September

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  4 September 2010 Earthquake - September 4, 2010 - 4.00 pm
  Civil defence authorities are asking people living in the greater Christchurch area – in particular the eastern and river suburbs of Christchurch and Kaiapoi to check they have plans in place for the evening before it gets dark and cold again after this morning’s devastating earthquake.
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  4 September 2010 Earthquake - September 4, 2010 - 1.45 pm
  Due to this morning’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake, a state of emergency has been declared for Christchurch city, Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts. The city’s state of emergency is likely to be in place until noon Monday, the other districts for at least 24 hours.
• 
  4 September 2010 Earthquake – September 4, 2010 – 07.10 am
  Following today's, 7.4 magnitude earthquake - Canterbury Emergency Co-ordination Centre, Selwyn, Timaru, Waimakariri and Hurunui districts have activated their emergency centres.
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  4 September 2010 Earthquake – September 4, 2010 - 05.45 am
  This is a Civil Defence announcement issued by the Canterbury Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management.
• 
  3 September 2010 Canterbury Water Management Strategy - Ashburton Zone Committee Announced
  The Ashburton Water Management Zone Committee has been finalised and will be officially launched by Minister of Agriculture David Carter on September 10.
• 
  3 September 2010 Regional Committee a milestone for Canterbury’s water management
  Seven community representatives have been appointed to the Regional Committee of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

August

• 
  30 August 2010 Alternative uses for algae, Science and Technology Fair
  Pond algae could create biofuel for heating, a Lincoln High School student found out as part of his science project for this year’s Canterbury-Westland Schools’ Science and Technology Fair.
• 
  27 August 2010 Hurunui-Waiau zone committee water management, biodiversity options
  The Hurunui-Waiau zone committee is considering a number of Immediate Steps biodiversity projects for the coming year and is working to develop a position on water management and possible storage options for its zone.
• 
  26 August 2010 Metro Service Review: Northern Star and 480 Kainga Bus Routes.
  Residents in the Waimakariri District and Spencerville, Brooklands and Kainga areas will have the opportunity to discuss a range of proposals aimed at improving public transport in their areas during the next six weeks.
• 
  26 August 2010 New Selwyn Star Metro service, fares for south-western Metro zone.
  Environment Canterbury Commissioners have approved a new, competitive Metro fare structure and Selwyn Star service for Lincoln, Rolleston, Springston and Burnham.
• 
  26 August 2010 Hurunui River Water Conservation Order revised submission
  At today’s 9th Environment Canterbury Commissioners' meeting, Commissioners agreed to lodge a submission on the revised Hurunui Water Conservation Order (WCO) application.
• 
  26 August 2010 Māori place names formal endorsement
  Environment Canterbury Commissioners have formally endorsed the dual use of Māori place names with their European equivalent by the regional council.
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  20 August 2010 Workplan, timeframes for Environment Canterbury outlined
  Environment Canterbury’s commissioners have released the letter provided to Environment Minister Nick Smith and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide outlining the work programme for the organisation. The letter sets out the delivery of agreed outcomes and key milestones and reflects areas of priority for the Commissioners between now and October, 2013.
• 
  17 August 2010 350 wells surveyed for one-day groundwater snapshot
  Around 350 Rakaia-Ashburton wells will be surveyed on August 26 as part of an ongoing Environment Canterbury programme to model and understand the groundwater system in mid Canterbury.
• 
  11 August 2010 Navigation safety bylaw submissions close August 13
  Submissions on the proposed changes to Canterbury region’s Navigation Safety bylaws close this Friday, August 13. So far 60 submissions have been received which show widespread support for the compulsory wearing of lifejackets.
• 
  6 August 2010 Quality skills represented on Waimakariri Zone Committee
  Six community members have been appointed to the Waimakariri Zone Committee.
• 
  6 August 2010 Fine for illegal burning
  A Christchurch man has been fined a total of $1750 and ordered to pay investigation costs of $800 after pleading guilty to burning plastic and metal waste in June 2009.
• 
  6 August 2010 2010 Youth Leadership for Sustainability Awards
  Environment Canterbury and Ngai Tahu are celebrating the contribution of young people to environmental sustainability this month.
• 
  5 August 2010 Ashburton Air rules insist on cleaner heating but offer people choice.
  The air rules for Ashburton commence on May 1 2011, however they do not ban the use of all woodburners.
• 
  3 August 2010 Gold award Waimakariri flood protection project
  Environment Canterbury and Good Earth Matters Consulting have won a national engineering award of excellence. The $40 million Waimakariri Flood Protection Project won praise for its community consultation, planning, project management and resource consent work.
• 
  2 August 2010 Air rules aim to protect health in Ashburton
  The new air rules that will take effect in Ashburton from May 2011 are designed to help the town meet the standard for air quality, introduced by central government. Environment Canterbury has a statutory obligation to ensure the standard is achieved. The Ashburton rules are similar to those being introduced in a number of Canterbury towns and cities.

