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Collaboration results in cultural artwork for the community The new stormwater culvert aims to filter contaminants from stormwater before it enters Lyell Creek. A collaborative project between councils, community, and local Kaikōura businesses has resulted in artwork showcasing one of the towns forgotten reserves. The Lower Lyell / Waikōau West End Reserve has been developed…
Wai We Care: Join your local water zone committee Now is the time to join your local water zone committee and make a contribution towards the future of Canterbury’s precious water resource. Nine of Canterbury’s 10 water zone committees are looking for new community members, with applications opening 12 April and closing on 10 May….
Mount Lawry beech forest to be protected The Waimakariri Water Zone Committee is supporting biodiversity funding of $50,000 for 150 hectares of remnant beech forest, wetlands and manuka scrub on Mount Lawry Station in the Canterbury foothills. Waimakariri District Council, Environment Canterbury and the QEII Trust are working together with the landowner to support the…
From our Chair: Engaging with Canterbury’s youth The young people of today are the leaders of tomorrow. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Some in fact are already moving and shaking, guiding their peers to be community-minded, and steering thinking and actions along paths that will protect and renew our environment and help mitigate climate change….
Instant fines for dumping rubbish in regional parks People caught dumping rubbish in Canterbury’s regional parks may now face an instant $750 fine. Our regional park rangers are now warranted under the Resource Management Act (RMA) to issue fines to anyone found dumping rubbish in the parks. Dumping of rubbish is costing ratepayers This comes…
Draft Long-Term Plan 2021–31 consultation closing soon On Sunday 11 April consultation on Environment Canterbury’s draft Long-Term Plan will close. You still have time to make a submission and share your views. Your feedback is important Our Council would like to hear your views on the activities and funding being proposed for the next ten…
New chair for Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee I feel privileged to have been appointed as the new Chair of the Banks Peninsula Water Zone Committee at our March 2021 meeting. I’m looking forward to the year ahead for the zone committee. We will keep our focus on mahinga kai, biodiversity, and water quantity as…
April update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager It’s been a busy few weeks with lots on, in and out of the office. Kevin Heays, Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Winter is coming (again)! We’re starting to share winter messages now, so you have all the information you need as the weather cools down and we start taking…
Unsightly but harmless algae at Caroline Bay Algae at Caroline Bay, Timaru Image of diatom (Attheya armatus) causing foam and brown staining on Caroline Bay A harmless plant plankton species with a brown scummy appearance has been turning up at Caroline Bay in Timaru this autumn. The naturally occurring algae, which some people mistake…
Welcome to central zones for Pou Mātai Kō Tana Luke Sometimes it feels like you were born for a job. And Tana Luke knew the role of Pou Mātai Kō/Cultural Land Management Advisor at Environment Canterbury was written for him. Pou Mātai Kō lead the way when it comes to mātauranga Māori/knowledge and lend advice to…
Educational focus around the region Two schools at opposite ends of the region have recently had the chance to learn and immerse themselves in nature. We’re working to build and strengthen the relationship between young people, their environment, and the work we do. Part of this work includes supporting schools and other education providers to plan and deliver action-focused environmental education including…
From our Chair: Canterbury rates and farming Rates – it’s a five-letter word that makes most people’s eyes glaze over, although I suspect that isn’t so much the case in the farming sector. Unfortunately, thanks to an ever-increasing cost of living, rates rarely go down. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Rates in rural areas It…
Moepuku Forest harvesting 50 hectares of Moepuku Forest is due for harvesting at the start of May 2021. Moepuku Forest is located between the Head of the Harbour and Charteris Bay in Whakaraupo. The block was planted between 1981 and 1984. The forest is being logged because the trees are mature and starting to decay…
From our Chair: Working together on air quality We may be enjoying a long spell of settled early autumn weather but the days are slowly slipping away on us. It’s noticeably more chilly when you step outside in the morning and the evenings are certainly closing in earlier. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Before we…
Project aims to enhance Mt Harding stream Plans to plant natives along parts of Mt Harding stream are underway with local landowners getting onboard. Mt Harding stream is a small waterway running from below Pudding Hill past Methven and joining the north branch of the Hakatere/Ashburton River. Funding to improve ecological health of the stream…
