Water-quality vision: hui to be held on October 25 to discuss catchment plan

Improving the water quality of catchments such as the Waimatā River (pictured) will be the ultimate aim of an advisory group’s freshwater management plan. The call has gone out for people to join the group.Picture by Liam Clayton

Gisborne District Council is preparing to develop a Waimatā-Pakarae catchment plan as part of its implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

From Waihau Bay down the Coast into Gisborne city there are eight smaller freshwater catchments that fall under this plan.

The waterways flow to the East Coast and include the Waimatā, Pakarae, Waiomoko and Pouawa rivers and the Turihaua, Hamanatua, Wainui and Kopuawhakapata streams.

The council is running a community hui to discuss the catchment plan at the Wainui surf club at 5pm on Wednesday, October 25. All are welcome.

In addition, the council is looking for people with strong connections to the waterways within this catchment area to join an advisory group to help improve water quality there.

The group will help develop a catchment plan. This plan will guide freshwater management by forming a values-based vision, with actions to achieve this vision, for all the waterways in the catchments.  It will set objectives and regulations to help manage water quality and quantity.

GDC director sustainable futures Jo Noble said the plan must stop further degradation of the region’s fresh water.

“The Government has made it clear that we need to start making immediate improvements and that water quality improves within five years.

“The catchment plan must set a pathway to reverse past damage to bring our waterways and ecosystems to a healthy state within a generation.

“To do this the plan is developed using the concept of ‘te mana o te wai’, which means the health and wellbeing of water must come first.

“Having started early conversations with mana whenua, farming communities and various catchment groups in the area, the council wants to hear from urban and rural communities about their concerns and aspirations for their awa.

“We invite anyone who wants to be part of the solution to apply for the advisory group and work with council and tangata whenua to develop the plan.”

Advisory group members will need to commit to attending a series of monthly meetings.

They will need to dedicate time to understand the water quality and quantity issues in the catchment and be willing to contribute to the plan.

People must be able to show a strong connection to the waterways within the catchments.  A range of community perspectives is key.

For more questions or to express your interest in taking part in the advisory group, email the freshwater team at TRMP@gdc.govt.nz