The Lower Waitaki – South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee finalised its water management Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP) at its February meeting.

The ZIP recommends actions, responsibilities and time-frames for activities to help achieve the principles, targets and goals set out in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

It provides around 50 recommendations to councils and other stakeholders to provide future generations with the greatest environmental, cultural, social and economic benefits from the region’s water.

In March the committee presented its final ZIP to Environment Canterbury Commissioners who endorsed its as the basis for the design and realignment of council work and planning programmes for freshwater. The Waimate and Waitaki District Councils have also endorsed the ZIP.

The Committee has worked collaboratively with stakeholders and community members to develop recommendations for water management that are acceptable to a wide range of interests.

The recommendations are focussed around six key priority areas; water quality and nutrient management, reliability of supply, Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan, Wainono lagoon and catchment, Hakataramea catchment needs, and biodiversity protection.

Read the ZIP (2 MB)

Draft ZIP

The draft ZIP was released in late October 2011 and comments and feedback were called for. Public meetings were held prior to the development of the ZIP and then post the development of the draft ZIP at locations across the zone.

Read the written feedback on the draft ZIP

Canterbury Water Management Strategy Targets

Please refer also to the CWMS Targets which define what needs to be achieved.