July

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  29 July 2010 Council commissioners' July meeting summary of issues.
  Council commissioners' July meeting summary of issues.
• 
  29 July 2010 Pareora River Plan shows value of community participation
  Environment Canterbury is to release of the Pareora River Plan for public consultation on Saturday August 7.
• 
  22 July 2010 Commissioners impose moratorium for Hurunui River
  Environment Canterbury Commissioners have, at a Special Council Meeting on Thursday July 22, 2010, imposed a moratorium on the Hurunui River to take, dam, divert or use water.
• 
  21 July 2010 Commissioners to consider moratorium for Hurunui River
  Environment Canterbury Commissioners will consider on Thursday whether to put in place a moratorium on the Hurunui River and its tributaries to take, dam, divert, or use water.
• 
  16 July 2010 Illegal dumping results in fine.
  A Christchurch demolition company has been fined $6000 and ordered to pay costs to Environment Canterbury after being found guilty of illegally dumping demolition waste.
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  16 July 2010 Environment Enhancement Fund still open.
  Environment Canterbury is inviting applications to its Environment Enhancement Fund and the Honda TreeFund until August 31, 2010.
• 
  9 July 2010 Canterbury dairy effluent consent compliance rates improve
  The rate of dairy effluent consent compliance in Canterbury has improved over the past year according to preliminary figures released by Environment Canterbury.
• 
  8 July 2010 Approved service providers for water metering supplier
  Nine additional companies have been granted Approved Service Provider status for water measuring services in Canterbury following a Request for Proposals (RFP) process run by Environment Canterbury in association with the Water Meter RFP Panel.
• 
  6 July 2010 Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy mid-point review
  Environment Canterbury is undertaking a mid-point review of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Strategy 2005-2015 which is open for public consultation until August 30 to allow time for further input.
• 
  5 July 2010 Company fined for storage bund breach
  A Christchurch company has been fined $7000 for its failure to maintain the integrity of a storage bund on its property at 100 Ruru Road, Bromley, as required by the conditions of its resource consent.
• 
  2 July 2010 Valetta groundwater zone decision
  A final decision on the Valetta and Ashburton groundwater zones has been issued by the Hearing Commissioners appointed by Environment Canterbury.
• 
  2 July 2010 Bus route changes for northeast Christchurch
  Changes to six Metro routes in northeast Christchurch will come into effect on Monday, July 5.
• 
  1 July 2010 Review of Environment Canterbury Navigation Safety Bylaws
  Environment Canterbury is proposing to create new navigation safety bylaws aimed at ensuring public safety and amenity on lakes, rivers and coastal waterways throughout the region.

June

• 
  25 June 2010 Diverse range of interests represented on innovative water management group
  Seven community appointees are make up the fledgling Hurunui-Waiau Zone Committee, the first to be established under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
• 
  24 June 2010 Environment Canterbury rates struck
  Environment Canterbury commissioners today adopted the annual plan for 2010/11 and struck the regional rates for the financial year from July 1.
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  24 June 2010 Metro fares to rise from August 1
  Bus fares for greater Christchurch and Timaru and Christchurch’s Diamond Harbour ferry service will increase by around 10 per cent from August 1 this year.
• 
  10 June 2010 Change in service provider for Timaru Metro services.
  From Monday June 28, Ritchies Coachlines will again be providing Metro services for Timaru.
• 
  8 June 2010 Draft Annual Plan: water management a funding priority
  Environment Canterbury commissioners have made a number of changes to the council’s draft Annual Plan to reflect the shift to addressing water management as a priority for the region.
• 
  4 June 2010 River works reduce flooding along Waihao River
  Lower Waihao River landowners have given Environment Canterbury the thumbs-up for their river control work after the recent heavy rain.
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  2 June 2010 Central Plains Water decision released
  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.

