News
New Zealand's inadequately protected rivers are being pushed towards crisis point by economic development, a DOC report says
Trustpower seeks to take more water than the WCO allowes, to increase irrigation on the plains
Submissions to be in by November 21st
When: Wednesday 19 October, 7.30 pm
Where: WEA, 59 Gloucester Street
F&B Organised and most partys represented
Before it's factory is built Fonterra seeks to extend it's capacity.
It will have near 1000 Vehicle movements a day and using coal powered kilns, produce around 30 tonnes of milk powder per hour
Submissions to be in by 7th October
National pledge $11.6 M of taxpayer money to help clean up the Dairy Pollution of Lake Ellesmere,
Fonterra contribute under 10%
This is an opportunity to have your say on it and affect how water will be managed in the zone. Fish & Game are encouraging anglers to show up at the meetings to discuss the plan, and/or write to the committee and tell them what you think of it.
Having been hung out to dry over their impacts on the environment, the exploiters, including Federated Farmers, have successfully lobbied to lower environmental expectations.
By Mike Joy
This year is shaping up to be an extremely important year for Canterbury water management. Regional committee and 10 zonal committees set up would have to determine how to meet the targets outlined in the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
The National/ACT government's expensive taxpayer-funded pamphlet on Water shows it under-estimated how angry and concerned Cantabrians are about losing control of their water allocation, says Labour's water spokesman Brendon Burns.
The bullish dairy industry is continuing to drive the country’s economy but at an increasingly high environmental cost.
The Listener - Rebecca Macfie
Environment Canterbury (ECan) commissioners yesterday approved six community representatives for the Waimakariri committee – the second of 10 committees to be established under the region's water management strategy.
The Press - 07 August 2010
Canterbury has "plenty of water" and people worried about rapid changes in its regulation need to be educated, says Environment Canterbury (ECan) head commissioner Dame Margaret Bazley.
The Press - David Williams
Bazley's appointment to head the Environment Canterbury (ECan) commission, after the Government controversially sacked the regional councillors in March, was no surprise.
The Press - 31 July 2010
A Chinese businessman alleged to be behind ambitious plans to invest up to $1.5 billion in New Zealand's dairy industry has only recently severed his business links with former National Prime Minister Jenny Shipley.
NZ Herald - Karyn Scherer
The Environmental Defence Society has won a High Court case challenging cubicle dairy farming in the Mackenzie basin.
Media Release - Gary Taylor, EDS
Former Environment Canterbury (ECan) chairman Sir Kerry Burke has slammed city leaders for their handling of the city's multibillion-dollar water resource.
Minister approves moratorium proposal for Hurunui
Environment Minister Nick Smith has given his approval for Environment Canterbury Commissioners to place a moratorium on new water takes from the Hurunui River and its tributaries from 1 August to 1 October 2011.
University of Canterbury - Communications and Development
Sacking Envornment Canterbury (ECan) councillors and appointing commissioners has been seen as a way for the Government to stifle debate over Canterbury's water and push through development interests. Commissioners are just there to rubber-stamp, the story goes.
Just as New Zealanders fought wars for democracy and freedom, it seems Cantabrians are willing to fight for the restoration of their democratic rights lost, since the sacking of ECan councillors in March.
Several thousand people have gathered in Christchurch to protest over the way Canterbury's water will be managed in future.
The controversial $200 million Central Plains Water Management scheme looks likely to get a Government financial leg-up in order to get built.
Prime Minister John Key was greeted by angry protesters as he arrived for the South Island Forum in Christchurch tonight. Over 100 gathered outside the Isaac Theatre Royal on Gloucester Street, many waving placards protesting the dismissal of Environment Cantebury councillors earlier this year.
The Central Plains irrigation scheme has also been mired in controversy not only because of the environmental issues but because it pitted one set of rural property owners against another.
A senior government official was placed in a difficult position when publicly questioned about his thoughts on the Government's sacking of Environment Canterbury councillors.
The hearing panel appointed by Environment Canterbury and the Selwyn District Council have released their decision on the resource consents and Notice of Requirement for Central Plains Water Trust and Central Plains Water Limited.
The first local committee set up under the new ECan structure to consider the future of the Hurunui and Waiau river catchments was unlikely to have any members representing environmental concerns.
Labour will introduce a Member’s Bill to return Environment Canterbury to democratic control, says Labour Leader Phil Goff.
Opinion piece in The Press by Ann Brower, senior lecturer in public policy at Lincoln University, who describes the ECan Act as a staggering use of legislative power.
The 'Press' Christchurch - 19th May
A South Island system is needed to alert mothers to the risk of blue baby syndrome as nitrate levels in groundwater rise.
Law Professor Philip Joseph has damned the ECan Act and wants it repealed and ECan Councillors reinstated.
When it comes to water, agriculture and industry need the help of environmentalists.
Summary and extracts from documents released under the Official Information Act (OIA) to Forest and Bird - April 2010.
Meeting notes from Kate Wilkinson's talk to the Peninsula Tramping Club on 11th May 2010.
Today’s Labour caucus meeting pledged to rescind the Act foisting commissioners on Environment Canterbury, and to hold elections as soon as practicable.
The Government yesterday unveiled its new team to run Environment Canterbury – six men who will each earn $900 for every day they work.
Normally only councillors who have decided to retire ...........
“I, Jane Demeter., declare that I will faithfully and impartially..........The Government wanted to dilute water-conservation orders and boost irrigation in Canterbury months before the Creech investigation recommended sacking Environment Canterbury (ECan) councillors, newly released documents show.
The country's top legal brains warned the Government that Cantabrians would be stripped of rights enjoyed by other Kiwis if it forced through Environment Canterbury (ECan) changes...
By DAVID WILLIAMS - The Press
The Government troubleshooter sent to fix Environment Canterbury (ECan) has told staff they will get only one chance, and should expect to work harder.