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[ad_1] From our Chair: Climate change at the heart of all we do It’s a year since Environment Canterbury declared a climate-change emergency. Jenny Hughey explains what the council has been doing. Environment Canterbury Chair Jenny Hughey The formal declaration of a state of climate emergency across Canterbury was one of the most serious, and…
[ad_1] Remember the basics to burn smoke-free this winter Using a modern wood burner is a great start to improving air quality, but it’s equally important not to forget the basics to burn smoke-free – good wood and good fire lighting technique. Mark Bourassa is one of our better burning advisors, and he stresses the…
[ad_1] Weed Strikeforce in full swing at Te Waihora Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere’s Weed Strikeforce team has hit undesirable species right where it hurts. Grey willow, yellow flag iris, reed canary grass, blackberry, elderberry and gorse have been the targets of Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers recently, as part of the Whakaora Te Waihora restoration programme….
[ad_1] Limited notification on proposed Waste Management site Environment Canterbury is aware of community concerns about a proposed Waste Management NZ Ltd site on Marshs road. Consents for the plant operation covering issues such as noise, traffic and hours of operation were granted by the Christchurch City Council (CCC) in December 2018. Environment Canterbury granted three…
[ad_1] Youth engagement and education event Please join us for a taster workshop for young people (aged 14 to 24) who are keen to explore what leadership for a better future looks, sounds and feels like. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity – register now! Workshop details When: Tuesday 7 July 2020, 5.30 – 8.00pm…
[ad_1] Selwyn’s trial bus services to continue Commuter bus services from Darfield and Southbridge to Christchurch city will continue operating after funding was confirmed as part of Environment Canterbury’s Annual Plan 2020/21. The 86 Darfield-City service will remain on a permanent basis, while the 87 Southbridge-City service will continue for the 2020/21 financial year at…
[ad_1] Ashburton Zone Committee coming back to life Ashburton Water Zone Committee Chair William Thomas The start of winter is usually a time when we hunker down, and while there’s always work to be done, for many farmers and outdoor types it’s a relatively quiet season. But after enduring an unforseen but necessary nationwide lockdown…
[ad_1] Coes Ford water sampling enables nationwide study Coes Ford in Selwyn may hold the key to unlocking the relationship between E. coli and harmful waterborne pathogens, thanks to a nationwide pilot study conducted by the Crown-owned Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), a new video shows. Coes Ford water sampling enables nationwide study Before lockdown, our surface…
[ad_1] MyWay by Metro on-demand service eclipses traditional public transport Since the beginning of June, Timaru’s trial of on-demand public transport has seen patronage surpass the services it replaces by nearly 40%. MyWay by Metro’s 12-month trial will be officially launched by Mayor Nigel Bowen, Timaru District Councillor Sally Parker and our Councillor Peter Scott…
[ad_1] Funding approved to protect Waimakariri wetlands At its first meeting out of lockdown in early June, the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee allocated $59,000 from its Immediate Steps biodiversity fund to support the protection of a variety of wetland projects in the zone. Each of the ten zone committees in Canterbury has $104,500 of Immediate…
[ad_1] Council rates balance COVID recovery and environment priorities Today, our Council formally adopted the 2020/21 Annual Plan (PDF File, 19.33MB) and set the rates for the coming year (1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021). Council strike rates Council will increase its total rates revenue by 4% in the 2020/21 financial year. This is 5.8% less…
[ad_1] Support for industry winter grazing initiatives With Canterbury farmers facing a challenging winter, we are supporting industry initiatives to ensure farmers follow good winter grazing practice and if needed, seek advice as early as possible. Our Operations Director, Nadeine Dommisse, said winter grazing could be a significant environmental issue if not well managed, and…
[ad_1] Caring through COVID-19 Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has centred around one of our core organisational values: manaakitanga/people first. Like the rest of New Zealand and the world, we have experienced a period of sustained disruption. The COVID-19 pandemic is a crisis like no other – its impacts are far-reaching, causing uncertainty for…
[ad_1] Water zone committees, council meetings return In line with the nationwide move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1, all upcoming water zone committee meetings, workshops and field trips have been rescheduled and the updated agendas are now available. During Alert Levels 4, 3 and 2, water zone committee meetings of any kind were postponed or…
[ad_1] June update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Kevin Heays provides insight into what is happening on the ground in light of COVID-19. Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Kevin Heays Kev’s corner Alert Level 1 has arrived and all the Kaikōura based Environment Canterbury staff are back in the office. As this financial…