May

• 
  27 May 2010 Environment Canterbury Council Meeting May 27, 2010
  Environment Canterbury Commissioners held their public meeting on Thursday, May 27, 2010.
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  26 May 2010 Timaru Flood Room winding down, Wednesday May 26, 4.00 pm
  Environment Canterbury is winding down the operation of its Timaru Flood Room, as rainfall continues to weaken across South Canterbury and river levels are dropping.
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  26 May 2010 Fine for illegal dumping
  A company director, Stephen Graham Knight, has been fined and ordered to pay investigation costs after pleading guilty to the discharge of electroplating chemicals from industrial trade premises.
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  26 May 2010 Temuka River dropping, and bridges both open, 10 am, May 26, 2010
  Environment Canterbury advises that the Temuka River is dropping and there is no current threat to Temuka township. Both bridges are open.
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  26 May 2010 Flooding, foothill rivers, update South Canterbury 8.30am, Wednesday May 26
  The Temuka River north of Timaru has now dropped from a high of 564 cumecs (cubic metres of water per second) in the early hours of this morning.
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  26 May 2010 Flooding, foothill rivers, coastal update South Canterbury 5.30pm, Tuesday May 25
  On top of the recent severe weather warning, the Metservice has issued a coastal swell warning for the east coast of Canterbury
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  25 May 2010 Foothill rivers of South Canterbury/ North Otago update 7.00am, Tuesday May 25
  60-80 mm of rain has fallen in the South Canterbury foothills up until 6 am this morning, May 25. Rainfall intensities to date have been low with only surface flooding reported and river levels have not yet started to rise significantly.
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  24 May 2010 South Canterbury foothills flood warnings update 5.00 pm, May 24
  Environment Canterbury river engineering staff and Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management staff are continuing to monitor the rain situation in South Canterbury. Currently only around 30 mm of rain has been recorded, however the forecast is for rain to intensify late tonight and all day tomorrow.
• 
  24 May 2010 Call for Regional Water Management Committee nominations
  Canterbury residents are being urged to put their names forward, or nominate someone else, for the Regional Water Management Committee of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
• 
  24 May 2010 Canterbury Civil Defence monitoring upcoming weather front
  The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group is advising all residents in the region, in particular residents in South Canterbury, to prepare for a significant weather front after MetService released a severe weather outlook for today.
• 
  23 May 2010 Foothills rivers flood warning South Canterbury
  Environment Canterbury is warning land owners that Met Service forecasts for south of the Waimakariri River to North Otago, are for periods of heavy rain and southeast gales from Monday May 24 morning to Tuesday May 25. In the southern area, from the North Otago ranges to the Canterbury foothills south of the Rangitata River, up to 250 mms of rain is forecast for the 42 hours from 6 am Mondayto midnight Tuesday.
• 
  21 May 2010 Environmental Awareness Award 2010 - Presentation Ceremony
  Environment Canterbury and Tai Poutini Polytechnic are presenting the Environmental Awareness Award for 2010 on Monday, May 24.
• 
  20 May 2010 Strong response to Metro Strategy consultation 2010
  Environment Canterbury has received 1900 responses following the latest round of public consultation on further improving Metro services.
• 
  18 May 2010 May, June 2010 meeting dates Environment Canterbury commissioners
  Outline of public meeting dates for May and June 2010 for Environment Canterbury commissioners.
• 
  17 May 2010 MyBiodiversity Film Competition – Canterbury’s natural world through your eyes
  Environment Canterbury and the Regional Biodiversity Coordinator are launching the MyBiodiversity Film Competition on Monday, May 24, to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity.
• 
  14 May 2010 Canterbury-wide programme for water metering suppliers
  Environment Canterbury is rolling out a Canterbury-wide programme to provide guidance and set standards for the water measuring industry ahead of the introduction of National Regulations for water metering.
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  14 May 2010 Regulation hearing committee summary, update on consents processing
  Regulation hearing committee summary, update on consents processing
• 
  14 May 2010 Canterbury Water Management Strategy zone committees roll out progresses
  Environment Canterbury council today appointed David Bedford, of North Canterbury, as the regional council representative on the Hurunui-Waiau water management zone committee.
• 
  14 May 2010 Awareness of much greater responsibility to get it right
  The need to “get it right” and to make “sound, balanced decisions for the management of the natural and physical resources of Canterbury,” was reiterated at today’s Environment Canterbury council meeting.
• 
  12 May 2010 Metro tender results Timaru, Christchurch
  Environment Canterbury today released the results of its latest round of tendering for Metro services in Christchurch and Timaru.
• 
  6 May 2010 First public meeting of Environment Canterbury Commissioners, powhiri
  At their first public meeting today, Environment Canterbury’s new council, led by chairwoman Dame Margaret Bazley, and deputy chair David Caygill, opened with a powhiri.

