The workshop, part of the process to develop a new land and water regional plan for by the end of 2023, drew protesters from the Central Otago Environmental Society and filled almost every seat in the public gallery.
Regional council staff revealed its recommended minimum flow for the Manuherikia, which will be in a report considered by councillors on August 25, was 1200 litres/sec by 2023, 1500 litres/sec by 2030: and 2000 litres/sec by 2037.
Minimum flow now is 900 litres/sec at the Alexandra campground.
However, Mr Hadland said ecologists consulting to the council identified flows below 2300 litres/sec showed signs of ecological stress.
Decisions on water management must legally give effect to Te Mana o te Wai, which means the health and wellbeing of the water must be first priority, then the health needs of people, and thirdly the ability of people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing.
Mr Hadland said Fish & Game wanted a 3000 litres/sec minimum flow at Alexandra as it "best provides for Te Mana o te Wai".
He said the council could have been been "braver" in its recommendations and time frame.
“A bold commitment by the [council] would create a positive, permanent legacy for the sitting members of the regional council.”
During the workshop, council staff said while there was a hierarchy of priorities, it did not mean the ecosystem’s health had to be "pristine" before other values were considered.
Manuherekia Reference Group chairman Alec Neill and independent adviser Andrew Newman put forward a "straw man" recommendation of raising the minimum flow to 1100 litres/sec in 2023, 1500 litres/sec in 2030, and 1800 litres/sec in 2037.
The numbers were in contrast to iwi’s preference.
Consultant Sandra McIntyre, who presented Kai Tahu’s perspective, said it was her impression the reference group began looking at how water was used, not river health.
Iwi wanted a transition to a minimum flow between 2500 litres/sec and 3100 litres/sec to happen within 10 years, to ensure inter-generational effects were avoided, she said.
Matthew Sole, from the Central Otago Environmental Society, said the group wanted the minimum flow set at 3000 litres/sec or more, by 2033.
“We are facing up against ecological limits and we have got to learn to live within them," he said.
That was echoed by Forest & Bird’s Otago-Southland regional conservation manager Rick Zwaan, who felt the ORC was doing the "bare minimum" rather than what was needed to restore the health of the Manuherikia River.
Forest & Bird supported a minimum flow of 3000 litres/sec or higher.
"The compelling presentation [during the workshop] from runaka highlighting the cultural values, which underpin the legal framework, only reinforced this view, as did the discussion highlighting the need to support the food for native fish to thrive, not just the habitat they live in," he said.
No decisions are made in a workshop. Councillors will receive more details at a meeting on August 25.
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Comments
Disgraceful why should fish and game be respected when they promote the ferrets of the river and ducks/geese responsible for 80% of e.coli in our rivers according to council science reports? Farmers need to stop giving access to fisherman and duckshooters.
I don't much care for fish and game either but please check your facts. I have read the report you are referring to and it does NOT say ducks/geese are responsible for 80% of e.coli in our rivers. However it does state that there is little associated risks from bird contamination but the potential risks of harmful diseases and ecosystem failure is greatly amplified by the presence of animal pollution.
The ORC recommendation is a gutless compromise. You can not compromise on nature - you are either destroying it or enabling it.