ECan Waitaki Zone manager Chris Eccleston felt while the issuing of consents was ``business as usual'', the public were now better informed about what was expected of them.
He said the aim of the plan change was to provide certainty for the replacement of consents for abstraction and for hydro-electricity generation activity.
In August 2016, ECan announced a change would be happening to the organisation's Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Regional Plan, which covered Omarama, Otematata, Twizel and Kurow.
Plan Change Three became operative in September.
Since then, ECan, the Waitaki Irrigators Collective and Meridian Energy have worked together to initiate consent renewals to bring existing consent holders into line with the new provisions, Mr Eccleston said.
In 2016, commissioner Peter Skelton said the change addressed uncertainty in the allocation of water in times of low flows.
The change was a response to recommendations from the Lower Waitaki-South Coastal Canterbury zone committee.
``The purpose is to enhance mahinga kai and associated values of Ngai Tahu. Consent is needed, and applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the three local runanga: Arowhenua, Waihao and Moeraki, to understand their values.''
Mr Eccleston said the 2016 plan change was ``very much a collaborative process'' with significant direction from the committee along with the public.
``One of the main aims of the plan change was to provide clarity and consistency [on] flow restrictions for consent holders, as their consents come up for replacement when they expire. More detailed information on the range of water restrictions is now provided within the plan, allowing consent holders to plan more easily for their future water needs.''
Anyone who takes or diverts water within the Waitaki catchment has to comply with the regulations
The regional plan has been in place since 2005. It applies to the taking, using, damming or diverting of water from water bodies within the Waitaki catchment, whether the water is used within or outside the catchment.
The August decision was the third plan change and the plan is scheduled for review in the 2023-24.