April

• 
  30 April 2010 Meeting of Environment Canterbury commissioners
  The first public meeting of Environment Canterbury Commissioners will take place on Wednesday May 5, at 10 am, Council Chamber, 58 Kilmore St, Christchurch.
• 
  30 April 2010 Rakaia-Selwyn irrigators encouraged to get on with metering
  Water users in the Rakaia-Selwyn area are being encouraged to get started on installing water meters or risk running out of time before the deadline in September this year.
• 
  30 April 2010 Duckshooters - Rising River Levels Warning
  Environment Canterbury is warning duck shooters and hunters that alpine fed river levels will remain higher than usual for the weekend due to the heavy rain in the main divide.
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  28 April 2010 Hunter Downs Irrigation Scheme, Lower Waitaki, water take consent granted
  Environment Canterbury has today released the decision granting the water take resource consent required for South Canterbury’s Hunter Downs Irrigation Scheme.
• 
  23 April 2010 Biosecurity officer for Chatham Islands.
  Environment Canterbury has appointed Alison Turner as biosecurity officer for the Chatham Islands.
• 
  20 April 2010 Final regional council meeting for 2007-2010 term
  The final Environment Canterbury Council meeting for this term of regional representation is Thursday, April 22, with valedictory speeches from 11 am.
• 
  16 April 2010 Transport Minister Joyce outlines importance of Canterbury economy
  The significance of the Canterbury economy to New Zealand as a whole and the fact it is the country’s second largest wealth generator in terms of regional economies was noted by Transport Minister Steven Joyce this morning.
• 
  13 April 2010 Council records strong opposition to Act removing regional democracy
  Environment Canterbury councillors today recorded their strong opposition to the Act which has removed regional democracy in Canterbury.
• 
  1 April 2010 Committee approval key milestone in Canterbury Water Management Strategy
  The Hurunui-Waiau Zone Water Management Committee has been formally approved for establishment, and its Terms of Reference endorsed, by the Environment Canterbury Council.

March

• 
  31 March 2010 Christchurch clean air plan reaches key milestone
  A ban on the use of open fires and solid fuel burners that are 15 years or older starts on Thursday, April 1 2010 in Christchurch.
• 
  31 March 2010 Prosecution withdrawn for dairy shed effluent discharge
  Environment Canterbury has withdrawn prosecution in favour of environmental mitigation relating to unlawful dairy shed effluent discharges by two Ashburton farming companies.
• 
  30 March 2010 Environment Canterbury will work constructively with commissioners
  The Chairman of Environment Canterbury, Alec Neill, says that Environment Canterbury will work constructively with commissioners following today’s announcement that elected representatives will be replaced by commissioners from the expected date of May 1, 2010.
• 
  29 March 2010 Regional Transport Committee calls for lower blood alcohol levels
  The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee is supporting a possible Government move to reduce the Blood Alcohol Consumption limit.
• 
  29 March 2010 Environment Canterbury Draft Annual Plan submissions called for
  Canterbury people are invited to have their say in helping Environment Canterbury set its priorities for the year. The Draft Annual Plan 2010/11 is now available and public submissions on the plan can be made until April 30.
• 
  26 March 2010 Proposed Waipara Plan adopted for submissions
  The Proposed Waipara River Catchment Environmental Flow and Allocation Regional Plan has been adopted for notification by Environment Canterbury
• 
  26 March 2010 Mid Canterbury farmer fined for unauthorised water take
  A Mayfield farmer has been fined $7500 after pleading guilty to a charge of taking water for irrigation without resource consent.
• 
  24 March 2010 Ocean sewage outfall thanks to community demand for estuary health
  Environment Canterbury today congratulated the Christchurch City Council on the opening of its sewage outfall stretching 3 km into Pegasus Bay, off South Brighton.
• 
  19 March 2010 Regional council responds to Creech Review: need for change acknowledged
  Environment Canterbury has released its response to the recent Government investigation of its functions under the Resource Management and Local Government Acts. The investigation was headed by former MP Wyatt Creech.
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  18 March 2010 Resource consent non compliance an ongoing issue
  Environment Canterbury is actively working with dairy industry partners to improve the management of dairy effluent on Canterbury farms.
• 
  18 March 2010 Enviroschools Awards Celebration 2010
  Enviroschools Canterbury is hosting the Enviroschools Awards 2010 ceremony at Our City Otautahi, Worcester Boulevard at 1.30pm on March 22.
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  18 March 2010 Meeting with Ministers frank discussion of future for regional council
  Environment Canterbury’s chairman Alec Neill, deputy chair Jo Kane, Cr Bob Kirk and chief executive Bryan Jenkins met with Environment Minister Nick Smith, Minister of Local Government Rodney Hide and key ministerial staff on Tuesday night March 16. Cr Neill noted the frank discussion between the parties and said councillors had a good opportunity to talk through how their suggestion of a negotiated agreement, employing a commissioner-advisor and advisory group and retaining the democratically-elected council structure for all functions other than water, could operate.
• 
  11 March 2010 Wilding Tree Control Days 2010
  Environment Canterbury has organised wilding tree control days in the high country for 2010.
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  11 March 2010 Canterbury sharemilker fined for effluent discharge.
  An Ashburton sharemilker, Richard Neil Spicer, has been fined a total of $12,000 after pleading guilty to two charges, discharging effluent from an irrigator onto land causing ponding and contravening an abatement notice.
• 
  10 March 2010 Day of Discovery Planned at Orari River Mouth
  Animal life of all kinds, native flora and ever-popular riverside pursuits will be celebrated at a community event at the Orari River mouth on Saturday, March 27.
• 
  3 March 2010 Protect voting rights, improve water management performance
  In the wake of the Government review of Environment Canterbury’s functions, councillors have proposed a split governance system to protect people’s right to vote and also lift the council’s water management performance.
• 
  3 March 2010 Have your say about the future of public transport
  A review of the Metro Strategy has just begun with the aim of improving public transport in the Greater Christchurch area.
• 
  2 March 2010 Mid- Waitaki Valley groundwater quality survey
  Environment Canterbury in March is surveying groundwater quality in the mid-Waitaki Valley in the area between Duntroon and Otematata.
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  2 March 2010 Request for photographs, footage and stories from tsunami on Sunday
  The Canterbury Emergency Management Office is requesting photos, footage and stories from members of the public and media outlets regarding Sunday's tsunami.
• 
  1 March 2010 Groundwater levels below average in late summer settled weather
  Canterbury groundwater levels fell in February as a result of settled weather combined with average-to-dry conditions, according to monitoring by Environment Canterbury scientists.
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  1 March 2010 Media Statement - Tsunami standdown 10:00am 1 March 2010
  The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has downgraded a potential tsunami threat. The situation is still being monitored, however the Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre is no longer activated.

