Latest news with #CanterburyWaterManagementStrategy
Scoop
5 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Water Committee Signs Off As Decision Looms On Replacement
The Ashburton Water Zone Committee signed off at their final meeting on Tuesday. Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown told the committee that the Canterbury Mayoral Forum will be deciding on the future model on Friday at its meeting in Kaikōura. Ten zone committees were launched, joint committees between Environment Canterbury and district councils, in 2010 to implement the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. The Mayoral Forum launched a review of the zone committees in 2023 to consider how best to include local leadership in freshwater decision-making. The new proposed model is for a local leadership group that will consist of ECan, district council, and Rūnanga representatives. Brown said he will be pushing the Ashburton District to retain a stand-alone group under the new structure, and for community representatives, from a local advisory group, to have a seat at the table. 'I can't see any reason why we won't get what we want in Ashburton.' The zone committee's final meeting had chairperson Bill Thomas, who joined the committee in 2016, have the final say. He covered the success, challenges, 'regulations, plan changes and solutions to local issues' the committee has tackled over the years and what the next steps are in the process towards a new model. Thomas thanked the committee members and the community members in attendance for their support and hoped the community voice the zone committee had championed wouldn't be lost in the new model. He hopes the proposed Mid Canterbury Advisory Group model will be a success. Committee member Angela Cushnie provided an update on the progress of forming the group to provide 'the voice of the local community to the Canterbury Mayoral Forum and Canterbury water management strategy in the development, implementation, and reporting' on regional and national policies. During the meeting, the committee received updates from various catchment and landcare groups. Hekeao Hinds Lowlands Catchment Group facilitator Phil Everest thanked the zone committee for their support over the years helping community-led environmental projects get off the ground. 'I think you can see clearly just what a little bit of seed funding can do to actually create good science and good work in our community that would have never have got off the ground without your support,' Everest said. The meeting also included a presentation from Ashburton Forks Catchment Group's Jono Allen, the son of Chris Allen who had served on the committee since 2014 until his death in a farm accident in December. Thomas said a plaque recognising Chris Allen's contribution to the community was being organised to be placed in the Forks catchment area near his family farm.
Scoop
6 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Community-Led Environmental Projects Receive $50,000 Boost
Six community-led environmental projects across Hurunui District are to share a funding boost of $50,000. Hurunui District councillors endorsed the six projects at this week's Council meeting. The funding is being provided through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Action Plan Budget for 2024/25 and is already allocated in Environment Canterbury's (ECan) Long-Term Plan 2024-34. In the absence of a Hurunui Waiau Uwha Zone Committee, the funding continues to be allocated by ECan for projects within the Hurunui Waiau Uwha Water Zone, with Hurunui Council staff also involved in the assessment of the applications, Council's Chief Strategy and Community Officer Judith Batchelor said. The six successful projects include the protection of 900-year old trees in an old-growth podocarp forest, the creation of a contemporary nohoanga site, and biodiversity and wetland protection projects. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black said it was exciting to see 'real grassroots, regeneration projects by local communities and landowners' being supported to protect waterways, restore habitats, and enhance biodiversity. 'These projects all demonstrate environmental stewardship and underline the values of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy,' Mayor Black said. The six funded projects include: Conway River Purple Willow Control - Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd ($9,000). This project will control invasive weeds, especially purple willow, to protect and restore the natural braided character of the Conway River, building on previous successful control work. Countess Stream Catchment Plan - Hurunui District Landcare Group on behalf of the Countess Stream Catchment Group ($9,605). The second phase of a multi-phase initiative, building on the significant investment of landowners, and focused on developing a contemporary nohoanga site, accelerating restoration efforts and enhancing mahinga kai sites along the Waiau Uwha River. Hermitage and Mt Palm Drain Restoration – Mount Palm Ltd ($10,000). This project aims to improve water quality and enhance biodiversity on a 1918 hectare sheep and beef property by fencing remaining waterways and establishing a staged riparian planting programme for the lowland spring-fed streams. Nga Manu o Conway – Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group ($8,625) Supporting biodiversity protection efforts by the Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group, which has collectively placed over 800 hectares of native bush under covenant protection, including old growth podocarp forest containing totara, matai, and kahikatea up to 900 years old. Wetland and Estuary Protection Northern Pegasus Bay - North Pegasus Bay Coastcare Inc. ($10,870). Protecting and enhancing the wetland areas at Ashworths Beach and the lagoons/estuaries of the Kowai and Waipara rivers from damage by motor vehicles, and support an education programme. Woolshed Creek Restoration – Cherie Hansen landowner ($1,900). An initiative to improve water quality and reduce sediment entering the waterway and increase biodiversity and natural habitat. Environment Canterbury staff will also assist two additional projects to secure alternative funding sources.
