
  • About 65% of New Zealand’s storage capacity for hydroelectricity is in Canterbury.
  • Christchurch is one of few major cities in the world where residents are supplied with untreated pristine underground water.

The Challenge

It is now critical that a long term strategy is developed to ensure the water resource is managed fairly and sustainably.   That is the purpose of this Canterbury Water Management Strategy, which is being developed under the leadership of the Mayoral Forum, which comprises the mayors of territorial authorities, the chair of the regional council and local government chief executives for Canterbury. 

We have debated water management often in the past but we have not been able to create a strategy which has the support of the majority of the people of Canterbury.  This is an issue that too often finds us at loggerheads rather than agreement.

The Document

The document contains the views of over 250 Cantabrians representing local organisations who have so far participated in the strategy development process.

They have told us how they see the uses and benefits of water.  We have recorded those uses and benefits in the words of those who spoke them. From those we have drafted a set of fundamental principles or "must haves" to guide the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.  The Steering Group for this strategy-building programme would like to know what you think about these fundamental principles.

I thank you in anticipation of your involvement.

Bede O’Malley
Chair
Steering Group

Have your say

This is one of two opportunities to provide feedback to the strategy-building programme. An extensive public consultation on a series of options for the future of Canterbury Water will take place in April/May 2009.

The consultation document is published in two parts:

An overview intended for stakeholders and the public
The first part contains an introduction, the draft Fundamental Principles and an overview of what Canterbury people have said to us about water management. We request that anyone (public and stakeholders) interested in water management provide feedback to us on these Fundamental Principles and the summary.

A detailed schedule of uses and benefits more intended for stakeholder feedback
A much more detailed breakdown of what we were told by stakeholders at workshops held around the region is contained in the second part. We would greatly appreciate feedback on this section from stakeholders. A method of responding is explained in Section B and we would urge you to use this, but you are also welcome to make any other comments.

Draft Report - 10 Fundamental Principles

The document containing the uses and benefits for water for consultation received 30 submissions. A draft report on the submissions received and the comments on the submissions is available below.

How To Provide Feedback

Please take this opportunity to have your say on the future management of Canterbury’s water.

You can send your feedback to us by:

  • Mailing: Canterbury Water Management Strategy, P O Box 345, Christchurch
  • Emailing: info@canterburywater.org.nz
  • Direct onto this website, by ticking the submissions box and entering your comments in the form.

Submissions will remain open until 20 November 2008. A final report, including input received from the public, will be published on this website when available.