Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Chief Executive Dr Stefanie Rixecker has made the decision to allow water to be diverted into Greenstreet Creek.
We know the community’s frustration regarding the recent fish strandings at Greenstreet Creek and acknowledge we haven’t kept the community well informed.
The bigger picture is that we are amidst the impacts of the El Niño weather pattern and climate change, here and now, and we’re seeing very dry riverbeds across Canterbury.
Added to this, we’re the largest region in the country, with the greatest number of rivers and freshwater sources (78,000km of rivers and streams; 70% of the country’s groundwater) – we’re water central of Aotearoa New Zealand.
This means challenges and the need to make trade-offs – tough calls that weren’t made by previous generations are here and now.
The Ashburton River/Hakatere is an over-allocated catchment with significant challenges, including natural changes in modified environments. We recently undertook water take consent reviews on this part of the Ashburton River/Hakatere, precisely because of these challenges.
The decisions that came from the water take consent reviews are what our team has been working through and grappling with in this particular case. These changes are tough on communities who deserve better conversations about the changes.
Better approach needed to support community
We need a better approach to “just transitions” – supporting our region to adapt to the effects of climate change in as fair a manner as possible.
As Chief Executive, I’m making the call to allow water to be diverted into Greenstreet Creek.
I’m making this decision in the face of climate change and in recognition that we didn’t get the “just transition” conversation right; we own that.
This is not the only place in Canterbury where we will face a challenge like this, but we must work better with our communities and landowners, our rūnanga partners, and the wider public.
The diversion is the immediate action in this current situation. However, future conversations need to happen about how we recognise the needs and interests of the community, our rūnanga partners and the environment itself, to make the hard calls together.
Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge the fish salvage work undertaken by Fish and Game and the local community over recent days – thank you.
