Canterbury Water Management Strategy – terms of reference for four zone committees:
Commissioners approved the terms of reference for four zone committees of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) – Waimakariri, Selwyn-Waihora, Ashburton and Lower Waitaki-South Coastal Canterbury.
Environment Canterbury commissioners were appointed to each of these committees: Rex Williams to Waimakariri; Donald Couch to Selwyn- Waihora; David Caygill to Ashburton and Peter Skelton to Lower Waitaki-South Coastal Canterbury.
Commissioners resolved that zone committees span the 2010 local government election cycle so that the committees can continue their business without interruption.
They also approved the membership of the CWMS Regional Committee’s appointments group – Grant McFadden (water management policy advisor), Graeme Sutton (Irrigation NZ), David O’ Connell (Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu), David Caygill (Environment Canterbury commissioner, water portfolio), Brian Lester (chief executive Ashburton District Council) and Murray Rodgers (Water Rights Trust).
Proposed Pareora Catchment Environmental Flow and Water Allocation Regional Plan and Variation 18 to the proposed Natural Resources Regional Plan:
Commissioners approved the proposed plan and the Variation to go out for public notification and submissions from August 7. Plan submissions remain open until October 1, submissions on the Variation (essentially deleting the parts of the proposed Natural Resources Regional Plan which would have applied to the Pareora catchment, and referring back to the new plan) close Friday, September 3.
Greater Christchurch Metro Strategy:
Commissioners adopted the Vision, Goals and Targets of the new Greater Christchurch Metro Strategy. The first strategy more than ten years ago consolidated patronage growth and led to the highest patronage figures since 1975 last year. The popular Orbiter service, integrated ticketing using the discounted Metrocard, real time information at bus stops and higher service frequencies have all contributed to significant growth in use of Greater Christchurch’s Metro services and Diamond Harbour ferry. More than 1900 people, bus users and non-bus users contributed to the review of the latest Metro Strategy.
Hearing panel to hear submissions on the review of navigation safety bylaws:
The Navigation Safety Bylaws (2005) are currently being reviewed and are open to submissions until August 13. Commissioners appointed Donald Couch and Rex Williams as members of the hearings panel for this review, with commissioner Couch as the chair. Professor Bob Kirk was appointed as the third, external appointee. Commissioners delegated authority to the hearings panel to hear and make recommendations to the Council on the new and amended bylaws. Background:
http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/news/pages/review-of-environment-canterbury-navigation-safety-bylaws.aspx
Finance and Audit Committee established:
Commissioners agreed to establish a Finance and Audit Committee and adopted terms of reference for its governance. Dame Margaret Bazley, David Bedford and Rex Williams were appointed to the committee, with David Bedford as chairman.
For further information: Frances Adank, Media Advisor Environment Canterbury, 353 9731 or read the agenda on line:
http://ecan.govt.nz/news-and-notices/minutes/pages/council-agenda-290710.aspx