Canterbury water now has a resource plan

The completion of the Canterbury Natural Resources Regional Plan is a major step forward for Canterbury.

The lack of a plan over the past 20 years saw important resource decisions being made in a vacuum. The lack of progress was a major reason for the Government’s intervention in Environment Canterbury in 2010. And now, one year after Commissioners were appointed, Canterbury has a natural resources plan.

The plan covers policy and rules on water quality, quantity, the beds and margins of lakes and rivers, wetlands, groundwater and soil conservation.

It is more important than ever in the wake of Canterbury’s devastating earthquakes that we have this plan in place. It will help in Canterbury’s economic recovery by giving greater certainty over the rules for sustainably developing the region’s natural resources. The plan will be operative from 11 June.

For more information: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-welcomes-canterbury-resources-plan