With talk of meaningful partnerships in Lyttelton at centre stage these past weeks, it was a joy to hear from Yvette Couch-Lewis and her cousin Donald Couch, both from Rapaki, about the newly formed Banks Peninsula Zone Committee for the Canterbury Water Management  Strategy.

Yvette’s eyes were sparkling with energy as we asked her why she was so excited about this role.  “It’s because for the first time we have all the differing views around the table. We will all be able to hear each other and as a team work our way through the complex issues.  This should be meaningful and have real outcomes.  It’s a real partnership approach”.

So what is this committee all about? What is it going to be looking at?  We are told it’s all about improving water quality within the Banks Peninsula; so we asked if it also included the sea zones? They explained that where the streams met the sea, this was where they were  focused on.

Environmental restoration will also be a key part of the committee work. Yvette explained that they are fortunate to have $100,000 that the committee will be able to apply to various stream projects around the Peninsula.  She was really excited about that and you could see her mind dreaming of all the possibilities.

Donald whilst not as outwardly excited as his cousin explained that he was apart of this process because he really cares about fresh water quality and this is his home.

To date Donald said the committee had only met twice.   “There is a long way to go before all the priorities are finalised but they had started general discussions about things that might be considered from the earthquake impacts on springs and streams to the amount of potable water available for settlements and harbour sedimentation”.

Water quality differs through out the Peninsula.  Some places don’t have “town” water like many places around Lyttelton Harbour.  In many of the smaller settlements and places around Akaroa Harbour drinking water comes from the local streams. Quantity and quality of this  water is a big issue.

This new committee is comprised of five community members, four Runanga representatives and two council representatives. Donald is represented via his role as Environment Canterbury Commissioner and Yvette has been selected to be a community member of the team. That in itself is a lovely outcome as Yvette of Nghi Tahu descent, is representing the broader community.

If water quality is of interest to you the committee wants to hear from you and will be engaging both formally and informally with the public.  Share your thoughts directly to ECAN: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it