Booklet on water 'too complicated'

An opinion survey expert is blasting efforts to give the public a say on the future of Canterbury's water.

A booklet outlining the four options in the Canterbury water management strategy (CWMS) was delivered to householders in the region a fortnight ago.

Organisers say they have been receiving 20 to 30 submissions a day from the public, and now have more than 250.

However, Massey University professor of marketing Phil Gendall believes the booklet is too complicated for general consumption. Gendall was asked to study it by environmental group the Gama Foundation, which last year funded a separate survey on water.

"The idea is that people being consulted understand what they are being consulted about," Gendall said. "But the way it has been written, it is extremely difficult for people to work that out.

"I suspect most people will ignore it, although water in Canterbury is a pretty hot topic, so that might encourage people.

"It is written in a very difficult style. I found it difficult to follow."

However, Gendall appreciated it was difficult to summarise complex technical issues.

"Oversimplification is one risk, and sometimes it is very difficult to present a balanced view of the pros and cons of alternative options, and even more difficult to do this precisely," Gendall said.

Strategy steering group chairman and Ashburton District Mayor Bede O'Malley said the Gama Foundation and Gendall misunderstood the point of the booklet.

"The document and the process so far is all about creating a sustainable future for Canterbury's water.

"It is not a public survey, and was never intended to be. It is a request for comment.

"It is a complex issue. Public meetings we're having next week are an opportunity, like the annual plan process, to inform people about the strategy so they can ask questions."

Gama Foundation trustee Grant Nelson said a new strategy steering group should be established to act in the "best interests" of Cantabrians.

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