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Hurunui Environmental Projects Receive Funding Boost
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Six environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost from Environment Canterbury's Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget. Six North Canterbury environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost. The Hurunui District Council gave its support to funding totalling $50,000 from Environment Canterbury's (ECan) Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget, at a council meeting on Tuesday, May 27. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said she was impressed with the ''grassroots regeneration activity'' happening in the district. ''I felt quite excited when I read the report,'' she said The funding is usually allocated by the local zone committee, but the Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee was disbanded in 2019. In the absence of a zone committee, ECan staff considered eight applications totalling $143,549 and sought feedback from the council and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. A weed control project on the Conway River, to stop the spread of purple willow (Salix purpurea) and false tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), has been allocated $9000. The project will be led by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd, the business arm of the rūnanga, which provides employment opportunities for local youth. The Hurunui District Landcare Group applied for $50,000, but has been allocated $9605 to continue work implementing a catchment plan for Countess Stream, a subsidiary of the Waiau Uwha River. Funding of $10,000 has been allocated to continue a project to fence off waterways and complete riparian planting at Mt Palm, a 1918ha hill country property in the Amuri Basin. The Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group Nga Manu o Conway has been allocated $8625 to support ongoing work to protect native bush. Northern Pegasus Bay (Hurunui) Coastcare Inc applied for $29,914 and has been allocated $10,870 to support the protection of wetlands at Ashworths Beach, and protect bird nesting areas in the lagoons / estuaries of the Kowai and Waipara rivers. The remaining $1900 has been allocated to stage one of a $10,000 restoration project at Woolshed Creek. ECan land management and biodiversity advisor Andrew Turnbull said staff will work with the two unsuccessful applicants to explore other funding options. Those projects include the restoration of Moelean Swamp, in the Blythe River catchment, and efforts to protect the Spey Stream wetland. The remaining zone committees, which were established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), are due to be disestablished next month. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's 10 mayors and ECan, is due to meet on Friday, May 30, to decide on the future leadership under the CWMS. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
7 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Hurunui Environmental Projects Receive Funding Boost
Six North Canterbury environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost. The Hurunui District Council gave its support to funding totalling $50,000 from Environment Canterbury's (ECan) Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget, at a council meeting on Tuesday, May 27. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said she was impressed with the ''grassroots regeneration activity'' happening in the district. ''I felt quite excited when I read the report,'' she said The funding is usually allocated by the local zone committee, but the Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee was disbanded in 2019. In the absence of a zone committee, ECan staff considered eight applications totalling $143,549 and sought feedback from the council and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. A weed control project on the Conway River, to stop the spread of purple willow (Salix purpurea) and false tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), has been allocated $9000. The project will be led by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd, the business arm of the rūnanga, which provides employment opportunities for local youth. The Hurunui District Landcare Group applied for $50,000, but has been allocated $9605 to continue work implementing a catchment plan for Countess Stream, a subsidiary of the Waiau Uwha River. Funding of $10,000 has been allocated to continue a project to fence off waterways and complete riparian planting at Mt Palm, a 1918ha hill country property in the Amuri Basin. The Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group Nga Manu o Conway has been allocated $8625 to support ongoing work to protect native bush. Northern Pegasus Bay (Hurunui) Coastcare Inc applied for $29,914 and has been allocated $10,870 to support the protection of wetlands at Ashworths Beach, and protect bird nesting areas in the lagoons / estuaries of the Kowai and Waipara rivers. The remaining $1900 has been allocated to stage one of a $10,000 restoration project at Woolshed Creek. ECan land management and biodiversity advisor Andrew Turnbull said staff will work with the two unsuccessful applicants to explore other funding options. Those projects include the restoration of Moelean Swamp, in the Blythe River catchment, and efforts to protect the Spey Stream wetland. The remaining zone committees, which were established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), are due to be disestablished next month. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's 10 mayors and ECan, is due to meet on Friday, May 30, to decide on the future leadership under the CWMS. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Projects get $50k funding boost
Six North Canterbury environmental projects are set to receive a funding boost. The Hurunui District Council gave its support to funding totalling $50,000 from Environment Canterbury's (ECan) Hurunui-Waiau Uwha zone action plan budget, at a council meeting on Tuesday, May 27. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said she was impressed with the ''grassroots regeneration activity'' happening in the district. ''I felt quite excited when I read the report,'' she said The funding is usually allocated by the local zone committee, but the Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zone Committee was disbanded in 2019. In the absence of a zone committee, ECan staff considered eight applications totalling $143,549 and sought feedback from the council and Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura. A weed control project on the Conway River, to stop the spread of purple willow (Salix purpurea) and false tamarisk (Myricaria germanica), has been allocated $9000. The project will be led by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura Ltd, the business arm of the rūnanga, which provides employment opportunities for local youth. The Hurunui District Landcare Group applied for $50,000, but has been allocated $9605 to continue work implementing a catchment plan for Countess Stream, a subsidiary of the Waiau Uwha River. Funding of $10,000 has been allocated to continue a project to fence off waterways and complete riparian planting at Mt Palm, a 1918ha hill country property in the Amuri Basin. The Conway Landcare Biodiversity Group Nga Manu o Conway has been allocated $8625 to support ongoing work to protect native bush. Northern Pegasus Bay (Hurunui) Coastcare Inc applied for $29,914 and has been allocated $10,870 to support the protection of wetlands at Ashworths Beach, and protect bird nesting areas in the lagoons / estuaries of the Kowai and Waipara rivers. The remaining $1900 has been allocated to stage one of a $10,000 restoration project at Woolshed Creek. ECan land management and biodiversity advisor Andrew Turnbull said staff will work with the two unsuccessful applicants to explore other funding options. Those projects include the restoration of Moelean Swamp, in the Blythe River catchment, and efforts to protect the Spey Stream wetland. The remaining zone committees, which were established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS), are due to be disestablished next month. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum, which brings together the region's 10 mayors and ECan, is due to meet on Friday, May 30, to decide on the future leadership under the CWMS. By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
