Reach high, take on challenges and dig deep to overcome fear. Never let anyone or any experience bring you down.
From our Chair: Draft Long-Term Plan adopted for consultation Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Yesterday marked a milestone for the elected members of the Canterbury Regional Council, with their draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31 adopted for public consultation. From 8 March we will be asking for your feedback on the activity proposed in the plan, and…
Vigilance remains important in crop residue burning season Crop residue burning season is upon us, and it is important that rules and requirements are followed to manage the adverse effects. Crop burning concerns Crop residue burning (also known as stubble burning) plays an important role in New Zealand’s cropping systems. Reports of ‘out of control’…
Taniwha Gully ancient rock art protected by funding Ancient rock art, including a taniwha on the ceiling of a cave near Pleasant Point, will be further protected thanks to $14,000 of Immediate Steps biodiversity funding over two years. The area, a 10ha property leased by the Ngāi Tahu Māori Rock Art Trust named Taniwha Gully,…
Pilot project to address dust issues in the McLeans Island area We are undertaking a pilot project focused on gathering better information and data about dust levels in the McLeans Island area. The aim of the March pilot is to better understand the community’s experience of dust, collect data from a variety of sources, and ultimately help reduce resident’s exposure to dust and improve…
Lake Alexandrina planting day boosted by $4600 grant The Lake Alexandrina Conservation Trust has planted 1000 native sedges at West Creek, and another 2000 are on the way, thanks to almost $5000 grant of Immediate Steps biodiversity funding (IMS). The planting took place recently with help from 18 Trust members, farmers and Fish and Game…
Draft Long-Term Plan prioritises environmental progress Environment Canterbury is seeking to step-change environmental progress through its draft Long-Term Plan, Council Chair Jenny Hughey said today. The Council’s draft Long-Term Plan 2021-31, included in papers for Thursday’s Council meeting, shows the Council intends to consult ratepayers on two options to increase regional activity across all areas…
Montegues wetland makes a difference Landowner Paul Harnett. An area of a Kaikōura farm is being restored to wetland, while balancing the protection of freshwater values and productive farm management. Landowner Paul Harnett, 89 years-old, is known for advocating the balancing act of making farming work and environmental preservation. His daughter, and farm manager, Biddy…
$24 million investment in Canterbury flood protection works Work is starting on a comprehensive three-year programme of investment for the Canterbury region, with a focus on flood protection. The first project recently kicked off with the rock works now underway at McIntoshs bend in Kaiapoi. Building climate change resilience in local communities Environment Canterbury chair…
A three-year programme of flood protection work kicks off with Kaiapoi rock works. Find out more about the history of flood protection in the Kaiapoi region. Source link
Summer students critical to water monitoring Monitoring the water of Canterbury’s favourite contact recreation sites is one of the lesser-seen – but nonetheless critical – jobs our summer students carry out. The summer internship programme gives environmentally-inclined students a chance to put into effect what they have been learning in their tertiary studies. One such…
Small steps boost biodiversity vision Farmers discovered that there are many ways to protect and enhance mahinga kai and biodiversity values while visiting Waimak Farm in Eyreton last week. The 612-hectare farm includes the largest remaining kanuka stand in North Canterbury and due to its important biodiversity values this area is being protected by farm…
Which lake got the most love? A competition to find the best picnic spot in the Upper Waitaki area, run by Love Our Lakes, has revealed a closely fought battle between Lakes Benmore and Aviemore, with Aviemore just taking the lead in popularity. More than 160 entries, many with beautiful photos attached, were in the…
Native flora and fauna are starting to flourish in a new wetland area in Halswell. The artificial wetland has been created at Quaifes Road in Halswell to capture and naturally filter stormwater before it flows into Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) via the Halswell River. It’s one of several new wetland areas that Christchurch City Council…
Keeping your dog safe around water Summer is the perfect time to take your dog to one of Canterbury’s precious freshwater sites – but, after some recent hot weather, it is timely to remind dog owners about the risks that cyanobacteria in rivers and lakes presents you and your dog. Cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae…
