Ashley braided river strategy engagement soon

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, local democracy reporter

Environment Canterbury plans to consult on its Ashley River strategy later this year.

North Canterbury zone manager Andrew Arps says the Rakahuri/Ashley River Braided River Strategy is an important piece of work.

It will be one of the first out of the blocks, along with a Rangitata River strategy, he said.

"We are working through reach by reach to see how it all works together as an over-arching plan.

"ECan is writing the strategy, but it is a multi agency, community approach, which is why the consultation process is important."

The regional council consulted on its masterplan for the Rangiora Reach, at Cones Road, Rangiora, last year, which will be incorporated into the overall strategy.

Some initiatives were already under way, including woody weeds clearance work at the Ashley River Gorge and Okuku River.

The consultation process would identify more work which was needed.
The recent experience of Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island had highlighted the dangers of forestry "slash", Arps said.

"The forestry down here and the terrain is at a different scale, but there are things we need to look at.

"It is a different environment, but there are also risks which is why the clearance of the willows is important work.

"As has been highlighted, we are likely to see more of these events in the future so we need to be as best prepared as we can be."

But the biggest barrier was funding and the council would need more central government support to tackle the problem to prevent a repeat of what was seen in the North Island.

Braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said the strategy would provide an action plan for organisations to work together to restore ecological and riparian corridors, and to re-connect people with the river.

"Community input will be essential to shaping a strategy that helps meet the vision for the people who live, work and play along the river."

The strategy was being co-drafted with Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd to ensure mana whenua input, Stanley said.

An initial draft strategy had been prepared to engage with local community groups which had indicated suggestions for improvement.

For more information, go to www.ecan.govt.nz...