[ad_1] Navigation Safety Bylaw breaches investigated There are a wealth of activities and sports that you can do on Canterbury’s waterways year round. Whether you’re jet skiing, kayaking, sailing or stand up paddle boarding, the Harbourmaster’s Office wants all recreational boaties to get home safe. Part of being safe out on the water is knowing…
[ad_1] Report released on landscape protection in Mackenzie Basin Yesterday, Environment Canterbury, one of the five government agencies with statutory environmental responsibilities in the Mackenzie Basin, received a copy of the Environmental Defence Society report Te Manahuna – Mackenzie Basin and Landscape Protection. Our Acting Chief Executive, Stefanie Rixecker, said the report was an acknowledgement of…
[ad_1] Endangered terns winning fight against predators With the number of nationally-endangered native black-fronted terns dwindling, the tiny birds have been handed an advantage in the ongoing battle against braided river predators on the Clarence River | Waiau Toa. Black-fronted tern Progress since lockdown In April, aerial weed control took place after surveys of nesting…
[ad_1] Wetland bringing back a piece of native Canterbury A landmark wetland project in Canterbury is now almost complete, creating a new habitat for native plants and animals in a part of the region where once wetlands abounded. In May, as COVID-19 restrictions began to be lifted, contractors were able to complete the final earthworks…
[ad_1] Mother of all Clean Ups a raging success The Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee is celebrating the success of the 2020 Mother of All Clean Ups competition, which received more than 200 entries during lockdown. Stormwater management is a key focus for the committee, with the annual competition being held a little differently this year. Lockdown…
[ad_1] Update on South Canterbury services during COVID-19 New Zealand is now at Alert Level 1. This means a return to “business as usual” for Environment Canterbury services, buildings and staff. For public transport information and queries, go to metroinfo.co.nz. Please continue to go to the government’s dedicated website covid19.govt.nz for COVID-related updates and advice, or the Ministry of…
[ad_1] New aerial photography of our region New aerial photography of Ashburton, Banks Peninsula, Mackenzie and Timaru districts has been captured by Canterbury local authorities and Environment Canterbury, as part of a collection that dates back 100 years. Each summer the 11 Canterbury councils, together with a public-private partnership, capture a different area of the…
[ad_1] Hurunui youth conservation project gains traction A three hectare block in Balmoral Forest has seen invasive weeds ripped out and natives planted in their place, thanks to the Hurunui Youth Kaitiakitanga Project. Having only been in place for a year, the youth project has already created fantastic results in terms of returning native flora…
I’ve been thinking … affordability and jobs are going to be key moving forward in recovering from COVID-19 and this article (linked below) where some of the Provincial Growth Fund money could be spent goes some way to finding solutions to both. But it still looks like picking at the fringes. Another issue cropping up…
[ad_1] Fare reintroduction on public transport Fares will be reintroduced on public transport services in Christchurch and Timaru from Monday 15 June 2020. Our senior manager public transport, Stewart Gibbon, said that to encourage contactless payments, Metrocards will be provided free during June. “During our response to COVID-19, we’ve all become used to the simplicity…
[ad_1] Kaumātua honoured – Peter Ramsden MNZM Environment Canterbury today acknowledged the award of a Queen’s Birthday Honour to one of its own among many other notable Cantabrians. Peter Ramsden becomes a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservation. He is kaumātua and Deputy Chair of Te Runanga o Koukourārata…
[ad_1] COVID-19 updates from Environment Canterbury We are closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation, for the safety of all our staff and our communities. This page will be regularly updated with information and advice on how we are responding and adapting to government directives and the changing situation. Update 16: 2 June 2020 From Tuesday…
[ad_1] Freshwater package welcomed Environment Canterbury has welcomed the freshwater package announced today by the Government. Chair Jenny Hughey acknowledged the hard work the Government and many others had put into the package. “Through the Canterbury Water Management Strategy and several years of freshwater planning, we have been actively engaged in all the issues it…
[ad_1] “Delegates will be hosted at the city’s new and world-class Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre – a stunning venue in the heart of the city,” Heaphy said. In selecting Christchurch, organisers were particularly impressed by the level of expertise at UC, Otago University and across New Zealand, which was a big factor in selection….
[ad_1] Director Lee Barraclough says the award-winning tourism operation has been working hard on these two projects for nearly two years and is now in the final stages of being able to take visitors skydiving over both the expansive Christchurch coastline, and the stunning alpine scenery around Hanmer Springs.Barraclough aims for the first Hanmer Springs…