Water use data charges – what you need to know If you have a current consent to take water in Canterbury, you’ll have received a letter from us informing you of upcoming charges for water use. This is an annual fixed fee of $230 charged to each consent to take water over 5 litres per…
Community conversation series The Community Conversation series is a new initiative to improve the Council’s understanding of the needs of the community – to provide the best support in our changing world. Proposed topics for discussion Draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31 – currently out for consultation until 11 April, visit haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz for more information Essential Freshwater – the…
From our Chair: Managing dust in Canterbury Is dust simply one of life’s irritations – a nuisance at worst – or can something more be done to help those who are living with it day in day out? Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury At Council on Thursday 11 March, we heard from two members of…
Coming together to improve Christchurch’s urban waterways On 22 March we will join Christchurch City Council, along with several community groups, schools, and businesses at Turanga Central Library to celebrate and sign a new partnership Charter. The Community Waterways Partnership Charter The Charter will see the development of a variety of community-based initiatives to improve the ecological health,…
Ted talks – March 2021 Ted Howard – Chair of Kaikōura Water Zone Committee After a busy summer period, it was great to be able to catch up with the committee and share what we’ve all been doing. Between biodiversity, water quality, farming, and community involvement, the committee has a good range of expertise when…
Managing the long-term impact of cruise ships in Akaroa continues Akaroa has experienced a significant increase in cruise ship arrivals over the last ten years, which has raised concerns for many in the community about the influx of tourists and the potential disturbance of the seabed and a reduction in water quality. Environment Canterbury and…
Southbridge to City commuters wanted Your 87 Southbridge – City trial bus service needs more regular use if it is to continue. The trial bus service is for residents commuting to Christchurch city from Leeston, Doyleston, Irwell and Springston. It operates as an express service, running city-bound in the morning, and then City-Southbridge in the…
From our Chair: New rates calculator tool to support decision making As a ratepayer in the Christchurch area, the increase in rates proposed in Environment Canterbury’s draft Long-Term Plan is about $1.55 a week. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury I urge you to check out our rates calculator, put in your address and see what…
From our Chair: New rates calculator tool to support decision making As a ratepayer in the Christchurch area, the increase in rates proposed in Environment Canterbury’s draft Long-Term Plan is about $1.55 a week. Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury I urge you to check out our rates calculator, put in your address and see what…
Mayfield Hinds Valetta Irrigation Scheme’s application for consent renewal Recently, several media stories have focused on Mayfield/Hinds/Valetta Irrigation Scheme’s application for a renewal of its consent. We’ve provided comment on this, and thought we’d share some of the commonly asked questions. Commonly asked questions Why hasn’t the application been notified? The Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan…
Ōtūkaikino River: the jewel of Christchurch waterways Catherine Ott from Isaac Conservation Trust talking to the Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee. The Christchurch West Melton Water Zone Committee visited the Ōtūkaikino River recently to get an understanding of the cultural significance the catchment has and hear about the vision, which the committee is helping carry…
Draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31 consultation open Today the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) has released the draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31 for community feedback. The Council’s draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31 was made public last week as part of the papers for the 25 February Council meeting. It contains two options for consultation, both proposing a notable…
From the hills to the sea and between Ashburton Water Zone Committee Chair William Thomas One of the better parts of being on the Ashburton water zone committee is you get to meet interesting people out in the field and you are not always stuck in the committee room. Late last month I did just…
Kaikōura Plains Recovery Project celebrates four years of progress Industry professionals, local organisations, and community members have come together to celebrate the high points of the Kaikōura Plains Recovery Project (KPRP). Project manager Jodie Hoggard looks back on the 2016 earthquake as quite a shake-up for the local rural community. “Following the earthquakes, Kaikōura farmers…
MyWay trial extended but success dependent on support A decision on the future of Timaru’s MyWay by Metro on-demand public transport will be made in June this year as part of the Long-Term Plan process, following an extension of the service trial beyond April 2021 by us and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. The trial public transport service was fully introduced in June 2020 after beginning…