Upcoming meetings

Committee meeting schedule.

Latest media releases

View the latest media releases for the Upper Waitaki Committee:

• 4 April 2012: Water and land management – good progress in Waitaki

Activities and actions

Since its formation in February 2011 the Upper Waitaki Zone Committee has met nine times to bring members up to speed on water issues in the region.

At its November 2011 meeting the committee began to discuss its draft programme for water management which was discussed in greater detail at its December and January meetings.

The committee is responsible for developing a Implementation Programme for the zone which will recommend the actions, responsibilities and time-frames for activities to help achieve the principles, targets and goals set out in the CWMS.

In November 2011 the committee engaged with stakeholders and community members about the priorities for water management that will guide the content of the Zone Implementation Programme.

The committee finalised its draft ZIP at its February 2012 meeting and copies of it were made available for community feedback via public meetings and on-line submissions, which closed in March.

In March the committee held a work shop to look at industry discharges to the Waimakariri River, the Ashley River Rating District, and the Waimakariri River Regional Plan.

At previous meetings the committee received presentations on the state of groundwater in the area, community drinking water quality, and were updated on the Land and Water Plan.

The committee has also received presentations on:

• Climate variability
• Land use and water quality
• Strategic assessment of water infrastructure options
• Energy options
• Biodiversity funding

The zone committee has also been on a number of field trips to visit sites of interest and engage with community members. One trip went to a Haldon Road farm to meet with community members and hear from them about current land and water issues.

The Upper Waitaki Zone Committee typically has a field trip every third meeting to give them an opportunity to meet with the community and stakeholders.

Environment Canterbury working with...