February update: Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager Kevin Heays provides insight into what is happening on the ground. Wonderful wetlands Kevin Heays, Kaikōura Zone Delivery Manager You may have recently seen Radio New Zealand’s feature on some of our local landowners carrying out some great work restoring wetlands on their properties. I sometimes…
Dairy farm delight on Inland Road Funding of $12,000 has helped one dairy farming family kick-start a ten-year planting project on their farm in Kaikōura. Rod and Catherine Lamb run a 125 ha dairy farm in rural Kaikōura and for the last two years have been taking steps to restore 25 ha of waterway riparian…
Have your say on transport strategy and investment Canterbury is aiming for transport investment of $5.5 billion from 2021 to 2031 in the region’s draft Regional Land Transport Plan – a 10% increase in expenditure from the previous 10-year plan, due to funding injections for ‘shovel ready’ projects. The draft Plan, released by the Canterbury Regional Land…
Plan Change 7 and Plan Change 2 – What you need to know Environment Canterbury has notified Plan Change 7 to the Canterbury Land & Water Regional Plan (CLWRP) and Plan Change 2 to the Waimakariri River Regional Plan (WRRP). Read the overview presentation (PDF File, 5.09MB) and the information below to find out more…
Wonderful wetlands: Celebrating 25th World Wetlands Day World Wetlands Day is now in its 25th year, marking the day that the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was adopted 50 years ago in the city of Ramsar, Iran. Now known simply as Ramsar, the convention came into force in New Zealand in 1976. Throughout this…
Waimakariri wetlands to be protected With World Wetlands Day upon us, the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee has recommended biodiversity funding for two significant wetland-related projects in the district. The Richon wetland project in Lees Valley is supported by the QEll National Trust. It is one of the best wetlands in the valley. The Sladdens Bush project…
Changes to some Metro timetables coming 15 February Metro passengers will see some timetable and route name changes on Monday 15 February, in the third and final phase of changes for the 2020/2021 period. Most of the changes being made this time are to ensure compliance with changes to the Employment Relations Act, while also…
From our Chair: Adapting flood protection to climate change Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury There are many ways we can start preparing for the likely effects of climate change on us and on our environment. Perhaps the most challenging hazard we face in the coming decades is flooding, particularly from our large, braided rivers fed…
Love Our Lakes and win! You’ll be picnicking in eco-friendly style if you’re the lucky winner of a Love Our Lakes picnic pack, put together to encourage people to look after our favourite lakeside spots in the Upper Waitaki area. A handy backpack filled with re-usable picnic gear, as well as coffee cups, drink bottles, Love Our…
Lake Clearwater health warning lifted The Canterbury District Health Board has removed a health warning for an algal bloom at Lake Clearwater, after testing found that the cyanobacteria present in the lake do not produce toxins. Visitors to Lake Clearwater earlier this summer found significant discolouration in the lake due to algal growth, and early…
Testing comments Source link
Looking forward to a year of progress in Ashburton Last year was challenging for us all, with changing rules, elections and, above all else, the disruption that COVID-19 has brought. But it’s a reminder of the importance of looking out for one another, and taking care of physical and mental health. I’m proud that the…
Free travel period extended for Waimakariri’s new direct buses Another week of free travel is on offer on the new direct bus services from Waimakariri to central Christchurch. Transport portfolio lead Cr Phil Clearwater said that more people are returning to work next week and eager to try out the new 91 Rangiora – City…
NZAEE Seaweek 2021 Ko au te moana, ko te moana ko au – Connecting with our seas. Seaweek highlights the importance and diversity of life in our marine environments, and calls on Kiwis from all walks of life to look after Tangaroa’s realm. We all contribute to taking care of our oceans for now and…
From our Chair: Rare bird colony must be protected Jenny Hughey, Chair, Environment Canterbury Several rare birds are dead after motorbike users rode through a colony of nesting black-billed gull|tarāpuka. Last week, a group of motorbike users rode through a colony of rare black-billed gull|tarāpuka in the Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park, sadly killing ten of them….
Have your say on proposed future housing developments Land rezoning for new housing developments in Rolleston, Rangiora and Kaiapoi is currently being considered to meet future demand, as part of a public consultation. Growth scenarios for the region have found that capacity for housing development in Selwyn and Waimakariri districts may not be sufficient to…