Latest news with #RangitataDiversionRace
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Canterbury native bird sanctuary gets green light
A project to bring native bird song to a new sanctuary in Methven has taken another step forward. Methven Birdsong Initiative has taken possession of the block of land they plan to turn into a native bird sanctuary. The Methven Lions are leading the project and have received formal approval from the District Council, Methven Community Board, and Te Runanga o Arowhenua to proceed, with a 35-year lease commencing on July 1 for the vacant 2 hectares of council-owned land. Project spokesperson Mac McElwain said the length of the lease confirms it to be 'a forever legacy project for our town'. 'This is an exciting outcome for our steering group after 15 months of preplanning, starting with getting a trapping programme under way around Methven.' The land comprises the existing Garden of Harmony – an area of council land already planted – and the vacant land behind it, next to the Methven Resort. The vacant site is home to the heritage-listed Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) pipe shed. Built from a giant piece of concrete pipe created for the construction of the RDR in the 1930s, it was then converted into a storage shed for explosives. It remains on its original foundation. McElwain, and the rest of the trust board of John Corbett, Gen de Spa, Don Geddes, and Barry Maister, thanked the community board for supporting the project and including it in the recently adopted Methven Strategic Plan. The group will continue to work closely with the community board to ensure requirements, safeguards, and costs are fully understood, and to ensure a sustainable project, driven by community volunteers, McElwain said. The trust plans to have a community board representative join the trust board 'to ensure a continuing close understanding and support going forward'. The project is also preparing to announce a foundation sponsor and looking to secure others, as well as seeking new members for the planning group who have skills or time to contribute to the programme over the next several years. 'There is certainly a lot of work ahead of us and renewed community commitment to the project will be essential to ensure its success,' McElwain said. THE FINAL PLAN: The final plan, formed after community consultation and feedback, that was approved by the council includes: – A planting transect, graduating from grassland plains to bushy forest fringes, to forest, with meandering pathways for easy exploration. – Places for public to explore, rest, recreate, picnic and learn. – Attractants for native birds such as bird friendly plantings, bird feeding stations, or water features, with possibly a bird watching tower and/or birdsong listening booths. – Displays of interesting and rare native flora and fauna. – The area formerly known as the Secret Garden redesigned and renamed as the 'Nest' as an area of potential student innovation and investigation, engaging with the local primary schools. The new Ōpuke Innovation Hub at Mt Hutt College presents an exciting collaboration opportunity. – Inclusion of historical heritage items including RDR Pipe Shed. – Maintaining existing Garden of Harmony, ensuring it remains true to original intentions of demonstrating both Japanese flowering plants and New Zealand natives. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rūnanga Appeals Canterbury Water Rehab Project Consent
Article – Jonathan Leask – Local Democracy Reporter Rnanga are appealing the consent approval for a Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project to the Environment Court claiming the independent commisioners got it wrong. Local rūnanga are appealing the consent approval for the expansion of a significant Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project, as they fear the move will put added pressure on the Rangitata River. However, the trust behind the environmental project says the decision to appeal 'is a kick in the guts' for the district. Commissioners granted resource consents to Rangitata Diversion Race Management and Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust on April 30 to expand the groundwater rehabilitation project. Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua, which had opposed the consent application, filed its appeal to the Environment Court on May 21. The consents are to source water from the Rangitata Diversion Race to operate water aquifer and recharge sites at 37 locations, 15 existing and 22 new sites. The aquifer sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater. In the consent decision, the independent panel stated the consent applications were only about what RDRML's existing allocation could be used for. 'There is no take application before us,' the consent decision stated. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua argued that the panel got that aspect of the decision, and some other factors, wrong. Upoko (head) Tewera King said Arowhenua 'do not agree with the concept of taking water from one water body, and using it, in the way that has been proposed here, to improve unhealthy water'. 'It is not addressing the fundamental problem of why water is unhealthy in the first place. 'We believe the decision we are appealing would result in an increased actual take of water from the Rangitata River in circumstances where the river is already over-allocated. 'It also further diminishes the effectiveness of the Rangitata Water Conservation Order to protect outstanding characteristics of the river that are highly valued by Kāti Huirapa (hapū of Ngāi Tahu). 'We demand long-term thinking that provides for intergenerational prosperity and resilience.' Arowhenua wants the decision overturned and the application to be declined. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust chairperson Peter Lowe said he was disappointed by the appeal. The environmental enhancement project had been set up by an inclusive, collaborative process, which included Arowhenua, he said. 'Its proven track record of positive environmental gains to biodiversity and water bodies was recognised by the independent commissioners in granting consents to expand the project,' Lowe said. 'To have this decision appealed is a kick in the guts for our district, the collaborative design process, and not least our environment and biodiversity.' Arowhenua had supported the initial water enhancement project starting in 2016 but has opposed the planned expansion of the project. The appeal comes at the same time that Ngāi Tahu's High Court case against the Crown to get a declaration that the tribe has legal rights over freshwater in its territory. Ngāi Tahu representatives are attempting to get real engagement on designing a better way to manage lakes, rivers and waterways that are becoming increasingly polluted, according to industry body Water NZ. Frustration at 'long, expensive' process The consents were initially lodged in 2022 and approved by the independent commissioners in April. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust now faces potentially another year before it can get the expansion up and running, with the environment losing out, Lowe said. Lowe was scathing of ECan's consent process when providing an update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee on Tuesday. 'They have put us through an extremely long, expensive, and torturous process. 'I think they need to hang their heads in shame to what they have done to this community.' The consenting process has cost the trust almost $600,000 so far. The Trust's sole funding source is from ECan, through the Targeted Hinds Regional Environmental Infrastructure Rate. That is causing community frustration as the service they are being rated for isn't being met due to the ongoing consent process, and subsequent appeal, Lowe said Water and land manager Pim De Monch said ECan continue monitoring the funding to ensure it's being used for its intended purpose. 'We appreciate the Trust's environmental infrastructure work programme is complex and long-term, and it takes time to be able to scope, consent, and deliver it.' ECan regulatory Implementation general manager Paul Hulse said the new resource consents will not proceed until any appeals to the Environment Court are resolved. 'HHWET can continue operating under their existing consents in the meantime.'
