Waitaki Community Workshops Postponed - 8 December 2003
[ Last Updated 22 December 2005 ]
The second round of community workshops to discuss the draft cost benefit analysis of proposals to take water in the Waitaki catchment will now be held in February, the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) announced today.
The workshops, initially scheduled for 16 December 2003, have been postponed as a result of feedback from participants at community workshops held in November, said MED manager of energy and the environment, Stuart Calman.
"This feedback, and a delay in receiving some necessary information, means the workshops are proposed to be held on February 11 and 12."
MED has commissioned Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) to undertake a cost benefit analysis of proposals to take water in the Waitaki catchment. The analysis will provide a national perspective to an enhanced Resource Management Act process for the Waitaki catchment.
"It will be one method of informing the development of a water allocation framework for the catchment and will also help the Panel of Commissioners who will be making decisions on the Waitaki consent applications."
The November community workshops provided an opportunity to gauge stakeholders’ concerns and provided valuable information and feedback, Mr Calman said.
Invitations confirming dates of the February workshops will be sent out mid January and the draft cost benefit report will be circulated prior to the workshops. Mr Calman said invitations would be sent to all individuals and organisations that have assisted the project team in the development of assumptions for the national cost-benefit analysis, as well as other interested stakeholders.
Any organisations or individuals wishing to be involved in the workshops should contact Justin Ginnivan the Project Manager via email: waitakicba@skm.co.nz or by phoning the SKM Christchurch office 03-379 0135.
For media enquiries, contact Lyn Holland, Ministry of Economic Development, phone 04-474 2891 or 027-4714 3780, email: lyn.holland@med.govt.nz.
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