Last Regional Delivery Committee meeting of the three-year term

The last meeting of the Regional Delivery Committee this triennium took place on Thursday 11 September.

It was a jam-packed agenda with discussion centring around how we’re implementing our Climate Action Plan, and a report on a private well study completed in June which shed further light on the issue of nitrate. There was also discussion on water quality results in the Upper Waitaki.

Climate Action Plan implementation

The committee received a 2024/25 update on implementing our Climate Action Plan (CAP), which was acknowledged to be on track and on budget, indicating strong progress on climate action by Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) and the region’s councils.

The CAP focuses on resilient communities, ecosystems, low emissions, and climate leadership. Achievements this year include:

• updated regional flood modelling and feasibility studies for nature-based solutions
• climate modelling for invasive species, pest control initiatives, and expanded native planting
• emissions data platform piloted, regional greenhouse gas inventory updated, zero-emission public transport expanded.

Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan

The Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan (CCPP), developed collaboratively by Canterbury’s 11 councils and coordinated by us, focuses on shared climate risk understanding, decision-making tools, and Te Tiriti-based action.

Achievements this year include:

• an environmental scan providing a foundation for development of an emissions reduction plan
• local emissions data platform trialled with 15 councils
• development of a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress to 2030 and 2050
• assessments for ecosystem vulnerability and a regional climate risk tool initiated.

Following recommendations from the Office of the Auditor-General about local government climate action, we've strengthened governance and reporting with clearly defined roles and responsibilities across all groups to deliver climate actions outlined in both the CAP and the CCPP.

Private well testing pilot report

The Regional Delivery Committee received a report on a private well testing pilot study completed in June. It responded to a resolution passed by the Regional Delivery Committee on 12 February 2025. The study also included a regional awareness campaign encouraging testing and maintaining private drinking water supplies.

Eighteen wells near Burnham, in the Selwyn district, were sampled between May and June 2025, with 44 per cent exceeding the maximum acceptable value (MAV) for nitrate-nitrogen. E. coli was detected in 17 per cent of well samples.

Actions continue to reduce the impact of nitrate contamination, with findings from the pilot contributing to a broader community dataset and informing future engagement.

Upper Waitaki water quality results

The latest annual water quality monitoring results for the Upper Waitaki catchment were presented to the Regional Delivery Committee. The results highlight a mixed picture across nine lakes and 14 rivers, with implications for land and water management. These results will inform future decisions on consents, land use, and environmental protection in this sensitive and valued catchment.

• Six lakes, including Takapō/Tekapo, Pūkaki, Benmore, and Ōhau, met water quality limits.
• Alexandrina, Aviemore, and Kellands Pond exceeded limits this year.
• The Ahuriri Arm of Lake Benmore triggered an early warning threshold, prompting nutrient reduction efforts for a small group of landowners.
• Nine of 12 river sites exceeded nitrate limits, and four exceeded phosphorus limits.

The briefing also outlined our response, including targeted land management in the Ahuriri catchment, new consent expectations, and collaborative efforts with rūnanga, landowners, and catchment groups.

The Love Our Lakes campaign will also return this summer to promote responsible environmental behaviour.

Groundwater levels report

The Regional Delivery Committee received a report on groundwater levels and spring-fed streams in Canterbury ahead of summer. Monitoring showed a strong recovery compared with 2024, when conditions were very dry.

• 58 per cent of monitored wells were classified as “high” to “very high,” reflecting significant recharge from above-average rainfall in May and June.
• Most spring-fed streams have been flowing at average to above-average levels.
• Some localised areas, such as Waipara and south of Timaru, remain lower, particularly in deeper aquifers with slower recharge.
• However, overall, conditions are healthy.

Seasonal forecasts suggest normal to below-normal rainfall through spring; however spring fed stream flows are expected to remain near to average heading into summer. While abstraction will reduce levels, widespread access issues are not anticipated.

The Committee also received an update on regulatory services, including planning, consenting and compliance.

Find out more

Missed the meeting? You can download the agenda (PDF file, 7.9MB), and catch the recorded session on our YouTube channel.