Hurunui water moratorium announced

The Government has approved a special measure blocking any water being taken from the Hurunui River for the next 15 months.

Environment Minister Nick Smith has this morning announced his approval for the moratorium on new water takes from Canterbury's fourth largest river. Once passed by Environment Canterbury Commissioners tomorrow, it will apply from this Friday, July 23 to October 1 next year.

Smith's approval for the moratorium is the first time that special powers under the Environment Canterbury Act (2010) have been used. The act was passed under urgency earlier this year after the Government sacked the regional council - Envrionment Canterbury - and replaced it with seven un-elected commisioners.

The commissioners have been charged with better-organising Canterbury's resources - especially water for irrigation on the growing number of dairy farms.

Smith said the stop on water takes from the Hurunui would allow the commissioners to apply a coherent approach to water management in the region.

"The Hurunui moratorium proposal makes good sense when there is no proper plan for the river and catchment," Smith said.

"It will provide much-needed breathing space in which stakeholders can develop a balanced and comprehensive plan for the Hurunui River ahead of major decisions on proposals for irrigation development and water conservation orders that will impact upon the future of the river for generations to come."

The commissioners had written to Smith on Monday asking for his approval for the moratorium.

Smith said it would have been "a legal mess and a procedural nightmare" to have decisions on a 42,000 hectare Hurunui Water Project being considered separately from a proposed water conservation plan for the river.

"This moratorium ... provides a window of opportunity for a collaborative local approach in which provision is made for both the economic development and environmental sustainability of the Hurunui River."

Irrigation development in Canterbury needed to occur in a planned and sustainable way, Smith said.