A proposal to address water quality and over-allocation of water in the Waimate and lower Waitaki catchment regions, which is causing consternation in some sectors, has attracted 45 submissions to the Environment Canterbury regional council.
The council has advertised a variation drawn up by a community committee (the Lower Waitaki-South Coastal Canterbury water management zone committee) in collaboration with affected parties, to its Land and Water Regional Plan.
The variation puts in place policies, rules and management practices to help achieve the community's goals for freshwater management in the coastal Waimate area and Waitaki catchment below the Waitaki dam.
A summary of submissions is out for further public submissions, which will close on July 17.
After that, a further report will be prepared and a hearings panel appointed by the council to consider submissions this year, with a decision due in April or May next year.
