Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee look for community input

The Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee begins a round of community meetings on Tuesday 5 July, to ask specific questions about future land and water management for the Ruamāhanga River catchment.  The series of meetings and an online information space has been designed to engage a wide range of people in the discussion that will guide the committee as they develop an integrated land and water management programme.

"We all want a resilient and connected community that is responsible for the water flowing through our catchment," says Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee deputy chair Esther Dijkstra.  "We have had extensive discussions across the Ruamāhanga River catchment community that has guided our scope and shown us what people value about land and water in this whaitua."

"People throughout the catchment say that improved water quality, along with a sustainable economic and ecological future is important. So are recreational and cultural opportunities in and around our waterways."

The Ruamāhanga Whaitua Committee wants community feedback on a number of key questions: 

• What is the fairest way of restricting water use during the summer?
• What do we need to do to make our rivers swimmable and how long should it take to get there? 
• How should we manage rivers to improve natural character while safe guarding community assets, income and households?

A series of discussions begins in Pirinoa Hall on Tuesday 5 July, 6-8pm, with a second at Kopuaranga Hall on Thursday 7 July 6-8pm.  Further events will take place until mid-August at: Whangaehu Hall, Gladstone Sports Complex, Kiwi Hall Featherston, Carterton Events Centre, Frank Cody Lounge Masterton, Lion's Club Martinborough and the WBS Room Greytown.

The committee is encouraging all members of the community to join the conversation at meetings or online at haveyoursay.gw.govt.nz/ruamahanga-whaitua.   Meeting dates, feedback forms, research, committee papers and more are available online or by calling 0800 496 734.

ENDS

Contact: Media phone: 021 914 266