Latest news with #TeRūnangaOArowhenua
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rūnanga Appeals Canterbury Water Rehab Project Consent
Local rūnanga are appealing the consent approval for the expansion of a significant Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project, as they fear the move will put added pressure on the Rangitata River. However, the trust behind the environmental project says the decision to appeal "is a kick in the guts" for the district. Commissioners granted resource consents to Rangitata Diversion Race Management and Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust on April 30 to expand the groundwater rehabilitation project. Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua, which had opposed the consent application, filed its appeal to the Environment Court on May 21. The consents are to source water from the Rangitata Diversion Race to operate water aquifer and recharge sites at 37 locations, 15 existing and 22 new sites. The aquifer sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater. In the consent decision, the independent panel stated the consent applications were only about what RDRML's existing allocation could be used for. 'There is no take application before us,' the consent decision stated. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua argued that the panel got that aspect of the decision, and some other factors, wrong. Upoko (head) Tewera King said Arowhenua 'do not agree with the concept of taking water from one water body, and using it, in the way that has been proposed here, to improve unhealthy water'. 'It is not addressing the fundamental problem of why water is unhealthy in the first place. 'We believe the decision we are appealing would result in an increased actual take of water from the Rangitata River in circumstances where the river is already over-allocated. 'It also further diminishes the effectiveness of the Rangitata Water Conservation Order to protect outstanding characteristics of the river that are highly valued by Kāti Huirapa (hapū of Ngāi Tahu). 'We demand long-term thinking that provides for intergenerational prosperity and resilience.' Arowhenua wants the decision overturned and the application to be declined. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust chairperson Peter Lowe said he was disappointed by the appeal. The environmental enhancement project had been set up by an inclusive, collaborative process, which included Arowhenua, he said. 'Its proven track record of positive environmental gains to biodiversity and water bodies was recognised by the independent commissioners in granting consents to expand the project,' Lowe said. 'To have this decision appealed is a kick in the guts for our district, the collaborative design process, and not least our environment and biodiversity.' Arowhenua had supported the initial water enhancement project starting in 2016 but has opposed the planned expansion of the project. The appeal comes at the same time that Ngāi Tahu's High Court case against the Crown to get a declaration that the tribe has legal rights over freshwater in its territory. Ngāi Tahu representatives are attempting to get real engagement on designing a better way to manage lakes, rivers and waterways that are becoming increasingly polluted, according to industry body Water NZ. Frustration at 'long, expensive' process The consents were initially lodged in 2022 and approved by the independent commissioners in April. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust now faces potentially another year before it can get the expansion up and running, with the environment losing out, Lowe said. Lowe was scathing of ECan's consent process when providing an update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee on Tuesday. 'They have put us through an extremely long, expensive, and torturous process. 'I think they need to hang their heads in shame to what they have done to this community.' The consenting process has cost the trust almost $600,000 so far. The Trust's sole funding source is from ECan, through the Targeted Hinds Regional Environmental Infrastructure Rate. That is causing community frustration as the service they are being rated for isn't being met due to the ongoing consent process, and subsequent appeal, Lowe said Water and land manager Pim De Monch said ECan continue monitoring the funding to ensure it's being used for its intended purpose. 'We appreciate the Trust's environmental infrastructure work programme is complex and long-term, and it takes time to be able to scope, consent, and deliver it.' ECan regulatory Implementation general manager Paul Hulse said the new resource consents will not proceed until any appeals to the Environment Court are resolved. 'HHWET can continue operating under their existing consents in the meantime.'
Scoop
09-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Massive Water Rehab Project Celebrates ‘Win For The Environment'
New Zealand's largest managed groundwater rehabilitation project has been given the greenlight to expand. The community group behind the water improvement scheme in Mid Canterbury is "delighted" it's been given consent to upscale their work to improve groundwater and river quality. More than two years after it lodged a resource consent application, the Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust (HHWET) has been granted consent, with conditions, to expand. The Trust said in a statement they were "delighted with this decision to grant the consents, which is a win for the environment'. The group declined to comment further while the independent panel's decision is open to appeal. HHWET applied for consent to operate Managed Aquifer Recharge and Near River Recharge sites at 37 locations, 15 existing and 22 new sites. The aquifer sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater. This enhances ground and surface water quality and quantity. Near River Recharge is the same but is located in a river's flood plain, so that river flow and quality are enhanced. The group wanted to use water from Rangitata Diversion Race Management Limited (RDRML) - a 67km long canal that distributes water throughout the Mid Canterbury region. This required consent to allow the water use as part of the process. The applications were notified in June 2024 and received 79 submissions - nine opposed and the rest in support. Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua opposed the consent application on the basis there was "little rational basis for the Panel to take a gamble on such a risky and ineffective proposal, when the downside for important environments and values is so significant'. Save The Rivers Mid Canterbury also opposed the application as it believed it was better to leave the water in the river, than "use it to cover up the results of intense farm practices'. After a four-day hearing in December, the independent panel sought additional information from the applicants and independent legal advice. The panel released its 114-page decision last week that outlines how the panel believes the opposing concerns have been addressed. The applicants said there would be positive effects on ground water levels and decreased nitrate levels in downgradient waterbodies resulting from the trial, as well as increasing river (surface water) flows and ecological benefits, the decision said. The panel included additional monitoring conditions to provide greater certainty around the outcomes. The panel also noted submitters referenced an economic analysis in 2023 that without Managed Aquifer Recharge, it would be an 'economically catastrophic for Mid Canterbury urban and rural communities'. Submissions touched on the 'unfavourable economic implications' of not meeting targets set through the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and Canterbury Land and Water Plan. One of those concerns was that additional water would be taken from the Rangitata River by the RDRML to support the Managed Aquifer Recharge use. The panel determined the consent was about what RDRML's existing allocation could be used for. Hekeao/Hinds Water Enhancement Trust will use what water is available from the existing take. 'There is no take application before us,' the consent decision states. 'The fact remains however that RDRML will take its full allocation of water. 'If the water is not used for MAR (Managed Aquifer Recharge), it will be used for one or more of the purposes specified in RDRML's consent. 'In this regard, we think it unrealistic for those opposing submitters to invite us to refuse consent on the basis that the water should (and would, they say, if consent is refused) remain in the Rangitata River.'
