Water strategies discussed

South Canterbury stakeholders last night debated how best to manage the region's water for future generations. But they were given four different options.

Representatives from more than 30 organisations, including Federated Farmers, Environment Canterbury (ECan) and the Canterbury District Health Board, participated in Canterbury Water strategy's stakeholder consultation.

The meeting at the Greyway Lounge discussed four strategies. These included keeping the "status quo" for consent applications, emphasising environmental protection, a collaborative approach between existing and future consent holders and emphasising infrastructure development.

Consultations have already been held at Christchurch and Darfield. ECan chief executive Bryan Jenkins said this was the first opportunity for Timaru stakeholders to debate the strategies.

"There was a lot of work which has been done to get to this stage," Dr Jenkins said.

"The strategies we have on the table took two months to summarise, but that was after six years of analysing the data and working out exactly what the status of our water resources and water quality actually is."

Although the status quo was the benchmark for all discussions on water management, there was a wide agreement the system had shortcomings, he said.

"I think we could see ourselves moving from the first come-first served model of consent to something that places more emphasis on sustainability, which is the key focus for all Western countries. This, of course, would require further research and maybe even an overhaul of the consent process."

Ashburton mayor Bede O'Malley said it was time for new ideas. "I think the industries across the board have got to get smarter. It's not just the farmers, but the urban areas too. If we get this right in Canterbury, then it could influence strategies at a national level."

Another stakeholder consultation will be held in Timaru on Wednesday. The feedback from all the meetings will be converted into a paper summarising the options, which will be sent to every Canterbury household later this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News