Scoop
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Rūnanga Appeals Canterbury Water Rehab Project Consent
Local rūnanga are appealing the consent approval for the expansion of a significant Mid Canterbury water rehabilitation project, as they fear the move will put added pressure on the Rangitata River. However, the trust behind the environmental project says the decision to appeal "is a kick in the guts" for the district. Commissioners granted resource consents to Rangitata Diversion Race Management and Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust on April 30 to expand the groundwater rehabilitation project. Te Rūnanga O Arowhenua, which had opposed the consent application, filed its appeal to the Environment Court on May 21. The consents are to source water from the Rangitata Diversion Race to operate water aquifer and recharge sites at 37 locations, 15 existing and 22 new sites. The aquifer sites contain infiltration basins, which act like big leaky ponds. The basins are filled with high-quality water that seeps down and recharges the groundwater. In the consent decision, the independent panel stated the consent applications were only about what RDRML's existing allocation could be used for. 'There is no take application before us,' the consent decision stated. Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua argued that the panel got that aspect of the decision, and some other factors, wrong. Upoko (head) Tewera King said Arowhenua 'do not agree with the concept of taking water from one water body, and using it, in the way that has been proposed here, to improve unhealthy water'. 'It is not addressing the fundamental problem of why water is unhealthy in the first place. 'We believe the decision we are appealing would result in an increased actual take of water from the Rangitata River in circumstances where the river is already over-allocated. 'It also further diminishes the effectiveness of the Rangitata Water Conservation Order to protect outstanding characteristics of the river that are highly valued by Kāti Huirapa (hapū of Ngāi Tahu). 'We demand long-term thinking that provides for intergenerational prosperity and resilience.' Arowhenua wants the decision overturned and the application to be declined. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust chairperson Peter Lowe said he was disappointed by the appeal. The environmental enhancement project had been set up by an inclusive, collaborative process, which included Arowhenua, he said. 'Its proven track record of positive environmental gains to biodiversity and water bodies was recognised by the independent commissioners in granting consents to expand the project,' Lowe said. 'To have this decision appealed is a kick in the guts for our district, the collaborative design process, and not least our environment and biodiversity.' Arowhenua had supported the initial water enhancement project starting in 2016 but has opposed the planned expansion of the project. The appeal comes at the same time that Ngāi Tahu's High Court case against the Crown to get a declaration that the tribe has legal rights over freshwater in its territory. Ngāi Tahu representatives are attempting to get real engagement on designing a better way to manage lakes, rivers and waterways that are becoming increasingly polluted, according to industry body Water NZ. Frustration at 'long, expensive' process The consents were initially lodged in 2022 and approved by the independent commissioners in April. Hekeao Hinds Enhancement Trust now faces potentially another year before it can get the expansion up and running, with the environment losing out, Lowe said. Lowe was scathing of ECan's consent process when providing an update to the Ashburton Water Zone Committee on Tuesday. 'They have put us through an extremely long, expensive, and torturous process. 'I think they need to hang their heads in shame to what they have done to this community.' The consenting process has cost the trust almost $600,000 so far. The Trust's sole funding source is from ECan, through the Targeted Hinds Regional Environmental Infrastructure Rate. That is causing community frustration as the service they are being rated for isn't being met due to the ongoing consent process, and subsequent appeal, Lowe said Water and land manager Pim De Monch said ECan continue monitoring the funding to ensure it's being used for its intended purpose. 'We appreciate the Trust's environmental infrastructure work programme is complex and long-term, and it takes time to be able to scope, consent, and deliver it.' ECan regulatory Implementation general manager Paul Hulse said the new resource consents will not proceed until any appeals to the Environment Court are resolved. 'HHWET can continue operating under their existing consents in the meantime.'
