Guiding our mahi for years to come
From setting strategic direction to guiding how we manage water, Councillors gathered on Wednesday to make important and influential decisions for Canterbury.
An adopted Annual plan and potential changes to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan were the headliners in a chamber of debate and discussion.
Chair Dr Deon Swiggs opened the meeting with an acknowledgement of former-Chair Jenny Hughey being named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Hughey was Chairperson of Environment Canterbury from 2019-2022 and was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to community law and governance.
Councillor John Sunckell also recognised Brigadier (retired) Neville Reilly, Canterbury’s Regional Civil Defence Controller from 2011-2021, who was awarded the Order of Timor Leste for his bravery during the restoration of independence there – an event that recently celebrated its 24th anniversary.
Deputations
The Council received a deputation from Dr Peter Trolove, on behalf of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers and supported by Paul Hodgson, in relation to Plan Change 8 and its potential impacts on freshwater in Canterbury.
Council received his deputation and agreed to provide a reply to his concerns as soon as practically possible.
Annual Plan 2026/27: Delivery, affordability and readiness
Council today adopted the Annual Plan 2026/27, which has confirmed continued investment in essential service while limiting the overall rates revenue increase to 2.4 per cent.
The Annual Plan sets out Environment Canterbury's priorities for the year ahead, including:
- Protecting and enhancing natural resources
- Supporting safe and reliable transport
- Strengthening resilience to climate change and natural hazards\
- Maintaining strong partnerships with mana whenua, local authorities and communities.
Plan Change 8
Today, Council voted to publicly notify Plan Change 8 to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan and consequential changes to two other water-related regional plans.
The proposed plan change aims to amend regional water planning rules to reduce barriers to infrastructure and environmental projects and provide a pathway for changes to how existing water consents are used, except for water bottling, which would not be permitted as a change of use.
It also supports wetland construction for nutrient management, flood prevention, habitat creation and other benefits.
The plan change will be open for submissions from 4 July until 4 August 2026 inclusive. Visit the PC8 page for information on how to make a submission and where to send/bring it.
Landholding Strategy
Councillors adopted a new Landholdings Strategy to guide the management of approximately 31,500 hectares of council-administered land.
The strategy is intended to support improved decision-making across flood protection, river management, biodiversity, climate resilience and partnerships with mana whenua.