Natural Resource Planning and Consents

WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND WATER ISSUE RESOLUTION

We aim to ensure that water use is managed appropriately so that this precious natural resource is available for all New Zealanders. We have worked throughout the South Island on a wide range of water resource issues relating to the take, use, diversion and discharge of water, in Canterbury.

Our projects include:

Project: THE WAITAKI CATCHMENT WATER ALLOCATION PLAN

We worked with the Waitaki Catchment Water Allocation Board and Ministry for the Environment staff to help the Board meet its Section 32 requirements of the Resource Management Act. We followed best practice for Section 32 evaluations to develop reports that covered the costs, benefits, effectiveness and efficiency of the Plan’s provisions. Since then, we have coordinated Environment Canterbury’s implementation of the Plan.

Project: IRRIGATION SYSTEM FOR VINEYARDS IN WAIPARA

We enabled our clients to gain consents to use three interrelated farm dams to provide water to their grape vines. This irrigation system prevents frost forming on the vines and enables them to reach maturity and deliver their full yield. We helped our clients formulate their main arguments and positioning to gain the required consents, while also assessing their plans and measuring the effects of the irrigation system on the surrounding environment.

Project: THE PROPOSED CANTERBURY LAND AND WATER REGIONAL PLAN

We provided advice for eight Canterbury territorial authorities and managed their submission processes on the Plan. We acquired an intimate understanding of the Plan and how it applies to water, wetlands, the beds of lakes and rivers, and soil conservation, which enabled us to identify operational and planning issues as well as unnecessary provisions and then to develop alternatives to meet our clients’ requirements.We developed, wrote and presented evidence and coordinated other experts to provide evidence at Environment Canterbury hearings.

Project: RESOURCE CONSENTS

We provided advice to Meridian Energy and have assisted in the preparation of resource consent application, and change of consent condition applications relating to operational aspects associated with the Waitaki Hydro Electric Power Station. We have also attended and participated in mediations on resource consents seeking water for farming and irrigation purposes within the Upper Waitaki Catchment.