Hurunui River conservation move dropped

Photo / APN

Recreational groups have pulled their application for a conservation order on the Hurunui River which, if successful, would have restricted how the water was used.

Environment Minister Nick Smith said the move was a sign of a more collaborative approach to water management in North Canterbury.

Dr Smith and Environment Canterbury said they had received letters from the applicants for the Hurunui Water Conservation Order, the New Zealand and North Canterbury Fish and Game Councils and Whitewater NZ, advising the withdrawal of their application.

The applicants said they withdrew it "so they may instead focus on the collaborative process in respect of the catchment plan for the Hurunui-Waiau catchments", the ministry said.

"We were set on a very litigious path involving three conflicting processes for a water conservation order, the major Hurunui irrigation project, as well as the decisions on Environment Canterbury's Natural Resources Plan," Dr Smith said.

"The only winners in these separate processes being fought out in the courts were going to be the lawyers."

Environment Canterbury has put moratoriums on the Hurunui and Waiau Rivers to halt new water-take applications while plans are sorted out.

Environment Canterbury commissioner Peter Skelton said the applicants' decision demonstrated a strong commitment to the vision and principles of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

- NZPA