February

• 
  28 February 2010 Media Update - Tsunami Alert 3pm 28 February 2010
  While the National Crisis Management Centre is downgrading the Tsunami alert to an advisory, restricted waterways around Banks Peninsula could still experience surges and people near the water should continue to exercise caution, Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management advises.
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  28 February 2010 Media Update - Tsunami Alert 12.30pm 28 February 2010
  Analysis of information being received suggests that any effect around Banks Peninsula will now be at the low end of the one to three metre prediction. Christchurch City Council Civil Defence Emergency Management and the Regional Emergency Management Office will continue monitoring and communicate with the National Crisis Management Centre. Other local authorities throughout the region will monitor the situation appropriate to the level of risk of their area.
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  28 February 2010 Media Advisory - Tsunami Update 9.20 am 28 February 2010
  Initial indication is that some tsunami activity is being registered in the Chatham Islands. The latest information from the Chatham Islands is that the height of the first wave is 20 centimetres above normal sea level. The impact of this is likely to be minimal. After the initial wave, the water level then dropped by a total of around a metre. Further waves are being observed, and are at a similar height, or possibly slightly higher, than the first wave.
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  28 February 2010 Regional Update – Tsunami Alert - 8.00am 28 February 2010
  CDEM Group Emergency Coordination Centre activated since 0100 28 February 2010. A media release has been issued outlining risk to Canterbury coast including specific advice for Banks Peninsula, and advising farmers to move stock from low lying areas. People gathering along beaches will be moved on and residents have been advised to stay away from coastal areas.
• 
  28 February 2010 Media Statement - Tsunami Update 28 February 2010
  Due to the 8.8 magnitude earthquake at Chile on Saturday night and tsunami warning from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, residents in low lying areas of Banks Peninsula bays are advised to be prepared to evacuate. People need to be ready to move to safety by 8.00am and may not be able to return for at least 24 hours.
• 
  26 February 2010 Environment Canterbury Council adopts for consultation funding of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy
  The Environment Canterbury Council has voted 12-2 to adopt an amendment, for consultation, to its Annual Plan to provide $3.3M in funding for the Canterbury Water Management Strategy for the 2010-11 year.
• 
  25 February 2010 Waimakariri River signage
  The tragic death of a young man at the Waimakariri River this week has led to the call for more signs warning of the river’s danger.
• 
  24 February 2010 High demand for Clean Heat as Christchurch’s new air rules approach
  The demand for Clean Heat financial assistance ahead of new air rules commencing on April 1 means waiting lists for assessments are growing. Christchurch residents who are not already prepared are advised to consider what alternatives they will use to stay warm this winter. The ban on the use of open fires and solid fuel burners 15 years or older will be in effect from April until September.